So long NA, hello ProMat

The exit signs say it all: Thanks for coming to NA08. See you at ProMat09.

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 4/23/2008 11:44:00 AM

With the Cleveland show winding down, all eyes are on Chicago next January. If early numbers are an indicator of what’s to come, the show is on track to be the biggest ProMat ever, according to Tom Carbott, vice president of sales for the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), host of the show.

“After the space draw last November, we were significantly in front of our numbers from the previous show,” Carbott said. “We’re projecting to have more than 800 exhibitors and in excess of 300,000 square feet of exhibition space.”

There were 87 exhibitors here at NA08 that had never exhibited at NA, ProMat or another MHIA event. This is another trend that Carbott expects to continue at ProMat. “We’re seeing companies enter the materials handling industry from a number of sectors,” Carbott said. “It’s everything from containers to pallets to software to lifting devices.”

John Nofsinger, MHIA’s CEO, expects to see several trends from this show continue next year. “The automation side of the industry is doing well now,” Nofsinger said. “Part of that is a result of deals already booked. But another part of that is a result of the challenge of finding enough workers. Technologies that can deal with that issue are getting play.”

A related development, Nofsinger added, is an interest in worker assist devices. “We’re finding a renewed interest in looking at the worker rather than just the workplace,” Nofsinger said. “Companies that can find talent want to keep their employees safe and productive in the workplace.”

Finally, expect to see a renewed emphasis on just what’s new in the marketplace. “The No. 1 reason visitors tell us they come to a show like ProMat is to see new things,” said Nofsinger. “We’re going to work with exhibitors to identify what’s new and get that message out for attendees.”