Skip to content
Search AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

MHI acquires WERC in merger of trade groups

Material Handling Industry will operate Warehousing Education and Research Council as a separate division.

WERC warehouse workers
DC Velocity Staff
By DC Velocity StaffAug 03, 2020
DC Velocity Staff
See Full Bio

Logistics trade group the Material Handling Industry (MHI) has acquired the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) and will continue to operate the smaller group as an independent division, the businesses said today.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The expanded association will serve MHI’s 840 member companies and WERC’s 750 professional members. WERC CEO Michael Mikitka will join MHI as executive vice president of the MHI Knowledge Value Center and will lead the WERC division within MHI.

As combined organizations, the groups will offer expanded knowledge and educational resources to both association’s audiences, Charlotte, North Carolina-based MHI said.

“WERC offers an exciting opportunity for MHI to strengthen and expand the member value for both WERC and MHI’s members in the areas of industry thought leadership and education,” John Paxton, MHI’s COO and CEO-designate, said in a release. “The combination of WERC’s members and their expertise in the warehousing and distribution space supports MHI’s strategy to bring material handling and logistics solution providers and users together in a collaborative environment for connecting, educating, and advancing the industry.”

Oak Brook, Illinois-based WERC was founded in 1977 when a number of individuals from the distribution field came together in search of education, research, and networking opportunities in the field of warehousing. Since then, WERC has developed educational programs and conducted research concerning the warehouse management process.

“WERC joining MHI provides a major growth opportunity for both our associations through an extended service offering for all members,” Mikitka said in a release. “As our industry evolves, together our associations will leverage its resources to provide the products, services and information to advance distribution logistics professionals to do their jobs, excel in their careers and make a difference in the world.”

Known for hosting the the ProMat and MODEX trade shows, MHI has represented the material handling, logistics, and supply chain industry since 1945. Its members include manufacturers of material handling equipment including warehousing and logistics, systems integrators, third-party logistics providers, consultants, and publishers.

ArticleSC Services
wercmhi
ArticleSC Services
wercmhi

The Latest

More Stories

U.S. shoppers embrace second-hand shopping

U.S. shoppers embrace second-hand shopping

Nearly one-third of American consumers have increased their secondhand purchases in the past year, revealing a jump in “recommerce” according to a buyer survey from ShipStation, a provider of web-based shipping and order fulfillment solutions.

The number comes from a survey of 500 U.S. consumers showing that nearly one in four (23%) Americans lack confidence in making purchases over $200 in the next six months. Due to economic uncertainty, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality or style, the research found.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

seegrid CR1_Renders_1-2_11zon.png
Article

Seegrid lands $50 million backing for autonomous lift trucks

CMA CGM offers awards for top startups

CMA CGM offers awards for top startups

Some of the the most promising startup firms in maritime transport, logistics, and media will soon be named in an international competition launched today by maritime freight carrier CMA CGM.

Entrepreneurs worldwide in those three sectors have until October 15 to apply via CMA CGM’s ZEBOX website. Winners will receive funding, media exposure through CMA Media, tailored support, and collaboration opportunities with the CMA CGM Group on strategic projects.

Keep ReadingShow less
xeneta air-freight.jpeg

Air cargo carriers enjoy 24% rise in average spot rates

The global air cargo market’s hot summer of double-digit demand growth continued in August with average spot rates showing their largest year-on-year jump with a 24% increase, according to the latest weekly analysis by Xeneta.

Xeneta cited two reasons to explain the increase. First, Global average air cargo spot rates reached $2.68 per kg in August due to continuing supply and demand imbalance. That came as August's global cargo supply grew at its slowest ratio in 2024 to-date at 2% year-on-year, while global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising +11%.

Keep ReadingShow less
littler Screenshot 2024-09-04 at 2.59.02 PM.png

Congressional gridlock and election outcomes complicate search for labor

Worker shortages remain a persistent challenge for U.S. employers, even as labor force participation for prime-age workers continues to increase, according to an industry report from labor law firm Littler Mendelson P.C.

The report cites data showing that there are approximately 1.7 million workers missing from the post-pandemic workforce and that 38% of small firms are unable to fill open positions. At the same time, the “skills gap” in the workforce is accelerating as automation and AI create significant shifts in how work is performed.

Keep ReadingShow less
stax PR_13August2024-NEW.jpg

Toyota picks vendor to control smokestack emissions from its ro-ro ships

Stax Engineering, the venture-backed startup that provides smokestack emissions reduction services for maritime ships, will service all vessels from Toyota Motor North America Inc. visiting the Toyota Berth at the Port of Long Beach, according to a new five-year deal announced today.

Beginning in 2025 to coincide with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, STAX will become the first and only emissions control provider to service roll-on/roll-off (ro-ros) vessels in the state of California, the company said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Copyright ©2024.