MHIA To Launch New Event in 2012

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) announces the launch of its new event, MODEX^SM 2012, to be held February 6-9, 2012 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

“We see this to be a major supply chain game-changer and have positioned MODEXSM 2012 as the event that can help exhibitors and attendees capitalize on the new dynamics”

“We are pleased to announce that MHIA will produce this exciting new exposition which at its core will include a similar material handling and logistics profile as our very successful ProMat® event,” said John Nofsinger, Chief Executive Officer for MHIA. "However, the MODEX^SM event will additionally incorporate a broader array of technology, services and educational offerings that serve the overall supply chain—hence the event’s tagline Solutions That Move Supply Chains.^SM"

MODEX^SM 2012 will showcase equipment and systems solutions as well as learning opportunities that span the entire supply chain, from material handling to logistics across manufacturing, assembly and distribution.

MHIA strategically chose Atlanta as the location of MODEX^SM 2012 to take advantage of what it sees as an emerging gateway to American supply chains.

“Over 40% of North American manufacturing and distribution locations are now within a 500 mile radius of Atlanta,” said Nofsinger. “Georgia and the Southeast are also home to extensive intermodal and logistics hubs that drive supply chains now and will continue to in the future. Currently 90% of the global top 25 third party logistics providers (3PLs) have operations in Georgia and more than 48 of the largest retailers have distribution centers in Georgia.”

Jones Lang LaSalle® has predicted that as much as 25% of the current West Coast cargo-base will shift to East Coast and Gulf ports over the next decade largely due to the Panama Canal expansion, scheduled for completion in 2014.

“We see this to be a major supply chain game-changer and have positioned MODEX^SM 2012 as the event that can help exhibitors and attendees capitalize on the new dynamics,” added Nofsinger.

“Over the past several years, MHIA has experienced a steady increase in both quantity and quality of attendees and exhibitors delivering more solutions for manufacturing and distribution as well as supply chains,” said Nofsinger. “However, with ProMat® strongly positioned in Chicago, the location of MODEX^SM 2012 in the growing Southeastern market is a perfect complement to ProMat®.”

"Industry leaders have taken notice of Atlanta's rapidly expanding circle of influence in the supply-chain industry," said Bob Pertierra, vice president of supply chain development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. The selection of Atlanta as the home for MODEX^SM is yet another milestone for this vibrant strategic industry in the region."

MHIA anticipates 500 exhibitors and tens of thousands of manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals from over 80 countries around the globe to attend MODEX^SM 2012. MHIA will expand its plans to partner with other industry groups via collocation at MODEX^SM to provide attendees even more exhibition, educational and networking value.

MODEX^SM 2012 Exhibit Spacedraw

The MODEX^SM 2012 Exhibit Spacedraw will be held December 14, 2010 beginning at 12:00 PM at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. This will be the first opportunity for companies to secure exhibit space for this event. Contact Tom Carbott at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 for more information.

MHIA is an international trade association that has represented the material handling and logistics industry since 1945. MHIA members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third party logistics providers. Member companies come from all areas of material handling and various parts of the world, making MHIA a strong national and international representative for the material handling and logistics industry. Much of the work of the industry is done within its product-specific Industry Groups. The association sponsors trade events, such as ProMat 2011 and MODEX^SM 2012 to showcase the products and services of the industry and to educate manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals on the productivity solutions provided through material handling, logistics and related activity.