CeMAT 2016 puts the spotlight on digitization and automation

• World’s leading trade fair for intralogistics expected to attract more than 1,000 exhibitors from every corner of the globe

• Lead theme: Smart Supply Chain Solutions

• Intralogistics sector primed for three-percent growth this year

The lead theme for CeMAT 2016 is Smart Supply Chain Solutions. In other words, the foremost trade show for intralogistics and supply chain management – which runs from 31 May to 3 June in Hannover, Germany – will highlight the pivotal role of logistics in today’s increasingly digitized and integrated industrial value chains. “The impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on logistics will be the overarching theme at the upcoming CeMAT. Soon, all parts containers, racks, materials handling and transport systems and even the materials themselves will be intelligent. This will greatly increase the flexibility of logistics processes and companies’ ability to control and monitor them. Competitiveness in the logistics industry ultimately comes down to speed, precision, flexibility and availability. Digitalization will boost logistics companies’ performance across all of these critical success factors,” said Dr. Andreas Gruchow, member of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe, during the CeMAT Preview in Hannover.

Advertisement

CeMAT is where many of the solutions that will shape the future of intralogistics are first presented to a worldwide audience. It is the number one source of information on all the latest integrated logistics technologies – everything from semi- and fully automated warehousing solutions, autonomous vehicles and innovative industrial trucks to new rack systems, collaborative robots and state-of-the-art integrated IT systems.

Solid growth projected for intralogistics technology

The intralogistics industry is on a steady growth trajectory. Last year, manufacturers of intralogistics solutions in Germany alone produced 20.1 billion euros worth of equipment – up three percent on the previous year. Germany’s VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association forecasts similar growth for the current year. “These sorts of growth figures are underpinned by the positive development of Europe’s Common Market. The positive performance of some target industries around the world has also been instrumental in keeping manufacturers’ order books full. eCommerce and the automotive industry are key examples of this,” explained the association’s President, Sascha Schmel.

New “Logistics IT” showcase

Software is becoming an increasingly important part of the intralogistics market. In recognition of this, CeMAT’s organizers have created a new, dedicated display area for all the latest logistics software applications – the Logistics IT in Hall 27. “Smart IT solutions are fundamental to modern logistics. IT is now the number one driver and source of innovation in logistics. Developments like mobile Internet and the digital integration of all end-users into the production and supply chain are opening up new opportunities and giving rise to new business models,” remarked Gruchow.

It is only fitting then, that SAP, the world’s leading enterprise software company, should be exhibiting at CeMAT. SAP and six partner companies will debut at the show with their latest industry solutions in the Logistics IT display area. Their pavilion will be themed “Integrated Logistics”.

Another highlight of the new showcase will be the Logistics IT and Automation Forum. There, IT experts and users will discuss a wide range of topics, including the role of the cloud in logistics, mobile solutions, interfaces and integration, intelligent tracking and tracing, network planning/supply chain design, big data in logistics, WMS, image processing in logistics, and virtualization.

“I am certain that CeMAT will promote greater awareness of the latest advances in intralogistics and the potential they hold. IT plays a key role as the interface that ties everything together. Thanks to all-encompassing software, each and every operational unit is fully integrated. This makes CeMAT an absolute must – not only for heads of production or executive managers, but also for IT experts. CeMAT provides a comprehensive look at today’s market and gives everyone the chance to discover the building blocks for tomorrow’s factories and logistic chains,” explained Dr. Christoph Beumer, Chairman of the CeMAT Executive Committee and Chairman and CEO of BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG in Beckum, Germany.

Over 1,000 companies from around the world will exhibit at this year’s CeMAT. Around half will come from outside Germany. The most important exhibiting nations, apart from Germany, are Belgium, China, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Turkey.

Move & Lift and Store & Load

The biggest showcases at CeMAT are Move & Lift and Store & Load. Move & Lift is dedicated to innovations in materials handling and lifting technology, including industrial trucks, cranes and hoisting equipment, access platforms, continuous handling systems and port handling equipment. As well as presenting these sorts of machines and equipment, the showcase will explore ways in which they can be intelligently integrated into automated supply chains.

Store & Load puts the spotlight on automated warehousing solutions. It features exhibits of rack systems, factory equipment, pallets, containers, loading and unloading equipment, and complete warehousing and loading systems. Gruchow: “Visitors of the upcoming CeMAT will discover a range of semi- and fully automated solutions to maximize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their warehouse materials handling, loading, packaging and distribution operations.”

Cranes and Lifting Equipment Pavilion

Like other core areas of the logistics industry, the cranes and lifting equipment sector faces major challenges from the growing trend towards digital integration and Industry 4.0. In recognition of this, the sector will have its own dedicated exhibition area at the upcoming show: the Cranes and Lifting Equipment Pavilion in Hall 27. CeMAT ranks among the world’s most important trade fairs for cranes and lifting equipment. The exhibits will range from simple load handling attachments to turnkey automatic cranes.

Platformers World@CeMAT

Lifting and access systems are core intralogistics technologies and therefore rightfully rank among the big highlights on display on the open-air site at the upcoming CeMAT show. The Platformers World@CeMAT showcase will feature access platforms, mast climbers, telescopic forklifts, ladder hoists, mini crawler cranes, industrial cranes and more from a wide range of manufacturers.

Manage & Service

The Manage & Service showcase brings together internal and external logistics. It is staged in partnership with the “transport logistic” trade show and features exhibits by logistics services and planning and consulting firms. Digitalization is revolutionizing entire value chains and opening up new opportunities both for providers of internal logistics technology and for providers of external transport logistics services. The future success of these sorts of companies hinges on the efficiency and capabilities of their logistics centers. Big data is a case in point. Big data means that complete and up-to-the-minute information on vehicles, orders and consignments can be accessed anywhere, anytime, making logistics processes much simpler to manage and control.

Pick & Pack

The packaging technology lineup at CeMAT 2016 will be bigger and better than ever, thanks to a partnership between Deutsche Messe and easyfairs GmbH that will see easyfair’s “Empack” and “Label&Print” shows co-staged with Deutsche Messe’s Pick & Pack showcase. Among this year’s exhibits will be the very latest packaging plant and machinery, as well as state-of-the art transport packaging solutions, packaging materials and packaging media.