MODEX 2022 RECAP

This year, Felins exhibited at MODEX 2022 for the first time. The Felins team were very impressed by the number of attendees, quality of discussions with other industry leaders, and opportunities for networking through events organized by MHI. MHI is the association for the material handling industry, with a network of 800 members covering material handling and logistics equipment companies, systems and software manufacturers, consultants, systems integrators and simulators, and third-party logistics providers. MHI hosts the ProMat and MODEX trade show events, alternating each year with the other.

Representing Felins in the E-Commerce Industry, is Gina Barrieau, Banding Sales Manager for E-Commerce. Gina has an extensive knowledge in the manufacturing, packaging, and fulfillment industries and attended numerous sessions each day of the MODEX show.

There were two common goals for many companies in the industry, both goals were loud and clear: intelligent, autonomous supply chains and an emphasis on sustainability. The first goal focused specifically on data – how to capture and use data effectively in order to maximize automation. Such as ensuring that warehouse systems from Management to Control to Execution communicate well together with automation and AI. The second goal focused on the impact of packaging to better the planet and improve customer satisfaction.

Conveyco had some great starting points for AMR (autonomous mobile robots), which have seen exponential growth over the last few years as the e-commerce industry and supply chain logistics operations need to innovate in order to answer new challenges. Their slide below on the Initial AMR Steps to Success highlighted everything companies needed to focus on to ensure the best business trajectory when implementing automation.

Hanko Kiessner with Packsize hosted a presentation and highlighted the current consumer trends and their implications: environmental concerns from consumers are dominating the industry with 87% of consumers ordering online 4+ times a week patronizing brands that demonstrate a lower carbon footprint. The numbers are quite powerful, not just from a consumer standpoint but for the planet and overall industry ROI as well. With boxes being on average 40% too large, Hanko quantified the benefits of right-sized packaging as being able to save 98 million trees and avoid 24 million truckloads!

After the show, the Felins team spent some quality time together with cocktails and a family-style dinner at Kyma, a Greek restaurant located in Buckhead just north of downtown Atlanta. Tradeshows in the packaging industry, or even tradeshows in the manufacturing industry, usually are preceded with a reputation that deems them to be not-so-fun. We at Felins believe that it’s about bringing the fun to the show, as well as the company you keep. Our team knows that tradeshows such as MODEX are a valuable way for customers, both new and existing, to see our packaging technologies and e-commerce solutions in person. The conversations that occur within the convention center walls and the connection that a company has with our team of experts can be the deciding factor for decision makers within supply chain companies. As such, we always remain positive and dedicated to providing the best experience from the show floor all the way through to installation and beyond.

With the availability of such high-quality educational sessions, sessions with industry leaders sharing their experiences, and opportunities for discussion within multiple supply chain networks - it’s no wonder why MODEX drew in over 37,000 visitors. With over 857 exhibitors spanning 405,000 square feet of exhibit space in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, this year’s MODEX was the largest event to date for MHI.

Felins will be exhibiting at ProMat 2023 in Chicago. If you're attending and would like to schedule a time to meet with one of our team members, please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss ideas, solutions, or show you a demonstration. For more information and to register for the tradeshow, please click here.