ProMatDX: MHI announces the 2021 Innovation Award winners

On April 12 at the keynote, MHI CEO John Paxton introduced the winners of the 2021 MHI Innovation Awards for Best New Innovation, Best IT Innovation, and Best Innovation of an Existing Product. After receiving 92 submissions for this year’s awards, eight independent judges comprised of professionals from the materials handling and supply chain industry completed the initial vetting process.

Ten finalists were chosen as the most innovative products in each category—Best New Innovation; Best Innovation of an Existing Product; and Best IT Innovation based on concept, value and impact.

“We’ve been doing the Innovation Awards since 2014,” said Paxton, “and the purpose is to really bring forth the latest innovations and insights in manufacturing and supply chain.” This year’s winners were:

For the Best Innovation of an Existing Product
Packsize International for Packsize X7 Automated In-line Packaging and Fulfillment Solution.
The system provides the ability to efficiently create and pack right-sized boxes reliably and at high speed.

For the Best IT Innovation
4Front Engineered Solutions for 4SIGHT Connect Digital Gate.
The 4SIGHT Connect Digital Gate enables truck drivers to conduct touchless check-in/check-out and fosters real-time communication between facilities, carriers and truck drivers that provides visibility on shipments from start to finish.

For the Best New Product Innovation
ThruWave for ThruWave X2 millimeter Wave Imaging System.
This innovative 3D millimeter wave imaging technology can “see through” opaque packaging like corrugated boxes and plastic totes in order to automatically dimension items, count items and detect anomalies without opening sealed packaging.

   
Once the award winners were announced, representatives from the winning companies were asked a series of questions related to their products and industry trends (for example, how does your product help a company improve labor efficiencies?).

On behalf of MHI, Paxton congratulated the winners of the 2021 MHI Innovation Awards, the panel participants, and attendees for “being part of an important conversation that will no doubt advance and inspire future innovations in the industry.”