MODEX 2026 shined a light on all things innovation, resiliency and efficiency.
That's because the show, which took place April 13-16 in Atlanta, showcased supply chain solutions from every angle.
This show hosted over 1,100 supply chain and material handling providers, featuring hands‑on product demonstrations, one-on-one meetings and a conference with four keynotes and nearly 200 sessions designed to uncover the latest equipment, technology and trends.
From humanoid robots and automated yard management to SaaS, IaaS (infrastructure as a service), Paas (platform as a service) or other as-a-service solutions, the 1,000-plus exhibitors brought efficiency, productivity, safety and reliability to the forefront of today’s global supply chains.
Here are the Top 5 takeaways:
1. Partnerships pave the way
Forget competition. This year’s show saw industry leaders join forces to expand capabilities and provide scalable solutions to customers.
For instance, Dematic and GreyOrange partnered to expand flexible automation capabilities. With this partnership, Dematic will integrate GreyOrange's GreyMatter, an AI-powered platform that coordinates robots and workflows to improve speed and accuracy, into Dematic's existing software portfolio to connect diverse technologies and integrate activity across multi‑agent warehouse environments.
FRAZIER and Dambach Lagersysteme continued to build momentum behind its joint Axis² product line, a next-generation multidirectional shuttle racking solution, with real-world deployment: a 1,000-pallet position system in the southeastern United States and an 11,000-pallet position installation in the Mid-Atlantic region.
RateLinx and Numina Group formed a strategic alliance to offer complete supply chain solutions that seamlessly align with clients’ operational processes and automating warehouse and transportation execution into a unified operation.
And, Toyota Industries Corporation reorganized its warehouse automation business to unify all warehouse automation-related organizations in these regions, including Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande and viastore under the Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL) name.
Furthermore, TAL and AutoStore formed a strategic partnership to strengthen integrated automation offerings across global markets, with a more unified approach to serving customers in EMEA/APAC. The partnership combines TAL’s newly established global warehouse automation organization with AutoStore’s capabilities in intelligent fulfillment, combining automation, software, and AI across the fulfillment lifecycle.
FORTNA and Jacobi Robotics also announced a strategic partnership to deliver AI-powered mixed-case palletizing solutions to distribution and fulfillment operations. The collaboration adds the Jacobi Robotics OmniPalletizer platform to the FORTNA solution portfolio, expanding FORTNA’s ability to solve labor-intensive workflows in high-volume distribution environments.
Numina Group announced an expanded partnership with KUKA to accelerate the performance and adoption of Batchbot 2.0, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and voice picking solution.
Ehrhardt Partner Group and Microsoft collaborated to establish the next era of AI-driven supply chain technology worldwide. The EPG AURA will be delivered globally via Microsoft Azure, creating a new technological foundation for the intelligent, data-driven management of complex supply chains.
2. Integration is the name of the game
Unlike previous MODEX/ProMat shows, this past week wasn’t just about the latest and greatest innovation. It wasn’t just about a new warehouse management system or a new forklift. And, it wasn't even about a shiny new robot.
What it was about, however, was leveraging these technologies to integrate in other areas and fill the gaps. It was about making solutions more customizable and scalable so companies can implement in different areas of their supply chain, including existing systems.
3. Warehouse automation and yard automation solve big problems
Warehouse automation and yard automation have evolved into being more than a singular solution; instead, they’re now viewed as the ultimate problem-solvers.
Take CTG’s Project GLORIA, for instance, which designed to redefine what AI can do inside complex, high-compliance operations. CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO, where Jimmy Lanssens, VP, technology solutions for CTG, and Clifton Cooper, solution architect for CTG, break down how a fully air-gapped approach enables faster decisions, protects sensitive data, and delivers insights teams can actually trust.
Meanwhile, YMX Logistics is redefining how supply chains move, starting in the yard and powered by people, technology, and results. Editor-in-Chief Marina Mayer met with CEO Matt Yearling and COO Erin Mitchell, both 2026 Pros to Know winners, to discuss how they’re transforming yard management through AI-driven automation and tech-enabled solutions while maintaining a company culture rooted in safety, customer success, and real career opportunities. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
4. Women supporting women in the supply chain space
The buzz within the halls was all about this year’s Women in Supply Chain Forum™, which is set to take place Nov. 17-19 in Charleston, S.C.
This year’s theme centers around Self-Advocacy in the Workforce: Branding Yourself While Empowering Others to Climb the Corporate Ladder, and will host Keynote Speaker Ellen Voie, founder of the Women in Trucking Association, and Closing Keynote Wanda Johnson, transformation leader at Deloitte.
Registration is open! CLICK HERE to view the agenda and learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to be a part of the journey!
And, don’t forget to submit nominations for our Women in Supply Chain Forum™ Award, which recognizes female supply chain professionals whose accomplishments set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network. Deadline for submissions is Friday, June 5.
5. Nothing beats face to face
If you tried walking fast through the halls to get to the next appointment, good luck. The halls were packed with over 5,000 attendees ready to learn, see, touch, feel and converse – all proof that nothing beats face-to-fact contact.
Also, why MHI, the producer of MODEX and ProMat, is expanding its reach with the creation of a new exhibition in Las Vegas, called MODEX West, set to take place Oct. 18-20, 2028, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
