NA 2000: winning the productivity game

The recent North American Material Handling Show and Forum opened the door to the next century of materials handling.

By -- Modern Materials Handling, 6/1/2000

With checkerboard squares in the carpeting and over-sized gameboard pawns that served as set decoration, the "get in the game" theme was played very well by exhibitors and attendees alike at the North American 2000 Material Handling Show and Forum in Detroit.

"The game is the pursuit of productivity improvements," says John B. Nofsinger, chief executive officer of Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), sponsor of NA 2000, held in April. "To win, you need the equipment and systems from the leaders in the materials handling industry."

NA 2000 was the fifth materials handling show to be sponsored in Detroit. And with an estimated 424 exhibitors, over 178,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, and approximately 25,000 attendees, it was also the largest show to be hosted in Motown. Materials handling solutions ran the gamut from conveyors to software.

"With $60 billion in annual revenue and more than 300,000 employees, this is clearly one of the industries that is driving our economy," said Freman Hendrix, deputy mayor, city of Detroit, in his welcoming remarks.

As our economy drives forward, however, one constant in business today is not just change, but the rapid pace of change, said Nofsinger and other organization members at a NA 2000 press conference.

"I think it's safe to say that between now and the ProMat show next February, the floor will look very different than it does today," said Nofsinger. "The mergers and e-commerce initiatives we're seeing today are just the beginning. It's becoming complicated for all the small players, and going to change the fiber of the organization overnight."

In response to the changing world of materials handling where traditional barriers are falling, MHIA has illustrated that changing world with a new symbol: A globe depicting trains, planes, trucks, fork lifts, ships, and conveyors spanning a world with no building or borders.

"That speaks to the vision of materials handling and logistics as an infrastructure of flow throughout the world," says William R. Michaels, executive chairman, Material Handling Industry of America Board of Governors.

And as the world changes from an old economy to a new economy and a synthesis of the two, professional education is more important than ever. Providing the resources, research, and training, that logistics professionals need to remain current is the mission of the Materials Handling Institute (MHI), says Dr. Richard E. Ward, president of MHI.

Ward organizes the seminars at NA 2000 and ProMat. "We don't just offer information about the proper application of equipment, technology, and trends," he says. "We also teach by example, showcasing the examples of users who've made significant investments and can share the lessons learned in a positive way."

The message Ward hoped attendees would take home from NA 2000 was this: "If your own professional development stops, you'll fall behind. There are too many changes in business today."

Looking towards the future to ProMat 2001, to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from Feb. 12-15, the slogan will be "Stake Your Claim in Productivity City." MHIA has contracted for 300,000 sq ft of exhibition space, 30,000 sq. ft. more than they had in '99 and 70% is already sold. Expect to see a significant presence from third party logistics, in both exhibitors and attendees.

For more information, exhibitors can contact Tom Carbott or Bill Capps at 704-676-1190. Information about registering for the show is available online at www.mhia.org .