Modern Materials Handling Magazine Archives

In Indiana, Guardian Industries is using autonomous vehicles to lean out its processes, create a safer work environment and ensure more consistency in delivery of materials to its work cells.

Modex will mark the first in-person materials handling trade show of its size since early March 2020.

A fulfillment solution from Fetch Robotics and parent company Zebra Technologies looks to simultaneously manage human labor and mobile robots, in what’s shaping up as a trend aimed at helping labor-constrained operations.

Our annual automation survey finds increasing budgets for automation and rising interest in automated solutions with reliable parts availability, as well as turnkey, integrated solutions. And though budgets are up, stresses show around labor availability, raising its importance as a driver for automation.

Modex 2022 will feature hundreds of solution provider exhibits, educational sessions and keynote presentations featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Sanjay Gupta and Marriott’s Erika Alexander.

The labor crunch is a serious issue, not just for front-line employees in DC and other supply chain sites, but when it comes to higher-level supply chain talent, too. We surveyed supply chain professionals and found less than one-third feel their companies are highly prepared to handle demand with current staff, while two-thirds have increased wages to try to retain more people.

Building on faster, more robust communications networks, wireless devices from handheld terminals to autonomous mobile robots are on a path to increasing operational efficiencies, regardless of workforce challenges.

If you’ve left decisions about conveyor motors, gearboxes and the like to your OEM, now would be a good time to reconsider. Many end users are starting to get more involved as the options from hardware to data management place new pressures on how power transmission equipment keeps your facility running.

In the UK, Crown Paints used voice to bring productivity gains to its pallet-build process that supports the growing need for mixed-SKU pallets needed by its network of 130 decorating centers.

What if you could get away from that large, centralized palletizer fed by a maze of fixed conveyor that too often seems in the way? Not a bad idea. Here’s an option that doesn’t require more people to make up for newfound flexibility.

Sensors must be kept clean, but safe and steady autonomous operation should minimize unplanned repairs.

Modern's editor sat down with Daniel to discuss the upcoming MODEX Show.