In a world where cyber mischief is as common as...

Discover just how important cybersecurity is to the supply chain and the steps they need to take to avoid these attacks.

Discover just how important cybersecurity is to the supply chain and the steps they need to take to avoid these attacks.

As supply chains continue on the path of digital transformation, professionals need to look towards protecting themselves virtually. A number of solutions need to be considered, especially as an internal IT team may not have the necessary skills to combat all threats.

As AI transforms warehouse operations, it's also introducing new risks. On May 7, the MHI Supply Chain Tech Talk, "Balancing AI Innovation and Cyber Risk in the Modern Warehouse," will examine how leaders can stay secure while continuing to innovate.The following guests from the Warehousing Education and Research Council will join the Tech Talk to lend their expertise:•  Glen Wegel, Vice President of Operations and Technology, Kitchen Cabinet Distributors•  Steve Mulaik, Partner, Aragon & Co.•  Mindaugas Maciulis, CEO, Strategic AI AdvisorsTheir discussion will explore the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and operational complexity, including the rise of Shadow AI.Registration is now open for this free webinar, which goes live May 7 at 10:30 AM ET. MHI Supply Chain Tech Talks span numerous topics including automation, ergonomics, and emissions. To view past Tech Talks, visit videos.mhi.org/supply-chain-tech-talks.About MHIMHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 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.

Attendees are looking to invest in AI, automation, robotics, and tech solutions to improve the speed and resiliency of their supply chain operations.With MODEX 2026 just over six weeks away, attendee registrations are tracking well above the last MODEX event in 2024. Looking at attendees that have registered to date, they are high in quality as well and represent the majority of the Fortune 1000, top 100 retailers, and top 100 consumer goods firms. We are also seeing record numbers of buying teams from these firms planning to attend.When attendees register, they are asked to answer a variety of demographic questions indicating their industry, product interest, buying authority and spending plans. Below are some highlights from current MODEX attendee demographics. 88% have buying power 80% are coming to see new products and innovations 65% are coming to network and learn 35% plan on spending over $1 million over the next 18 months 54% are corporate or senior management 33% are middle management or IT/Engineering 70% are looking for solutions for their distribution centers or warehouses 24% are looking for solutions for their manufacturing facilitiesWhen it comes to the solutions, MODEX 2026 attendees are looking for a wide range of equipment and technologies for their material handling and supply chain operations. However, there is a heightened interest in automation, robotics, autonomous vehicles, AI, and analytics. The top product interest categories for attendees currently are: Autonomous Mobile Robots Automated Storage / Retrieval Systems Robotics Conveyors and Sortation Systems Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Distribution & Warehousing Software Advanced Analytics Forklift Trucks and Autonomous Fork Trucks Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems Racks Pallets & Palletizers Order Fulfillment Automation, Order Picking & E-Commerce Automation Automatic Identification Products Batteries, Fuel, and Alternative Fuel Systems Lift Products Safety Equipment & Ergonomics Packaging & Unitizing Machinery & Materials Supply Chain Execution Systems & Software Supply Chain Security & Cybersecurity Parcel, Freight & Cargo DistributionThese statistics are an early indication of growth of the MODEX event and the high interest attendees in investing in the manufacturing and supply chain equipment and systems that will be showcased at MODEX.MODEX will be held April 13-16 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center and will be the most important week in 2026 for the manufacturing and supply chain industry. The event will feature over 1,000 exhibits, 200 educational seminars and 4 keynotes.For more information and to register for free admission to attend MODEX, visit modexshow.com.About MODEX MODEX 2026 will be held April 13-16, 2026, in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Over 1,000 exhibitors will showcase their solutions on MODEX’s show floor totaling over 625,000 square feet of manufacturing and supply chain solutions. MODEX exhibits will represent all segments of the material handling and supply chain logistics industry, from traditional manual equipment to computerized, automated systems, e-comm fulfillment, AI and last mile logistics. MODEX 2026 will also feature a comprehensive educational conference including keynotes and show floor educational seminars led by industry experts and leading authorities.About MHI MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI’s over 1,000 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.

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.

In today’s episode of MHI cast, we’re going to chat with some experts in the industry. We’ll discuss the trends to look out for in 2023