Year in Review: Top materials handling news in 2015

Mergers and acquisitions
Swisslog acquires warehouse automation provider FORTE Industries in the United States FORTE plans, designs and implements material handling automation systems with warehouse execution software (WES) as the core of each solution. Click here for analysis from Bob Trebilcock, Modern’s executive editor.

Dematic announces agreement to acquire Reddwerks
Leading global supplier of integrated automated technology to acquire leading provider of warehouse execution software. Click here for analysis from Bob Trebilcock, Modern’s executive editor.

Dearborn Mid-West Company acquires W&H Systems
Rebranded as DMW&H, new company will deliver material handling solutions to the industrial, food and beverage, wine and spirits and retail industries. Click here for analysis from Bob Trebilcock, Modern’s executive editor.

Regal Beloit acquires Emerson’s Power Transmission Solutions business
Manufacturer of conveyor systems and related components expands global footprint.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift to acquire UniCarriers
MHI and MNF acquire all shares from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Konecranes and Terex merge
Companies reported combined revenues of $10 billion in 2014.

Omron to acquire U.S.-based Adept Technology
Omron positioned to serve manufacturers in automotive, digital device, food and beverage, packaging, and other industries.

Research and markets
How manufacturing employers are getting lean
Comprehensive survey illustrates trends in utilization of lean programs and pay rates for lean champions.

North American robotics market sets new records for first nine months of 2015
RIA reports increase of 6% in units and 9% in dollars over the same period in 2014.

Study identifies sustainability disconnect between consumers and executives
Consumers ready to 5% more for online orders if delivered sustainably, 76% would wait an extra day for climate-friendly transport.

In other news
ProMat 2015 registration tops 37,000
Show producer MHI announced a 8.8% attendance jump over 2013.

Automate 2015 sets show and conference attendance records
Co-located with ProMat, exhibition space was 76% larger, show attendees jumped 61%, and conference participants grew 63% over 2013.

Study finds manufacturing industry ready for the Internet of Things
83% of surveyed manufacturers either already have IoT implementations in place or plans to deploy within a year.