Modex 2026: Now & next

MHI’s Modex 2026 welcomed 50,000 registered visitors from every U.S. state and 132 countries, alongside 1,057 exhibitors covering 630,000 net square feet and representing all segments of the material handling, logistics, and transportation industry—from traditional, manual equipment to digital, automated systems, robotics, AI-connected supply chain orchestration technologies and last-mile logistics. Here’s a look at some of what our editors saw at the show.

FORTNA expands into mixed-case palletizing with Jacobi

FORTNA and Jacobi Robotics shared their strategic partnership to bring AI-powered mixed-case palletizing to distribution and fulfillment operations. By combining Jacobi’s OmniPalletizer platform with its solution portfolio, FORTNA can tackle one of the more complex and labor-intensive workflows in high-volume environments.

Mixed-case palletizing has traditionally required significant manual labor due to its complexity and variability. With OmniPalletizer, FORTNA now offers a scalable, production-ready solution that automates the process without requiring upstream sequencing or major facility redesign, helping improve efficiency, safety and overall performance.

“At FORTNA, we partner with companies that are redefining what’s possible in warehouse automation, and Jacobi Robotics is doing exactly that,” said FORTNA CEO Rob McKeel. “Our commitment is to deliver the right solution for each customer’s environment, and Jacobi Robotics adds a capability that helps solve a long-standing challenge while delivering measurable results.”

Swisslog unveils AgileStore, demonstrates SynQ solution

Swisslog unveiled AgileStore, a new four-way roaming pallet shuttle designed for high-density storage. The automated storage and retrieval system gives warehouses a modular way to use space more efficiently and adjust to changing demand. The launch also highlights Swisslog’s partnership with Eurofork.

“Being ready for what’s next means looking beyond the automation you need today,” said president and CEO Mike Barker. “It’s about building a competitive advantage that enables your supply chain to perform reliably now, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to whatever comes next. AgileStore complements and expands our ability to serve pallets-based customer needs.”

The company also demonstrated its SynQ platform in the booth. The software manages automated intralogistics systems and coordinates warehouse activity in real time, helping operations respond to shifts in order volume, labor, and inventory. Swisslog hosted three educational seminars, where its team shared insights from recent automation projects.

KNAPP exhibits AI-driven automation

KNAPP North America showcased its automation systems and software designed to support operations from production and distribution through last mile delivery. The company’s KNAPP Brain technology adds an AI layer that connects systems across the value chain.

“As a future member of our comprehensive family of storage solutions, KNAPP will unveil a design concept of a new bot-based storage system that targets the upper end of throughput and sequencing performance,” said Jusuf Buzimkic, chief sales officer of KNAPP North America.

KNAPP also presented a modernized, data-driven service approach to customer service. In North America, the evolution is reinforced by a new leadership team and the upcoming launch of the MultiSite Control Center, providing centralized, real-time support to reduce unplanned downtime.

BEUMER Group highlights scalable sortation systems 

BEUMER Group presented its latest sortation and automation systems, with a focus on helping warehouses handle fluctuating volumes and ongoing labor challenges. The company highlighted technologies designed to scale with demand without requiring major system overhauls.

“We are well known globally as a quality leader, assuring robust and reliable cross-belt technology deployments,” said Markus Schmidt, CEO and president, BEUMER Corp. “Our customers trust us when it comes to automating their high-speed sortation operations.”

BEUMER featured its cross-belt sortation systems, along with the BG Pouch System for high-throughput sequencing and returns handling. The company also demonstrated software tools that provide real-time visibility into operations, along with support services to keep systems running consistently.

Zebra focuses on faster, more connected operations

Zebra Technologies showcased its manufacturing, warehouse and supply chain solutions designed to digitize and accelerate frontline operations.

“Our goal at Modex is to show leaders a practical roadmap for digitizing and automating workflows to accelerate their frontline operations,” said Charlie Long, VP and general manager, machine vision and fixed industrial scanning. “By deploying solutions that increase visibility and power agility across the supply chain, businesses can improve customer outcomes.”

Zebra introduced a new rugged, hands-free wearable computer that combines RFID, bar code scanning, and push-to-talk capabilities to improve frontline productivity. Also featured were the TC501 and TC701 mobile computers with on-device AI for instant data analysis, and a Jam Detection solution that uses machine vision and AI to prevent conveyor shutdowns. Global manufacturing provider Jabil demonstrated how it uses Zebra’s solutions in its operations.

Reusable packaging from ORBIS designed to keep automation moving

ORBIS showcased its latest reusable packaging products designed for automated operations. In fast-moving supply chains, the company focuses on helping customers improve efficiency and accuracy with packaging that works inside automated environments.

The manufacturer’s pallets, totes and bins are engineered for use with robotics, AS/RS and autonomous materials handling systems, with designs that support consistent performance across repeated cycles.

“At ORBIS, we’re proud of the role we play in automated operations,” said VP of product management Lynn Hediger. “Our work with system providers and end users helps ensure the packaging performs as expected inside these environments.”

Visitors could see several new products in the booth, including Odyssey pallets, AROS totes for automation, OPTEBulk sleeve pack systems, collapsible bulk containers and custom thermoformed packaging.

Yale debuts automated lift truck with vertical pallet positioning capability

Yale Lift Truck Technologies unveiled the latest addition to its Yale Relay automated lift truck platform, the counterbalanced stacker, capable of handling loads up to 3,300 pounds and reaching lift heights of approximately 13 feet. This model enables warehouses to automate put away and retrieval tasks in stage lanes, from conveyors and even in some low- to mid-level racking applications with minimal infrastructure or workflow changes.

“The automated counterbalanced stacker continues our commitment to bringing the benefits of automation to more warehouse operations,” said Kyle Smart, sales manager, automation, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “From conveyor picking and putaway to picking up pallets from stretch wrappers, the truck’s vertical capability enables a wide range of common workflows to be automated and unlocks additional labor savings for warehouses.”

The truck is powered by the Yale Relay automated lift truck portal, which debuted with the automated tow tractor model at ProMat 2025. The introduction of the counterbalanced stacker brings enhancements to the portal that allow users to create configurable pallet placements and manage pallet locations without the requirement of WMS integration.

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