Material Handling Business Trends
MHEDA’s Executive Committee has identified the top business trends shaping the material handling industry for 2026. Leverage these insights to navigate key industry challenges and opportunities and explore MHEDA’s resources to support your organization’s success in the months ahead.
2026 Business Trends Video
Take on 2026 with confidence! Explore the 15 Material Handling Business Trends shaping the industry this year. Developed by MHEDA’s Executive Committee—from AI and geopolitics to workforce dynamics and customer expectations, these insights will help you navigate challenges and thrive in the year ahead.
2026 Material Handling Business Trends
Artificial Intelligence
The workforce landscape is rapidly evolving as AI-driven technologies automate processes, optimize labor, enhance decision-making, increase cyber security risks and set new benchmarks for operational excellence.
Geopolitics
An increasingly volatile international trade environment is disrupting global markets, supply chains, commodity pricing and impacting business decision making.
Customer Expectations
Rising customer expectations and cost reduction initiatives are creating margin pressure and challenging traditional business models to offer additional value.
Workforce Dynamics
Changing workforce dynamics are reshaping expectations with companies facing challenges in aligning performance, accountability, and engagement.
Talent Gap
The growing skills gap is making it increasingly difficult to find and retain qualified talent, challenging companies to invest more in training, upskilling, and workforce development.
Workplace Safety
Workplace safety programs that include proactive risk management to protect people and operations are being required by customers and expected by employees.
Consolidation
Industry consolidation is accelerating, as private equity firms, manufacturers, and distributors pursue acquisitions, intensifying competition and reshaping the market landscape.
Contract Requirements
Customers and suppliers are increasingly requiring more stringent contracts with complex terms and conditions.
Competition
The systems integrators and storage and handling segments have increased pressures from other industries entering the market.
Cyber Security
Heightened cybersecurity risks are impacting companies’ ability to safeguard sensitive data and to ensure customer trust, supply chain continuity and business stability.
Ecommerce
A rapidly growing number of customers, including next-generation buyers, are shifting to online platforms to research and purchase products.
Permitting
Requirements continue to increase for state and local permitting as well as contractor licensing.
Emerging Technologies
Emerging technologies are pushing companies to rapidly integrate tech-driven solutions into traditional
applications, increasing the importance of supplier partnerships
Automation Solutions
Customers are increasingly requesting phased automation strategies that offer measurable returns at each stage—driving demand for flexible, modular solutions that can adapt or scale over time.
Partnerships
Strategic partnerships between manufacturers and distributors are more important than ever as demand for direct consumer business increases.
2026 Business Trends Infographic
Download our Material Handling Business Trends Infographic for a concise, one-page overview of the latest industry insights and trends, providing valuable data to help you stay informed and make strategic decisions for your business. It’s the perfect resource for a quick, impactful look at key market developments.
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