Each year, automation and technology innovations push material handling capabilities into the future. Our interconnected, global market is a highly competitive space. If you want to outperform local and international competition, you need to be on the cutting edge. Understanding emerging trends in the material handling industry can help you boost productivity while keeping costs down and driving business up. Check out these 2024 material handling trends and stay ahead of the curve.
1. Automation
Automation is one of the major new trends in the material handling industry. It’s a game-changer for material handling, driving industry growth to new heights. Automated systems and equipment perform repetitive tasks and simpler work, quickly and accurately completing their jobs without human involvement. Automation is a growing trend that better utilizes human workers while driving down labor costs.
One of automation’s key benefits is the significant reduction of labor costs. Time-consuming, repetitive tasks slow down human workers and disengage them from their work. Automating essential tasks lets you reallocate your labor to more productive work. Additionally, automation improves your accuracy — automated workers never get tired during repetitive work, reducing errors. You’ll get constant output and minimal errors with automated solutions.
Automation is also trending thanks to its scalability and real-time inventory management. As your business grows, you can easily expand or reconfigure automated systems to meet new demands. Flexibility is crucial for adapting and staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market. Use real-time inventory management to track your stock levels accurately and make more informed decisions. Look to automation to get in front of the competition and refine your operation.
Eastern Lift Truck Co. specializes in automation and robotics. We’ll help you integrate advanced technologies to streamline operations and boost efficiency. From AMRs to conveyor systems, our solutions can transform your warehouse.
2. Robotic Integration
Robotic integration is another of the material handling industry trends 2024 is bringing. With the support of robotic solutions, your business can streamline operations in warehouses and distribution centers. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and robotic lift trucks are now essential for improving material handling processes. These robots can handle tasks like storage, pallet conveyance and sorting. This trend reduces the need for manual labor while minimizing human error.
Robotic systems work alongside human workers, boosting safety and worker engagement. Robotic palletizers and wrappers automate repetitive tasks, letting employees focus on more complex work. Integrating robots gives you more precise control over your operation, adjusting them as needed to tasks with demand. Expect to see a continuing increase in robotic integration as the industry moves forward.
Additionally, automation and robotics can be combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems eventually. These solutions will further optimize your processes. AI and ML will analyze your operations, tweaking them to cut waste and maximize productivity without draining your resources.
3. Rental Equipment
The forklift industry is projected to reach $8 million, with renting forklifts becoming an important revenue generator for material handling operations. With demand for forklifts staying steady, consumers are looking for reliable equipment to meet their needs. However, investing in a brand-new forklift is a barrier for some people. Forklift rentals are expected to grow as clients look for models within their budgets. With rental forklifts, organizations can meet different client needs.
Additionally, flexibility is an essential feature for many businesses. Businesses seeking short-term rental solutions for peak periods need forklifts without the financial commitment. Short-term and long-term forklift rentals meet customers’ unique needs while helping them stay on budget. With access to the latest technology from forklift rentals, customers can save big while meeting the project goals.
4. Modular Designs
Space is money — the more optimized your warehouse layouts, the better you can meet demand and flow needs. As we move through 2024 into 2025, we expect to see more emphasis on modular designs. Modular spaces give you flexible, scalable solutions without the expense of an expansion. Modular offices and storage solutions are quickly becoming convenient choices for your warehouse. You can customize these spaces to fit your warehouse needs without significant renovation. Quickly reconfigure modular designs to meet your changing operational needs.
Use modular designs for offices, storage rooms and break areas, optimizing space use and workflow efficiency. This trend offers a cost-effective approach to expanding or reorganizing your warehouse. With modular solutions, you can keep up with market demands without the expense or downtime of construction.
5. Advanced Safety Features
Safety and operator training is a top priority in material handling. Recent trends focus on incorporating advanced technology into equipment and operations. Modern forklifts and aerial work platforms come with safety in mind. Advanced features like automatic speed reduction, collision detection and operator presence sensing make warehouses safer. By prioritizing safety and proper training, companies can minimize downtime due to accidents, lower insurance costs and keep employees motivated. Expect to see these advanced features and more become standard as industries work to create safer, more productive environments.
6. Sustainability
Sustainability is another emerging trend in the industry. With environmental awareness increasing and initiatives for sustainability rising, companies should prioritize eco-friendly options. Material handling equipment can reduce emissions or create disruptive noise, affecting the work environment’s health and productivity. Stay on the cutting edge with eco-friendly equipment and practices.
Electric forklifts offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional models. They’re becoming popular thanks to their focus on greener operation and their compatibility with indoor use. Look for forklifts with zero emissions and low noise levels to create a safer and cleaner working environment. Stay on top of sustainability trends while pushing your operation ahead.
Additionally, energy efficiency is another important focus for material handling operations. Advanced technology and automation are designed to use less energy without lowering productivity. Use sustainable solutions for better energy efficiency — you’ll save money on operational costs and stay productive. Investing in sustainability now ensures you are ready for future trends and changes that support eco-friendly initiatives.
Also in recent years, more colleges and businesses have been replacing traditional trucks and vans with street-legal, low-speed vehicles.
Low-speed vehicles produced by manufacturers like GEM reduce pollution, fuel costs, and congestion. Additionally, LSVs are safer to operate around pedestrians than other traditional transport vehicles.
Quality Forklifts From Eastern Truck Lift Co.
Get ahead of the latest trends in material handling with products and services from Eastern Lift Truck Co. We have 18 locations across the Mid-Atlantic and over 4,000 lift trucks available for purchase or rent. Our team has the resources and expertise to meet all your material handling needs. Our extensive inventory includes new and used equipment, and our parts inventory covers more than 175 brands. We can support any requirement, improving productivity and workflow.
Whether you’re looking for sustainable equipment or material handling solutions, we’re here to help. Contact Eastern Lift Truck Co. and let our experts help you stay ahead of industry trends!
