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• News & Media

  MHEFI Seeks Scholarship Applicants Pursuing Careers in Material Handling and Supply Chain

  November 11, 2026

  MHI

  The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is now accepting scholarship applications from undergraduates preparing for careers in material handling, logistics or supply chain. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to excellence, leadership potential and persistence in their education.To qualify, students must meet the following requirements:•  Be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student pursuing a material handling, logistics or supply chain career at a qualified college or university.•  Be classified as freshman, sophomore, junior or senior for the Fall 2027 term•  Attend a non-profit college or university in the United States accredited by the Council for Higher Education.•  Maintain a "B" grade point average or higher in their majorStudents should also be enrolled in one of the following target programs:•  Industrial engineering•  Mechanical & electrical engineering  (with focus on machine design, structural mechanics, dynamics, or finite element analysis)•  Civil/structural engineering (with focus on cold-formed steel, seismic design, or steel structures)•  Engineering technology• Computer science related to material handling and supply chain•  Supply chain management•  Business administration related to material handling•  Imaging and camera based vision systems identification/bar codes/RFID/LIDAR sensors/RADAR SensorsThe scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $6,000 and must be used for costs relating to tuition, fees, and books associated with attending school full-time. Scholarships are one-year awards. Former recipients of the award are eligible to re-apply each year if they meet the eligibility requirements.The deadline to apply for scholarships is January 29, 2027. To apply and learn more about the requirements, students can visit mhefi.submittable.com/submit.Questions may be sent to Mary Alyson Ammons, MHEFI Executive Director, at mammons@mhi.org. About MHEFIThe Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is an independent charitable organization that was established in 1976. Since 1976, its programs have supported over 1,500 students and educators seeking pathways to quality educational programs and fulfilling careers. The demands of today’s global economy and fast-paced technological change reinforce the need to draw top talent to sustain and strengthen material handling and supply chain businesses for the future. Learn more at mhefi.org. If you would like to support MHEFI’s mission to provide financial support for educational programs, please visit mhi.org/mhefi/donors.About MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,100 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, workforce solution providers, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, the members’ customers, and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association produces the ProMat and MODEX expositions that showcase the products and services of its member companies to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals. The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) is a division of MHI and provides education and research to the warehousing, distribution, and logistics community.

  

• News & Media

  One Scanner, Any Distance: KEYENCE Unveils the BT-A800 Rugged Android™ Mobile Computer

  November 11, 2026

  Keyence Corporation

  New rugged Android™ handheld computer reads barcodes from 1 inch to 150 feet, runs 40 hours per charge, and ships with an upgrade path to Android™ 21KEYENCE Corporation of America today announced the BT-A800, a new rugged Android™ handheld mobile computer engineered to be the most capable and future-focused handheld on the market for barcode scanning applications that feed directly into warehouse management (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Designed for warehouse, logistics, distribution center, and manufacturing operations in industries such as automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, electronics, and semiconductor, the BT-A800 gives teams a single device that scans at any distance, works through the longest shifts, and keeps running in the harshest environments.The BT-A800 is built around four core capabilities that address the most common failure points of mobile computers on the floor: scan range, read performance, battery life, and durability. Scan from 1 inch to 150 feet. A single device reads labels at arm’s length or on pallets stacked on your highest racks, eliminating the need to switch between short- and long-range scanners or to bring a code down closer to you. Behind that range is KEYENCE’s Full-Range Triple Camera — close-, mid-, and ultra-long-range cameras paired with a liquid lens and a long-range, time-of-flight sensor that sets focus instantly, so reads are fast at every distance and reach twice the distance of the previous-generation BT-A700. AI-powered reading of damaged codes and printed text. A dedicated AI core, pre-trained on more than 100,000 images, reliably reads dirty, faded, damaged, and low-contrast barcodes, including direct part marking (DPM) codes. Aim Assist and Sniper Mode let operators target a single code on a label crowded with barcodes, or read from the forklift seat, simply by pointing the laser — with no changes to existing An optional AI-OCR license adds reading of printed and handwritten text such as manufacture dates, lot numbers, expiration dates, and 7-segment displays. 40-hour battery life. Powered by a 40-hour continuous-scan battery, the BT-A800 runs through multiple shifts — a full day in a three-shift, 24/7 warehouse — on a single charge, removing mid-shift battery swaps and charging-dock downtime from the workflow. 5-inch HD display with a 13-foot drop rating. A large 1080 × 1920 Gorilla® Glass screen makes WMS and ERP applications easy to read and operate with one hand, while an IP68-sealed, dust- and water-resistant, ruggedized design — rated for drops of 10 feet onto concrete (13 feet with protector) and 20,000 tumbles — keeps the device in service after the drops, knocks, and impacts of real warehouse and plant-floor use.“At KEYENCE we pride ourselves on innovation. The BT-A800 combines four key technological advancements that have not coexisted before in the market: accurate scanning at long range, incredible ability to scan tough-to-read codes at high speed, 40-hour-work-week battery life, and unparalleled durability. This combination allows our customers to deploy with confidence that the device will keep up: reaching every label, lasting every shift, and surviving every drop, year after year,” said Bryan Franz, Executive Director, KEYENCE Corporation of America. “That is what innovation means at KEYENCE — not a feature for its own sake, but a tool our customers can build their operation around.”Together, these capabilities make the BT-A800 well suited for inventory management, tracking and traceability applications across receiving, put-away, picking, packing, shipping, inventory counts, and work-in-process tracking, as well as lot number and expiration date management — anywhere accurate, real-time barcode data needs to flow into a company’s systems of record.Built for What Comes NextThe BT-A800 is designed to stay current for the life of the deployment. The device ships with Android™ 21 upgradability guaranteed, protecting the investment against OS end-of-life. An octa-core processor with a dedicated AI core, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage provide headroom for increasingly demanding WMS and ERP clients. Connectivity covers Wi-Fi® 7 (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) with 802.11r fast roaming for seamless handoff across large facilities, Bluetooth® 5.4, NFC, and USB Type-C. The BT-A800M model adds 5G/4G LTE with nano SIM and eSIM support plus multi-constellation GNSS for yard, dock, and field operations beyond the Wi-Fi® footprint.“A mobile computer is a long-term decision, and most of them become obsolete long before the hardware wears out,” said Jason Walter, Marketing Director, KEYENCE Corporation of America. “Our customers are being asked to track more, prove more, while being faster than ever, and those requirements keep rising. With an upgrade path through Android™ 21 and the processing headroom to run tomorrow’s WMS and ERP clients, the BT-A800 is built to meet that demand for years to come. It reflects where we believe the mobile computing category has to go.”Enterprise deployment is equally streamlined. The BT-A800 is Android™ Enterprise Recommended (AER) certified, supports OEMConfig for managed configuration through leading enterprise mobility management platforms, and is Zero-Touch Enrollment (ZTE) enabled, so IT teams can provision devices out of the box and roll out fleets with minimal hands-on setup. KEYENCE’s BT Management Tool adds centralized device monitoring, remote access, and operation-log analysis across many devices and locations, and the BT-A800 integrates with WMS, ERP, and MES systems through terminal emulation, web browser, embedded application, or remote desktop connections.A 13-megapixel autofocus camera supports proof-of-delivery and damage documentation, and the device operates from −20°C to +50°C (−4°F to 122°F), enabling use in frozen and refrigerated warehouses and other cold-storage environments below freezing. At approximately 430 g (15.17 oz), the BT-A800 remains comfortable for full-shift use.AvailabilityThe BT-A800 is now available beginning November 9, 2026, in the United States and other regions. For more information, to request a demonstration, or to speak with a KEYENCE representative, visit keyence.com/onescanneranydistance or contact your local sales representative at 1-888-539-3623.ContactJason WalterMarketing DirectorJason.Walter@keyence.com513-260-5540About KEYENCE Corporation of AmericaKEYENCE Corporation of America, a subsidiary of KEYENCE Corporation (founded in Japan in 1974), was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. KEYENCE serves more than 400,000 customers in 110 countries worldwide. KEYENCE designs and manufactures sensors, barcode readers, mobile computers, machine vision systems, measurement instruments, laser markers, and microscopes for manufacturers in industries including automotive, semiconductor, electronics, medical device, packaging, food, and pharmaceutical. Through its direct sales model, KEYENCE’s technical sales engineers provide on-site demonstrations, application testing, and fast support, with same-day shipping available. KEYENCE has been recognized on Forbes’ list of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies.” For more information, visit keyence.com.

  

• News & Media

  Moffett Automation Begins Construction of €4 Million Centre of Excellence at Monaghan Headquarters

  November 10, 2026

  Moffett Automation

  Moffett Automation has begun groundwork on a new Centre of Excellence at its headquarters in Clontibret, Co. Monaghan. Representing a €4 million investment, the facility will support research and development and provide a dedicated space to showcase the company’s warehouse automation systems.The new Centre of Excellence will provide a practical setting for developing and demonstrating how software intelligence and engineered automation work together around the needs of warehouse operations.Moffett Automation’s integrated offer combines software intelligence, engineered automation and lifecycle support. The company works through a global network of integrator partners, as well as direct project delivery.Founder and Managing Director Sam Moffett said: “Starting work on our new Centre of Excellence is an important step for Moffett Automation and our team in Monaghan.“Warehouse automation depends on software and engineering working together in practice. Our ambition for this facility is to support research and development and demonstrate that integration, informed by the challenges our clients and partners face every day.”The start of groundwork marks the first stage of construction at the headquarters site.About Moffett AutomationBased in Clontibret, Co. Monaghan, Moffett Automation designs and delivers integrated automated warehousing systems, combining in-house software, engineered automation, project delivery and lifecycle support. Its approach brings these capabilities together around the requirements of each warehouse operation.

  

• News & Media

  KUKA to Feature Advanced Industrial Robot and Mobile Automation at the Smart Technology Expo 2026

  November 9, 2026

  KUKA Robotics Corporation

  SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Michigan, November 3, 2026 – Spotlighting its latest industrial and mobile automation technologies, KUKA Robotics will feature a KR AGILUS industrial robot and an LBR iisy collaborative robot, both equipped with the new KR C5 micro-2 controller, alongside the KMP 250P autonomous mobile robot (AMR) at Smart Technology Expo 2026.  The event will take place November 18-20 at Expo Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico, where KUKA will exhibit in booth C20. In the booth, KUKA will demonstrate a pick-and-place application featuring a KR AGILUS industrial robot handling KUKA giveaways. Designed for high-speed, precise operation, the compact, six-axis KR AGILUS is well suited for applications requiring efficient handling in confined spaces. Available in a range of payload capacities, reaches and mounting configurations, the KR AGILUS series offers flexibility for a variety of industrial applications, including material handling, assembly and packaging.KUKA will also showcase intelligent 3D vision-guided picking with the LBR iisy collaborative robot and Mech-Vision software from Mech-Mind. The demonstration will highlight how 3D machine vision enables the robot to identify and locate objects, supporting accurate picking without relying on fixed part positions. Mech-Vision simplifies the development of vision-guided automation applications, from bin picking and machine tending to piece picking, depalletizing, palletizing and assembly.The LBR iisy is a lightweight, six-axis cobot designed for easy integration, intuitive operation and safe human-robot collaboration. Equipped with integrated joint torque sensors for collision detection and sensitive operation, the cobot can be programmed through simple manual guidance, reducing the need for extensive programming knowledge.Equipped with the iiQKA.OS2 operating system, the KR AGILUS and LBR iisy cobot allow users to start small and scale automation across multiple robots, applications, and production lines – from high-mix, low-volume production to serial manufacturing. With a virtual robot controller (VRC), the iiQKA.OS2 offers comprehensive engineering and innovative features that enable efficient virtual startup and optimized processes. Developed for maximum performance, it is both standard-compliant and cyber-resilient while allowing for faster setups and commissioning.KUKA’s flexible KMP 250P autonomous mobile robot platform transports goods and components weighing up to 250kg and can be optionally equipped with a lifting unit. Its differential drive enables maneuverability in confined spaces, making it ideal for material transport in production and warehouse environments.For safe operation, two diagonally mounted laser scanners, combined with 3D cameras, provide 360-degree protection. If an obstacle is identified in the path, the KMP 250P automatically and safely bypasses it if there is sufficient space, or the robot automatically comes to a full stop.The KMP 250P can be integrated into a mixed fleet of KUKA AMRs and managed using KUKA.AMR Fleet software, with support for the standard VDA 5050 communication interface. An extended sleep mode allows operators to conveniently place even large fleets in standby, making fleet management and operation more efficient.Christopher Hernández, Managing Director of KUKA Mexico, will participate in the panel discussion “The Future of Manufacturing: How Automation Is Redefining Manufacturing in Mexico” on Wednesday, November 18 at 1:40 PM on the Smart Insights Theater Stage. Hernández will join Klaus von Moltke, President and CEO of BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí, with Fernando Ibarra, President of Alianza 4 Cero, serving as moderator.All KUKA automation solutions, including those shown during the Smart Technology Expo 2026, are backed by the company’s expert service and support for training, complete system engineering and simulation, readily available spare parts, robot refurbishment and more, all of which are easily accessible through the my.KUKA.com site.About KUKA KUKA is an international automation group with sales of around EUR 3.7 billion and approximately 15,000 employees. As one of the world's leading suppliers of intelligent, resource-saving automation solutions, KUKA offers industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) including controllers, software, and cloud-based digital services, as well as fully networked production systems for various industries – primarily for markets such as automotive with a focus on e-mobility & battery, electronics, metal & plastic, consumer goods, food, e-commerce, retail, and healthcare. The company is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany.

  

MHI UPCOMING EVENTS

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MHI & WERC Industry Hangouts

Ontario, Canada

August 20, 2026

Join us for an Industry Hangout at The Port House Social Bar &  Kitchen in Burlington, Ontario - where great conversations meet good times.

Hosted by MHI and WERC, this Industry Hangout is your chance to connect with fellow supply chain professionals in a fun, energetic atmosphere. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while expanding your network ! 

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MHI Annual Conference 2026

Palm Springs, CA

Sep 27-30, 2026

The MHI Annual Conference is an interactive thought leadership event for manufacturing, material handling and supply chain professionals that focuses on the technology innovation taking place across the supply chain industry—and the associated workforce challenges highlighted in the MHI Annual Industry Report.

Register Now

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