Reader Survey

Our annual reader survey finds that many are looking to implement or improve their systems across numerous areas, and when it comes to decision factors for evaluating systems, total cost of ownership and integration gained in importance, while concern over parts availability declined.

Respondents are expanding facility size, experiencing an uptick in technology use and applying more capital expenditures to outfit the added square footage—all positive signs of continued growth.

Modern’s annual reader survey shows how trends in pallet use point to priorities around cost control, customer compliance and operational efficiencies. More customers are asking for pallet type changes and having minor availability issues with used wood pallets, while pallet cost and durability continue to be dominant decision factors.

Lift truck purchases remain steady in 2015 as companies look to upgrade or replace vehicles while also putting more into their training, technology and maintenance programs.

Following heavy investment in 2014, many users of supply chain software have backed off from spending as they settle into their new systems. Nonetheless, the software market continues to steadily grow as concerns fall away.

Though often characterized by feast or famine, this year’s view into warehouse and distribution center spending plans instead strengthens a pattern of deliberate investment. Today, readers are determined to get the most out of every dollar spent.

Modern Material Handling’s first-annual Maintenance Study reveals fairly high adoption rates for automated warehouse systems and an ongoing need for quality maintenance support and skilled technicians to manage these setups.

Modern’s annual reader survey gives insight on pooling, customer compliance, used wood pallets and other trends, though price still rules as the top driver.

With plans to buy a total of more than 1,100 lift trucks in coming months, readers share their perspectives on spending, maintenance practices and technology usage.

Manufacturers and distributors have been on an automation binge. We asked Modern’s readers what those plans may mean for the conveyor and sortation industry.

Compensation continues to climb steadily upward in the materials handling industry, which is overwhelmingly populated with satisfied veteran employees.

If you like research, and you know we do, then you’re going to love this issue of Modern.

From wood to plastic to pallet pools, our readers tell us what’s important in pallets.

Modern readers tell us how they’re buying, using and maintaining their fleet

With new distribution requirements and more investment in automation underway, Modern set out to find how readers are now approaching the use of conveyors and sortation systems.