Modern Materials Handling

The global material handling integration market is expected to grow from $57.29 billion in 2026 to $129.53 billion by 2036, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%, according to a new report from Future Market Insights.

Confidence in the equipment finance market has held steady since June, according to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association's (ELFA) July 2026 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI). Confidence in the market is at 63.7, which is unchanged from June. The index provides a qualitative assessment from key executives in the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry.

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Manufacturing execution system (MES) software is widely adopted across manufacturing, but few companies have managed to scale the technology across their operations, or fully integrate it into their technology ecosystem. Those are the key findings in Rockwell Automation's “Scaling MES Across the Enterprise,” an industry insights report based on input from 1,560 manufacturing and industrial operations decision makers in 17 countries.

Forklift and material handling specialist Wolter has acquired Delta Materials Handling, a dealer and distributor that serves mid-south markets including Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee; Tupelo, Mississippi; and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Delta, in operation for more than 65 years, has a strong reputation for reliable service, deep customer relationships, and material handling expertise, according to a press release from Wolter.

The global smart conveyor systems market is is expected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2025 to $27.8 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% during the forecast period, according to a new report from MarketGenics. The market is experiencing robust growth as industries increasingly adopt intelligent material handling solutions to improve operational efficiency, optimize logistics, and support smart manufacturing initiatives, the report says.

Q: What stood out most to you at Automate 2026? In addition to established vendors, the number of new market entrants is impressive, with many bringing truly innovative solutions to bear. That said, many appear to be attacking a similar slice of the market, and so I'd expect there to be some consolidation moving forward, especially for those that may work well technically, but without clear differentiation.

Stryten Energy LLC has signed a definitive agreement to acquire C&D Technologies, Inc. and Trojan Battery Company (C&D Trojan), which the company says will create a scaled platform to advance global battery manufacturing and deliver comprehensive energy storage solutions across critical markets, including material handling and logistics.

Date/Time Thursday, August 6, 2026 2:00PM Moderator Michael Levans, Group Editorial Director, Supply Chain Group, Peerless Media Panelists Jack Beadle, Director of Sales, Warehouse Automation, GEBHARDT Understanding the differences in these technologies and how they affect costs, ownership operations, and decisions for selection With the widespread adoption of robotic technologies in the warehouse automation market, the decision between which type of technology to pursue has become more complex.

Systems integrator Peak Technologies has appointed Joachim (Joe) Heel as its new CEO. Heel previously held senior leadership roles at Zebra Technologies, IBM, Avaya, Sun Microsystems, and McKinsey & Company. Most recently, he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Services at Zebra Technologies, where he helped lead global growth across solutions, services, enterprise mobility, automation, asset visibility, and supply chain technology. Heel replaces Tony Rivers at the helm of the company.