lockdown Archives

After consultation with the Materials Handling Industry (MHI of America) Board of Governors, MHI has made the difficult decision to cancel its in-person ProMat event in Chicago in April of 2021. The MHI Board determined that due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the current state and local regulations, it was not possible to hold a live event for attendees and exhibitors. This will be the first time in ProMat’s 35-year history that the in-person expo has been cancelled.

“For 75 years, MHI has been here to serve this industry and to bring it together. While the on-going pandemic makes it impossible to hold ProMat in person in 2021, connecting the industry and delivering value to our audiences is still our top priority. MHI is harnessing all of the power of the MHI and ProMat brands to continue to deliver this value digitally in 2021. We will utilize the most advanced technologies to connect all our audiences through the digital experience platform ProMatDX” says John Paxton, COO/CEO Designate of MHI.

ProMatDX will provide not only sponsor and attendee interaction but also the ability to see equipment and system solutions in-action. This exciting, new digital experience will also offer cutting-edge streamed educational opportunities, including keynote and seminar sessions on leading trends and technologies from industry thought leaders. ProMatDX will continue to provide ProMat’s unrivaled manufacturing and supply chain solution sourcing with AI-based matchmaking, live video meetings, product demos and live chat. Educational opportunities to connect will include streamed seminar and keynote sessions as well as daily wrap ups and news, and video interviews from the expo.

“Due to the pandemic, connecting the manufacturing and supply chain industry has never been more critical.,” adds Daniel McKinnon, MHI EVP of Exhibitions. “While nothing will ever replace the in-person ProMat expo, ProMatDX will utilize the latest digital event technologies to provide all our audiences with the unrivaled education, connections and market access the industry needs now more than ever to solve today’s unique supply chain challenges.”

The UK haulage sector is worth an annual £124bn to the UK national economy. It is hugely representative of the productivity of other sectors in the UK and therefore provides the perfect
barometer when looking at signs of recovery following the pandemic. For instance, consumer spending drives the economy, so, if the population is not spending then that reduces the need for the same level of movement of goods, which thereby visibly slows down the haulage market, says Paul Holland of KeyFuels.

So, it’s important to explore the impact the pandemic has had on haulage, as well as the clear signs of recovery as life slowly returns to some form of new normal, as well as how insights from the haulage industry can provide logistics businesses with a clearer picture for the months ahead. The impact of COVID-19 When the UK went into lockdown it meant that consumer spending,
normally spent on the high street, was wiped out almost overnight. However, with many businesses opening up since the government eased lockdown measures, there are encouraging signs
to be optimistic.

What’s more, although construction and manufacturing were put on pause almost immediately, they both showed a strong boost in activity when restrictions were eased, recovering by nearly 20% and 31% volumes respectively from the peak of the virus, according to Keyfuels data. The next phase of the recovery is well under way as high streets and other businesses previously shut down have opened. This is hugely significant because as these ‘non-essential’ sectors (such as retail and hospitality) get back to trading it will help the economy gather momentum and fuel recovery.

you can read the full story from our September issue here: https://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=5f3d1fcf3160d#9

Tag: lockdown

ProMAT Chicago Exhibition Cancelled

Haulage Provides Indicator of Recovery

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