Some events are big. Others are bigger than big. And the latter exactly describes the CeMat World's Fair for Materials Handling held at the Hannover, Germany, fairgrounds in late April. Some 1,000 exhibitors in eight large halls attracted 80,000 visitors to the biennial event, which was held simultaneously with other industry exhibitions at Hannover Fair (www.messe.de).

Billed as "the world's most comprehensive showcase for automated and intelligent materials handling and logistics systems," the event featured a full range of products, from lift trucks and conveyors to automated storage and handling systems and related software.

New developments in storage, staging and order fulfillment were prominently featured at many exhibits. Attendees saw new record setting, high-speed storage/retrieval machines for automated storage systems. Some exhibitors demonstrated new ways to use automated storage to speed order fulfillment. High-speed sortation systems for e-fulfillment and other operations were prominently featured, too. And for the first time, manufacturers of pick-to-light systems, which enjoy great popularity in the United States, were out in force to introduce their products to Europe.

Other notable developments included new power systems for automated, electrified monorails and automatic guided vehicles that promise to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements. Some lift truck makers extended AC power, which has long been used in Europe, to new models. New narrow-aisle lift trucks also made their debut.

Software advances included new warehouse management systems (WMS) and other packages for streamlining the supply chain.

A comprehensive report about CeMat will appear in next month's issue of Modern Materials Handling.