Key Trends Impacting the Material Handling Industry in 2024
Recently, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) Executive Committee identified 2024’s top factors impacting the material handling industry. As Alliance looks forward to the year ahead, here are the biggest of these trends that we see impacting our customers, region, and company culture.
1. The Shift Towards Electrification
Electric forklifts and other battery-operated material handling equipment are in increased demand. Their battery-operated motors have low emissions, providing better air quality in warehouses than propane-fueled trucks. And, electric motors are less noisy than gas-powered engines.
Additionally, more warehouses are investing in electric forklifts to realize cost savings over the lifespan of ownership. Due to the rising cost of fuel, parts, and maintenance, most electric trucks end up being lower in cost after four to five years of ownership.
2. Embracing of Emerging Technologies
The material handling industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven systems changing the game. Warehousing industry players will have a competitive advantage if they automate as much as possible, and use data analytics to optimize operations. At Alliance, we help our partners use technology to make more informed business decisions, from demand forecasting to fleet management.
3. Evolving Training and Safety Requirements
Safety standards and training requirements are continually changing. We’re proud to offer OSHA-compliant training at our Jessup, Maryland headquarters and Virginia locations. Our trainings include sessions for forklift operators, aerial lift operators, electric lift truck technical training, as well as Train the Trainer offerings. These trainings meet all of the formal classroom and practical training requirements of the OSHA law.
4. Prioritization of Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement
Investing in team members is critical in 2024, and we embrace this wholeheartedly at Alliance. Our company is 100 percent employee owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). With every employee a partial owner of the company, all of us on the Alliance team are focused to take care of each other to ensure the company is thriving and growing. In fact, nearly half of the employees have been with the company for ten years or more. We’re all committed to Alliance’s 30 fundamentals, values that outline our dedication to our people and succeeding together. That’s why nearly half of the employees have been with the company for ten years or more.