In the June issue of MHEDA Edge, Steven Little, a keynote speaker at MHEDA’s recent annual convention, recapped six important worldwide trends that are already beginning to affect the material handling industry. Some trends are still in an embryonic stage with the development of applications capable of impacting our industry years in the future. Others are already making their presence known and changing the way we do business today.
We agree with Mr. Little that the following six trends are poised to change the material handling industry. We have added our own thoughts about the challenges these trends will pose as we move toward the future. We invite your comments on how our industry can best meet these coming challenges.
- Demographics. The world’s population is aging. The U.S. isn’t the only country affected by the aging of post-WWII baby boomers. A quarter of Japan’s population is older than 55. Half the population of Western Europe has passed the half-century mark. On the other end of the scale, the number of collegiates in the U.S. is slowly increasing, indicating a potentially better educated employee pool. Changing demographics influence social values, politics and business processes, forcing a rethinking and restructuring of the ideas and systems that drive society — and business.
- Urbanization. Cities worldwide continue to grow larger. By 2000, 25 cities boasted populations greater than 10 million. By 2025, 62% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities. The logistics of providing for the needs of these compacted populations will require new thinking and applications.
- Immigration. Within a decade, Spanish will be the primary language spoken in 20% of U.S. homes. As with the 19th century influx of English-speaking immigrants — Irish, Scottish and British — Spanish-speaking immigrants are bringing a wealth of very diverse cultural differences and customs to our shores. America will again need to meet the challenge of assimilation, a process that always engenders significant change.
To be continued Monday.