Modern Materials Handling

Nine breakthrough technologies have been named finalists in the 2026 Technology Excellence Awards, presented by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The awards recognize some of the most innovative packaging and processing technologies making their PACK EXPO International debut. Three finalists in each of three categories — Food/Beverage, General Packaging & Processing, and Sustainability — will compete for attendee votes during PACK EXPO International, Oct.

Industrial robot deployments in factories and warehouses have mostly been limited to robotic arms and mobile units that can autonomously move goods or materials around a facility. Many automakers, though, have big plans to deploy humanoid robots on assembly lines and elsewhere in their factories.

From rapidly evolving technologies and operational efficiency to sustainability, food safety, and supply chain challenges, packaging and processing professionals are navigating an increasingly complex business environment. At PACK EXPO International 2026 (Oct. 18–21; McCormick Place, Chicago), more than 150 free educational sessions will give attendees direct access to industry experts and practical strategies they can apply to their operations.

Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com, sibling publications of Modern, are inviting manufacturers, designers, and innovators in the material handling industry to participate in the 2026 Material Handling Product News Readers’ Choice Products of the Year Awards. Now in its 11th year, the awards program honors the achievements of companies for advances in materials handling systems, and equipment within manufacturing, distribution centers and warehouses.

Reusable transport packaging specialist Monoflo International has formed a new European business unit called Monoflo International GmbH. This new entity extends the company’s engineering, manufacturing, and service platform to better serve European customers and system integrators, according to a company press release. Monoflo’s makes injection-molded containers, trays, and pallets for packging and logistics applications.

Automha's board of directors has named Francesco Allegra new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. The appointment, which has already taken effect, “supports the expansion and strengthening of Automha’s growth within Comau, which includes capitalizing on the synergies with Invent,” the company said. Comau acquired Automha in 2025 and Invent Smart Intralogistics Solutions in July 2026.

MHI the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Material Handling Capstone Design Competition. The competition celebrates innovative material handling solutions while fostering student interest in the material handling industry as a rewarding career path. For the 2025-2026 competition, six different schools submitted a combined total of 11 entries.

Weber Systems Group has announced a new joint venture that will create artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for operational problems in industry. WEBER-HYDRAULIK, Simon Schausberger and Benjamin Bachmayr are sharholders in the new Weber AI Systems. The company's first applications are being deployed within the corporate group. Schausberger, Bachmayr, and Stefan Moser serve as the management team of the joint venture.

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announced the release of its 2026 Packaging State of the Industry Report and accompanying infographic, which finds the U.S. packaging machinery market reached an estimated $11.7 billion in shipment value in 2025, with food accounting for approximately 44% of the total.

Industrial humanoid robots pose a significant safety concern as they are more closely integrated into spaces and operations where they have to operate near employees. Agility Robotics claims that with the release of their new Digit 5 humanoid robot, they have created the company's “first humanoid robot engineered for cooperatively safe work at scale.” “Digit 5 is removing a major barrier to scaling humanoid robots in industrial environments,” said Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics.