55% say they are increasing their investment in supply chain tech and innovation and 60% are planning to invest over $1 millionChicago, IL – A new report released today by MHI and Deloitte finds that 55% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments with 60% saying they are planning to spend over $1 million. Nineteen percent plan to spend over $10 million.This investment includes solutions for orchestrated, end-to-end solutions between tech and human workers, according to the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, “The Digital Supply Chain Ecosystem: Orchestrating End-to-End Solutions.” The report provides new insights into trends and technologies that are transforming supply chains and the priorities of the people who run them.As a result of these increased investments, adoption of the 11 categories of technology covered in the report is predicted to rise over the next five years.• Inventory and Network Optimization – 92%• Cloud Computing and Storage – 91%• Sensors and Automatic Identification – 88%• Predictive Analytics – 87%• Robotics and Automation – 83%• Artificial Intelligence – 82%• Internet of Things – 77%• Wearable and Mobile Technology – 72%• Autonomous Vehicles and Drones – 64%• 3D Printing – 57%• Blockchain – 54%The 2025 report, the twelfth in a series of annual industry reports published by MHI and Deloitte, provides updates on the innovative technologies that have the most potential to transform supply chains in an orchestrated way that maximizes performance gains while also empowering workers.Today’s business environment is increasingly complex and volatile requiring a more integrated and agile approach to supply chain management. End-to-end supply chain orchestration, which seamlessly connects every stage of the supply chain, has emerged as a critical strategy for organizations to remain competitive.“These are exciting times for the supply chain industry as we see the orchestration of technology and talent coming to the forefront,” said John Paxton, CEO of MHI. “The future of supply chains will center around striking the right combination of human talent and technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.”AI Adoption is SurgingAdoption of artificial intelligence is expected to rise dramatically, with 28% reporting that it's in use today, and another 54% reporting that they plan to have it in use within 5 years, making the 5-year total nearly triple that of today at 82% by 2029.AI is already adding value in a wide range of supply chain processes, from inventory management to demand planning to logistics. Moving forward, supply chain organizations will be increasingly leveraging AI to enhance all aspects of their operations. Agentic AI—which can operate independently without human guidance or oversight—specifically has the potential to quickly and proactively address disruptions, enhance forecasting precision, and improve overall visibility within the supply chain.“As the promise of agentic AI for warehouse process automation, real-time inventory visibility, predictive maintenance, and demand forecasting grows, high-quality data will be essential to utilizing this technology to drive efficiency and agility. Additionally, predictable and ethical behavior from AI solutions will be a focus.” said Paxton.Inflation and Economic Uncertainty Top the List of Key Trends Impacting Supply Chains in 2025 According to this year’s respondents, the top five most impactful supply chain trends are: inflation (38%); economic uncertainty (37%); workforce and talent shortages (35%); supply chain agility and resiliency (28%); and inventory challenges (25%).1. InflationDespite concerns about inflation, interest rate policies and economic uncertainty, the foundation of the US economy remains robust and current data suggests that year-on-year inflation will ease in 2025, although the evolving tariff policies could alter the outlook. The bottom line is that while inflation is a headwind against investment in new supply chain capabilities, those headwinds will likely be more than offset by the resulting efficiency gains and reducing the reliance on scarce talent.2. Economic UncertaintyOngoing geopolitical tensions and recent political shocks, both domestically and globally, have increased uncertainty for global trade. Trade restrictions will require policy revisions that contribute to economic uncertainty and will have an impact on supply chains.3. Workforce and Talent ShortageA major impetus for companies to automate and implement AI is the ongoing decline in supply chain labor force participation—a trend that seems likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Also, automated facilities with end-to-end orchestration requires worker reskilling for work in digital supply chain environments.4. Supply Chain Agility and ResiliencyContinued expansion of product portfolios and supplier networks across manufacturers is making supply chains more complex and more vulnerable than ever, creating more potential points of failure and ripple effects across the supply network. This has made supply chain resiliency and agility a top priority that will likely remain for years to come. Technology is driving this resiliency by providing real-time visibility and actionable data for operations.5. Inventory ChallengesGiven all these other challenges, companies are holding more inventory (and paying more to hold it). Also, economic uncertainty is making demand forecasting even trickier.As supply chain organizations wrestle with these forces—and work to embrace and integrate new technologies—they continue to broadly focus on strengthening their operations to withstand future challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities, both of which are crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage in a dynamic global marketplace.The Next Five Tech-Specific Trends Shaping Supply ChainsIn addition to the five trends noted above, this year’s survey identified five additional tech-specific trends that are having a major impact on supply chain strategy and operations.These key tech trends are:6. Cybersecurity and Data SecurityFor many businesses, the supply chain is a leading source of cybersecurity risk—and with supply chains’ growing reliance on technology and digitization, data security is sure to become an increasingly vital issue. Powered by the rise of AI, it seems likely that attacks such as phishing, deepfakes, and ransomware will only grow in volume and sophistication in the years ahead.7. Demand for Real-Time DataLack of access to accurate, real-time data is an ongoing barrier to achieving the vision and benefits of supply chain digitization and end-to-end orchestration. Without real-time data visibility, it is difficult or impossible to make informed, data-driven decisions that enable a supply chain to optimize inventory, react to changing demands and risks, and improve efficiency.8. Digitization and the Pace of Technology AdoptionThe dizzying pace of technological change in supply chains can be daunting for supply chain leaders and professionals alike. Yet, the pace will likely only accelerate as supply chain operations embrace AI in the pursuit of improved visibility, transparency and efficiency. This will make keeping up with the latest developments in digital technology even more challenging, but also even more important.9. Ecommerce GrowthEcommerce grew by leaps and bounds during the pandemic, and that growth is showing no signs of slowing. This is driving companies to find new and better ways to anticipate changes in demand and fulfill orders more quickly and accurately. To that end, supply chains are looking for ways to harness the power of technology— especially AI—to more accurately anticipate customer needs, manage inventories, and accelerate delivery.10. SustainabilityAlthough sustainability is not strictly a technical issue, it remains a high priority and strategic differentiator for many firms—with technology being both a critical enabler and potential source of new problems. Technology advances are helping operations around the world become more sustainable; however, many firms are still wrestling with data issues that make it hard for them to accurately report Scope 3 emissions. AI and machine learning algorithms can help; however, the irony is that AI systems use tremendous amounts of energy. Bottom line is that sustainability goals need to be rooted in the overall business plan.“Leaders must ensure seamless integration of all supply chain components to enhance efficiency and meet customer expectations to further drive innovation, reduce redundancies, and deliver superior value,” said Wanda Johnson, Supply Chain Technology Fellow, Deloitte Consulting.The report also provides real-world case studies of digital supply chain technologies and recommendations for leaders to develop strategies to implement these innovations.The findings of the 2025 report are based on survey responses from over 700 manufacturing and supply chain industry leaders from a wide range of industries at the end of 2024. Eighty-three percent of respondents hold executive-level positions such as CEO, Vice President, General Manager, Department Head, or Engineering Management. Participating companies range in size from small to large, with 53% reporting annual sales of more than $50 million, and 21% reporting $1 billion or more.Download the complete report here.About MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics, and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 970 members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking, and solution sourcing for their members, their members’ customers, and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX exhibitions to showcase the products and services of its member companies and 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 communityProMat 2025 is being held at Chicago’s McCormick Place from March 17-20.About DeloitteDeloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Delta, a global leader in power management and a provider of IoT-based smart green solutions, attends ProMAT 2025 with its cutting-edge wireless charging and industrial automation solutions. These innovations, which are designed to boost intelligence, efficiency, and safety in warehouses and logistics operations across North America, include the new MOOVbase Multi-port Charging System for small logistics vehicles and battery swap stations. The functional safety certified A3-EP servo drive and AX-5 controller, which are ideal for the wide range of load capacity requirements in smart warehouses, are also a key highlight this year.Dave Morse, Vice President of Industrial and Automation at Delta Electronics (Americas), says, “With strong R&D capabilities and insights accumulated from 30 years of experience in vertical integration, Delta is poised to empower customers with comprehensive solutions covering from warehouse vehicle charging and powering, conveyor automation, to real-time cross-plant monitoring.”“Delta is driving the future of warehouse automation,” says Daniel Doerflinger, General Manager of Delta Energy System’s Industrial and Medical Business Unit. “Our comprehensive portfolio, featuring industry leading charging solutions like MOOVair and MOOVbase alongside our advanced robotics and sensor technologies, empowers businesses to build smarter, greener, and more reliable supply chains. From seamless wireless charging for entire fleets to precise collaborative robots and advanced sensor technology, Delta is providing the technologies needed to optimize logistics for tomorrow.”Featured Solutions at ProMat 2025:MOOVbase Multi-port Charging System: Simultaneous Charging of up to Three VehiclesMaking its debut at ProMat 2025, the MOOVbase Multi-port Charging System is designed to simplify charging infrastructure for small logistics vehicles and battery swap stations. By enabling simultaneous charging of up to three vehicles or batteries with different voltage levels using a single AC connection, MOOVbase significantly reduces installation costs and complexity.The further models within the MOOVbase portfolio allow charging for up to 30 kW/96V at impressive charging capability of 640A at 94% efficiency, MOOVbase delivers maximum operational uptime, while advanced battery recovery modes extend battery life. Ethernet connectivity makes it easy to integrate into fleet management system. This versatile solution is tailored for modern, cost-conscious logistics environments.MOOVair Wireless Charging Systems: The Widest Portfolio of Inductive Chargers on the MarketDelta’s MOOVair Wireless Charging Systems provide seamless, automatic charging for fleets of AGVs, forklifts, and tow trucks. Offering power options from 1kW to 30kW, MOOVair supports the entire range of industrial vehicles, eliminates the need to plug in manually and reduces maintenance requirements. The flagship MOOVair 03 provides superior 3kW wireless charging performance with a charging current of up to 132 A at 24V, ensuring efficient and time-saving operations in high-demand environments. Powered by Delta’s patented PPL 1(Pad-Pad-Link) technology, MOOVair ensures reliable, interference-free communication between chargers and vehicles—even in complex logistics hubs. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, PPL operates outside busy radio spectrums and is highly resilient against environmental factors like dust and dirt, ensuring unmatched performance and reliability.AC Servo Drive A3-EP and Advanced IIoT Controller AX-5: Bolster Efficiency with High-Performance Functional SafetyPowered by the functional safety certified servo drive A3-EP and controller AX-5, Delta further unlocks warehouse efficiency and safety by combining with its wide range of motor drive systems, which offer power from 250W to 1500W. These solutions cater the wide spectrum of load capacity requirements in conveyor and AGV/AMR scenarios, satisfying the needs from heavy-duty conveyors, pallet handling AGVs to light-weight package sorting and transport vehicles. The TÜV-certified servo drive A3-EP provides comprehensive functional safety, including Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE), with precise control, high speeds, and energy efficiency. The controller AX-5, obtaining SIL3 certification, supports distributed safety control to enhance the protection of particular areas and process. Equipped with a powerful Arm Cortex 4-core processor, AX-5 enables seamless synchronization with servo drives, AC motor drives, and remote I/O modules.From Vehicles to Conveyor Tracking: Drive Productivity with Integrated SolutionsThe Conveyor Tracking System showcases Delta's strong position in vertical integration, extending beyond conveyor and vehicle power and control to include ToF-enabled robotics systems. Delta's robotics offerings, in addition to the SCARA robot displayed on-site, are complemented by the Red Dot Award-winning cobot DBot Series, with a payload capacity of up to 30 kg and a maximum reach of 1800 mm. The Time-of-Flight (ToF) Smart Camera DMV-T enables accurate object identification at high speeds with a built-in dual-core CPU boasting high accuracy (<1%), <80ms detection time, and a rugged IP67 rating. Supporting Ethernet, the DMV-T Series seamlessly integrates with Delta’s robotics solutions. Combining the highly versatile systems, Delta is able to craft tailored solutions not only for conveyor automation, but also palletizing, material handling, and packaging.Experience Delta’s Innovations at ProMat 2025Delta’s solutions on display at ProMat 2025 underscore the company’s commitment to empowering smarter, greener, and more efficient supply chains. Visit Delta’s booth at N7749 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, to experience these innovations firsthand. For more information, please visit Explore Delta’s Power and Automation Solutions at ProMAT 2025.1 For 3, 10 & 30kW modelAbout Delta Electronics (Americas)Delta Electronics (Americas) was established 38 years ago and has grown to over one thousand employees in the entire Americas region. Delta has offices, R&D centers, manufacturing, distribution and repair centers in multiple locations in the United States, Mexico and South America. In the U.S., operations are located in Fremont, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Raleigh, Boston and Detroit to better serve its diverse customer base. Outside the U.S., Delta continues to expand its Americas operations in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Canada.Delta Electronics (Americas) serves the IT, communications, industrial automation, renewable energy, lighting, power tool, automotive electric vehicle and other major industries. Products include power electronics, DC brushless fans, visual displays, industrial automation, networking products, electronic components, consumer products and energy efficient and renewable energy products. The company is always striving to define new ways to improve the energy efficiency of its products through advanced research and product development.For more information, please visit: www.delta-americas.com.About DeltaDelta, founded in 1971, is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data centre infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a worldclass corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its ESG-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centres and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices for 12 consecutive years. In 2022, Delta was also recognized by CDP with double A List for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for the 3rd consecutive year.For detailed information about Delta, please visit: www.deltaww.com.ContactDELTA ELECTRONICS NETHERLANDS BVYalin TsaiFax: +31 (0) 20 800 39 56yalin.tsai@deltaww.com

On June 26, 1974, a supermarket cashier in Troy, Ohio, made history by scanning a barcode on a ten-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit chewing gum with a Magellan Model A scanner. Developed by Spectra Physics, now part of the Italian multinational Datalogic, this was the world's first fixed retail scanner.   The ability to automatically identify products at checkout marked the beginning of a new era, revolutionizing the retail industry with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Fifty years later, this innovation remains indispensable.   As a pioneer in identification technologies, Datalogic has recognized the vast potential of barcode from the start. Building on its early success with scanners like the Magellan Model A, the company has become a leader in the retail automatic identification market. Datalogic has consistently remained at the cutting-edge of technological advancements to better serve its customers. Beginning with the development of the first 1D scan readers, the company later led the way in using imager technology in scanners, and has recently elevated performance by integrating the latest AI-based technologies.   A New Information-Rich Two-Dimensional Code We are at a critical turning point as the retail industry gears up for the rollout of the GS1 Digital Link, a groundbreaking product identification code, which will gradually appear on all consumer product packaging by 2027, complementing the traditional linear barcode.   The GS1 Digital Link barcode is an upgraded version of the traditional barcode, embedding digital information accessible via a URL. This creates a direct connection between a physical product and its associated digital content.   The new GS1 standard QR code will enable consumers to instantly access up-to-date information about products they are considering purchasing by scanning the packaging. This includes details of ingredient origins, allergens, usage (such as cooking tips and recipe suggestions), recycling or disposal guidelines, nutritional values, and much more.   The code will also include detailed information about the specific package, such as the expiration date, production lot, or a unique serial number. This data can be integrated into retailers' point-of-sale systems, improving security, streamlining procurement processes, and minimizing the risk of fraud.   Fabrizio Pareschi, Datalogic's Global Account Manager, stated, "Consumers will be empowered to make more informed purchases by gaining insights into the environmental impact of the products they buy. They will have access to detailed information, such as the origin of a product and its ingredients, as well as guidance on how to recycle or reuse packaging. Retailers and supply chain companies can offer personalized content, promotions, or offers tailored to consumer preferences or location. In addition, the new GS1 standard enhances traceability throughout the supply chain, aiding in the fight against counterfeiting and improving product recall management. It also optimizes inventory, warehouse management, and logistics processes by integrating with enterprise ERP and CRM systems. For these processes, Datalogic is the ideal technology partner, offering solutions for point-of-sale and data management through professional mobile computers like the new Memor 30/35. It is the perfect tool for tasks such as inventory management, price control, and stock replenishment. All Datalogic retail products are already fully compatible with GS1 code management”.   The Role of Software, Systems, and Artificial Intelligence So, how is the retail industry gearing up for the introduction of these new two-dimensional codes? Michele Benedetti, Chief Technology Officer at Datalogic, explains: "Our goal is to ensure that reading these two codes on packages is seamless and rapid, maintaining the same level of reliability we currently have with linear barcodes. Our scanners and mobile devices can read both types of code simultaneously, with the same speed and accuracy. But the real game-changer will come from integrating smart systems and software to create innovative applications that improve the shopping experience, support sustainability, and give retailers a competitive edge. For example, our next-generation Magellan scanners are truly intelligent machines capable of processing not just product codes, but also images captured by in-store and point-ofsale cameras. This paves the way for innovative applications, such as advanced anti-theft solutions, which will make retailers more efficient and ready to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving market."   Here’s to the enduring legacy of the barcode and its successor, as they guide us into the next era of retail. Datalogic is poised to lead the charge.   About Datalogic Group Global leader in the automatic data capture and industrial automation markets since 1972, Datalogic empowers the efficiency and quality of processes in the Retail, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics and Healthcare industries.   Datalogic S.p.A. is listed in the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001 as DAL.MI. Visit www.datalogic.com.   Contact info.automation.us@datalogic.com