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Thursday, January 15th, 2009: ProMat 2009 Concludes Today

Today marks the conclusion of ProMat 2009, four days of comprehensive problem solving and networking to provide solutions to the complex manufacturing and supply chain challenges faced by industry today.

You have seen these challenges addressed in over 100 educational conference sessions and then experienced first hand the solutions demonstrated on the ProMat 2009 show floor by over 700 exhibiting companies.

Now the real work begins, applying the solutions discovered here to your business to cut costs and increase productivity and safety in the years ahead. Even though ProMat 2009 closes today, it continues on-line at www.ProMatShow.com as an on-going resource to both exhibitors and attendees - free PDF downloads of ProMat Educational Seminar presentations are now available, and free on-demand webcasts of the same are coming soon! Click here to begin your search. (Once you’ve reached your session of interest, scroll down the page to "Seminar Materials" for available downloads.)

The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) will sponsor another world-class trade event in April 2010. The 2010 North American Material Handling & Logistics Show (NA 2010) will be held April 26-29, 2010 at Cleveland’s I-X Center.

NA 2010 will be the largest material handling and logistics exhibition held in the United States in 2010. Over 400 exhibitors, 70+ educational sessions, and attendees from over 60 countries around the world will come together at NA 2010 to match the Industry’s leading solutions to manufacturing and supply chain needs.

More information, and free on-line registration, for NA 2010 can be found at www.NAShow.com.

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009: Training and Certifying the Workforce of the Future Event Coming to ProMat 2009

A seminar entitled Training and Certifying the Workforce of the Future will be held on Wednesday, January 14 during ProMat at McCormick Place. During the seminar, Industry experts will discuss how they are meeting this fast approaching shortage.

During the seminar, leading trade associations will share information on their programs to educate and train current and potential employees. These associations include: APICS, CSCMP, ISM, WERC, MHEDA and MHIA.

In addition, vocational high schools and vocational/technical community colleges will share their successes in bringing this much needed training to local communities. Information on how to start a program in your area will be included. The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) will also provide information and procedures for educating and certifying existing and potential workers as Certified Logistics Associates (CLA) and Certified Logistics Technicians (CLT).

Tuesday, January 13, 2009: Today’s Keynote To Address Supply Chain Workforce of the Future

Today, renowned journalist Forrest Sawyer moderated a Keynote Panel entitled Building the Workforce of the Future at the ProMat 2009 Show and Conference.

During the Keynote Sawyer described how the world’s labor force is changing. He noted that Baby Boomers are beginning to retire, setting the stage for major shifts in workplace demographics including a declining working population through 2025. He noted that, at the same time, skill sets are rapidly changing. "Life/Work balance is taking on new meaning. And there is often a huge disconnect between people already in the workforce and those just entering it. That is disruptive demographics, and the implications for manufacturing and the supply chain are far-reaching," said Sawyer. That set the stage for the keynotes panel of five experts at the forefront of this important issue:

The panel discussed how worker shortages in key areas such as manufacturing, engineering and distribution are impacting productivity and profitability. They then discussed successful strategies for attracting and retaining the next generation of workers who have different motivations and reward structures from their predecessors.

MHIA To Host Workforce of the Future Pavilion at ProMat 2009

Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) will host a Workforce of the Future Pavilion at ProMat 2009. The Pavilion is a show floor resource center to help attendees better understand how the looming shortage of supply chain workers will impact their firms. By visiting, attendees can learn what to do now to attract, train and retain the next generation of skilled workers.

Organizations Expected to Participate in the Workforce of the Future Pavilion are:

• Banner Center for Logistics and Distribution
• Chicago Public Schools: Education to Careers
• College Industry Council on Material Handling Education
• Material Handling Education Foundation
• Lehigh Career and Technical Institute
• Manufacturing Skill Standards Council
• Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) Gateway Program
• Rock Hill Schools: Donald Frazier Material Handling Technical Training Program
• Warehouse Education Research Council
• Worker Centric Warehouses - Auburn University Research Project

Material Handling and Logistics: What's next for the industry?

Halfway through ProMat 2009 John Nofsinger, CEO of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) took a look at what's ahead for the industry and users of the material handling and logistics equipment and technology.

Mr. Nofsinger opened the conference by emphasizing that "material handling and logistics, when thought of as a process, remains at the core of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal activities—and, indeed at the supply chain." Mr. Nofsinger stated that the state of the $156 billion material handling and logistics industry is healthy and currently employs an estimated 700,000 workers in the United States alone. Mr. Nofsinger then shared some facts and views on the economic state of the material handling & logistics industry according to the MHIA Roundtable Leaders.

Nofsinger continued by stating that by looking at the Industry on a rate of change basis and comparing to various leading indexes, the market outlook for the material handling and logistics industry is for a contraction in 2008-10.

According to Nofsinger, "As far as new orders, MHIA's forecast is for a decline of new orders in 2009 in the 18.0% to 20.0% range recovering late in 2010."

Nofsinger cited the Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (MHEM) Forecast ($29.6 Billion) as a proxy for the overall industry stating that 2008 total US Consumption is estimated to have been up 5.3%. New orders grew 2.3% while shipments grew 6.9%.

According to Nofsinger, MHIA is predicting shipments to contract 15.0% in 2009 and 3.0% in 2010. Overall domestic Demand (shipments plus imports less exports) is expected to contract about 15.0% in 2009. After a period of significant expansion, exports are forecasted to decline in 2009 and 2010 as demand in the global economy contracts.

Mr. Nofsinger then discussed MHIA communication activities and trade events. He explained that MHIA has organized major industry events like ProMat 2009 and NA 2010 (held April 26-29, 2010 in Cleveland’s I-X Center) since the late 1940’s. "The broad goals and objectives of these events have remained largely unchanged over the years; that being to present the best of the best products and technologies to a wide audience of partners and practitioners who would benefit by their application," according to Nofsinger.

Mr. Nofsinger then discussed the ongoing development of MHIA.org as an Industry research tool and explained how all the industry initiatives for membership, education, publications, events and the Web will work together to make MHIA an even greater representative for the material handling and logistics industry.

Mr. Nofsinger then noted the important work MHIA is doing as a founding member of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) and noted that ALAN has an exhibit on the ProMat show floor.

Mr. Nofsinger then introduced Steve Schoeny, Director of the Strategic Business Investment Division of the Ohio Department of Development. Mr. Schoeny announced their collaboration with MHIA to create a Material Handling & Logistics Week April 26-May 2 in conjunction with the NA 2010 event.

Hal Vandiver then concluded the conference with a discussion on the Overhead Alliance. The Overhead Alliance is a marketing work group serving the Crane Manufacturer’s Association of America (CMAA), Hoist Manufacturer’s Institute, and the Monorail Manufacturer’s Association (MMA) to promote overhead material handling solutions.

Monday, January 12, 2009: ProMat 2009 Opens In Chicago

The best and brightest of the material handling and logistics industry are in Chicago this week for ProMat 2009. ProMat 2009 is the largest and material handling and logistics trade event held in North America. Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) Chairman George Prest opened the ProMat 2009 show for the enthusiastic attendees. Also present for the show opening ceremony were, David Hanson, Commissioner, City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Brian McNamara, Last Retiring Executive Chairman of Material Handling Industry, Larry Strayhorn, Vice Chairman of Material Handling Industry and John Nofsinger, CEO of MHIA.

Over the next four days, 700 plus material handling and logistics providers will be showcasing their productivity solutions for warehousing, manufacturing, logistics and distribution operations. ProMat will also feature a Keynote on Building the Workforce of the Future and 100 show floor educational sessions. ProMat 2009 is sponsored by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and is being held at Chicago’s McCormick Place South today through Thursday.

Click here to find out what’s new at ProMat 2009.

Knowledge Center Showcased Material Handling & Logistics Education At ProMat 2009

ProMat 2009 will showcase the latest solutions essential to the productivity of your manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations when it opens its doors today at Chicago’s McCormick Place South. ProMat 2009 will feature Four Solution Centers, over 700 exhibits covering 300,000 square feet, 100 free Educational Sessions, and a Keynote on Building the Workforce of the Future.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, ProMat 2009 will feature on-show-floor Seminars, Free to all registered Show attendees. Industry-focused, 45 minute Seminars hosted by industry experts in material handling and logistics solutions will be conducted in specially designed theaters right on the show floor in the ProMat 2009 Knowledge Centers.

The following sponsoring companies will be speaking at ProMat:

Platinum Sponsors: Accu-Sort Systems, Daifuku America Corporation, Dematic Corp., Diamond Phoenix Corp., enVista, FKI Logistex, FastPic Systems, Fortna, Inc., Intelligrated Inc., Manhattan Associates, ORBIS, Overhead Alliance (CMAA / HMI / MMA), Psion Teklogix Corporation, Remstar International, St. Onge Co., TranSystems, Vocollect

Gold Sponsors: EnerSys, Inc., HighJump Software, Hyster Company, I.D. Systems,
Inc., Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corporation, Peach State Integrated Technologies Inc.,
Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI), The Raymond Corporation, RedPrairie, Sedlak,
Sologlobe, Tom Zosel Associates, Ltd., VARGO Companies, Yale Materials Handling
Corp.

Silver Sponsors: AL Systems Inc., ASAP Automation LLC, Cornerstone Specialty
Wood Products, Egemin Automation Inc., Interroll Corporation USA, JBT Corporation
(formerly FMC Technologies), Jacobs, The Kennedy Group, Kiva Systems, LXE Inc., Millennium Industrial Tire LLC, Rehrig Pacific Company, SI Systems, Sky-Trax, TGW-ERMANCO INC., Tompkins Associates

For complete information on the ProMat 2009 Educational Conference including session details, visit http://www.promatshow.com/attendees/sessions.aspx. Webinars of these sessions will be available at this link after the show.

Colleges & Universities To Tour The ProMat 2009 Show Floor Today
Students and faculty will have an opportunity to see the latest material handling and logistics solutions in person today at ProMat 2009’s Material Handling Classroom Day. Go to http://www.promatshow.com/press/press_promat.aspx#mark00 to learn more.

At ProMat you will:

• Discover the manufacturing and supply chain solutions of 800 of the top material handling & logistics providers;
• See and operate the best and newest manufacturing, distribution and IT solutions and evaluate for yourself the ones you need to make your supply chain work more productively and profitably;
• Get the inside view on how to successfully implement the latest innovations into your manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations to drive new revenues, improve visibility, and reduce risk;
• Gain insights from others in your industry on how to increase industrial productivity and cut costs;
• Benefit from the expertise and experience of industry leaders in over 100 educational sessions addressing best practices, new equipment developments, and leading trends.
• Learn how disruptive labor demographics will impact your bottom line and what you can do now to build your workforce of the future.

Register Today to Attend ProMat 2009. It's free and easy, and it's your first step toward finding the latest solutions that make your supply chain work.