Reader Survey

Following heavy investment in 2014, many users of supply chain software have backed off from spending as they settle into their new systems. Nonetheless, the software market continues to steadily grow as concerns fall away.

Though often characterized by feast or famine, this year’s view into warehouse and distribution center spending plans instead strengthens a pattern of deliberate investment. Today, readers are determined to get the most out of every dollar spent.

Modern Material Handling’s first-annual Maintenance Study reveals fairly high adoption rates for automated warehouse systems and an ongoing need for quality maintenance support and skilled technicians to manage these setups.

Modern’s annual reader survey gives insight on pooling, customer compliance, used wood pallets and other trends, though price still rules as the top driver.

With plans to buy a total of more than 1,100 lift trucks in coming months, readers share their perspectives on spending, maintenance practices and technology usage.

Manufacturers and distributors have been on an automation binge. We asked Modern’s readers what those plans may mean for the conveyor and sortation industry.

Compensation continues to climb steadily upward in the materials handling industry, which is overwhelmingly populated with satisfied veteran employees.

If you like research, and you know we do, then you’re going to love this issue of Modern.

From wood to plastic to pallet pools, our readers tell us what’s important in pallets.

Modern readers tell us how they’re buying, using and maintaining their fleet

Modern readers evaluate their usage of materials handling software technology, its value to their organizations, and spending plans for expanding and updating existing applications.

With new distribution requirements and more investment in automation underway, Modern set out to find how readers are now approaching the use of conveyors and sortation systems.

Our annual outlook survey finds the industry steadying for a new, slower pace of growth following the release of pent-up demand after the downturn. Yet, even as planned spending drops off, facility activity is the highest since 2007—signaling that “doing more with less” has stuck.

From wood to plastic to pallet pools, our readers tell us what’s important in pallets.

A record response reveals that readership is divided in terms of investment: One side remains cautious, while the other is on the verge of making significant changes to their warehouse/DC operations.