ProMatDX: Coming to a (Mobile) Screen Near You
By: Maureen Paraventi, Editor
It sounds a lot like a ProMat show. Experts are holding seminars about emerging technologies like IoT, AI, robotics and automation. Vendors are displaying their wares in showcases and conducting product demonstrations. However, in what has become the new normal, presenters and product exhibitions at this year’s ProMatDX show are digital. And instead of traversing a spacious convention center, hurrying from seminar to seminar or browsing through the expo, attendees are taking it all in online. (The “DX” that’s been added to the venerable ProMat name stands for Digital Experience.)
ProMatDX, going on April 12th through the 16th, is an opportunity for manufacturing and supply chain professionals to learn about the latest trends and technologies they need in order to improve the resiliency and agility of their operations. There are pros and cons to this pandemically prompted style of professional gathering (which has become the norm since the global COVID-19 outbreak). People can’t network in person, but they can have personalized video meetings (AI “matchmaking”) with solutions providers. There won’t be any socializing at the end of a long, information-laden convention day but neither will there be costly plane rides and hotel rooms. Business cards with contact information on them are being exchanged, but virtually. You can listen to a 30-minute seminar in the comfort of your own home, grab a cup of coffee during the two-minute “grace period” that follows and then enjoy another seminar – still from the comfort of your own home.
Even in digital form, ProMatDX is impressive in its scope, with a strong lineup of speakers and presenters and more than 500 vendors.
Keynote speakers include:
- MHI CEO John Paxton, who’ll discuss: Transformation in Action: Introducing The 2021 MHI Innovation Award Winners on Monday, April 12 from 11 a.m. – noon.
- American Logistics Aid Network’s Kathy Fulton and a panel of supply chain and disaster response thought leaders who will explore the topic: Beyond COVID-19: Building Supply Chain Resilience Is the Key to Recovery and Preparing for Future Disruption on Tuesday, April 13 from 11 a.m. – noon.
- Thomas Boykin of Deloitte and MHI CEO John Paxton who will present 2021 MHI Annual Industry Report Preview – Innovation Driven Resilience: How technology helps supply chains respond, recover and thrive even amid disruption on Wednesday, April 14 from 11 a.m. – noon.
- Panelists Maike Sievers, Vice President Logistics/Supply Chain at Hibbett Sports; Megan Smith, CEO, Symbia Logistics; and Erin Donnelly, Director Supply Chain Development at The Home Depot, who will discuss Women in Supply Chain: Delivering Proven Success Strategies on Thursday, April 15 from 11 a.m. – noon.
Sponsor showcases and product demonstrations
Exhibitors of ProMatDX represent industry, commerce and government representing material handling equipment and systems; packaging, containers and shipping equipment; inventory management and controlling technologies; dock and warehouse equipment and supplies; automatic identification equipment and systems; supply chain management; sustainability solutions and robotics & automated solutions.
Here’s a sampling of the companies at ProMatDX:
WHO: 6 River Systems, Inc.
WHAT: Collaborative robots, artificial intelligence and operational expertise
FOR: Improving efficiency, optimizing labor and scaling quickly and easily
WHO: AutoGuide Mobile Robots
WHAT: High payload autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
FOR: Improving operational workflows in organizations of all sizes and across a broad spectrum of industries.
WHO: Avery Dennison Printer Solutions
WHAT: Routing and RFID solutions for Last Mile efficiency
FOR: Helping companies overcome omni-channel challenges like product capacity capabilities, speed of routing product, inventory accuracy and integrity and labor shortages.
WHO: FANUC America Corporation
WHAT: Robotics, CNCs, and ROBOMACHINE
FOR: Helping companies to improve productivity, increase quality, maximize profits and maintain a competitive edge.
WHO: Gorbel Inc.
WHAT: Cranes, engineered and mobile fall protection solutions, electric chain hoists and intelligent lifting devices.
FOR: The safe and efficient use of overhead material handling equipment.
WHO: Honeywell Intelligrated
WHAT: Conveyors, sortation devices, robotics, palletizers and automated storage and retrieval systems
FOR: Helping companies digitize to maximize efficiencies and inform decision making via real-time visibility to assets, automated systems and workers across the enterprise.
WHO: Material Handling Systems Inc. (MHS)
WHAT: Sorters, conveyors, extendable loading and unloading systems
FOR: Solving the challenges of distribution and fulfillment operations with a broad range of controls and automated equipment.
WHO: Nilfisk, Inc.
WHAT: Sweepers, scrubbers, pressure washers, and floor cleaning products
FOR: Making our customers’ business smarter through intelligent cleaning solutions.
WHO: ORBIS Corporation
WHAT: Reusable totes, pallets, containers, dunnage and racks
FOR: Moving products faster, safer and more cost effectively.
WHO: Seegrid
WHAT: A material handling solution that combines infrastructure-free vision guided vehicles, fleet management software and actionable analytics
FOR: Moving materials reliably, flexibly and safely.
WHO: Siemens Industry, Inc.
WHAT: Sorter systems, conveyor systems, auxiliary mh products, baggage handling systems
WHO: Steel King Industries, Inc.
WHAT: Durable, high-quality pallet racks, drive in rack, flow rack, pushback rack, pick modules, mezzanines/work platforms, cantilever racks, portable racks, industrial containers, custom shipping racks, and industrial safety guard railing.
FOR: Improving the efficiency of material handling systems.
WHO: Topper Industrial
WHAT: Industrial carts including quad steer, tracking, specialized delivery, tracking carts, static, rotation, tilt carts and transfer carts with roller deck.
FOR: Material handling that is ergonomic and efficient.
WHO: Westfalia Technologies, Inc.
WHAT: Flexible, automated storage and retrieval systems.
FOR: Organizing inventory, optimizing space and increasing efficiency in warehousing operations.
WHO: Wieland Electric Inc.
WHAT: Electric control boards
FOR: Conveyors