Modex 2014: 11th annual Classroom Day to be held Wednesday

On Wednesday, March 19 at Modex 2014, students of engineering, technology, manufacturing, operations, supply chain and logistics will experience first-hand the latest technologies and solutions as they tour the Modex show floor as part of the Material Handling & Logistics Classroom Day. Accompanied by professors, the students are from four-year higher education programs.

The program is in its 11th year explained Carmen Murphy, education coordinator for show sponsor MHI. The event is put together by MHI’s College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) in conjunction with the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA).

“The opportunity to spend time at the show offers students a better understanding of the latest industry developments,” said Murphy. “They get a chance to see the variety of solutions that support the flow of materials throughout the supply chain for both manufacturing and distribution operations, all in one place.”

Classroom Day is so important to MHI’s Board of Governors, added Murphy, they set aside $15,000 in grants to be awarded among attending schools on a first-come/first-served basis to help defray travel and lodging costs. “Because of these grants, more than 175 students are expected to participate,” she adds. CICMHE contributes an additional $5,000 toward the grants as well.

The day kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with check-in in Room B302-303 of the Georgia World Conference Center Hall B. Students and faculty receive “Academic VIP” ribbons to affix to their badges.

From 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., a brief presentation will provide an overview of how materials handling and logistics solutions make goods flow, how solutions are developed, current and future trends, people and jobs in the industry. A special emphasis will be placed on helping the groups determine how to maximize their time at Modex. Students also receive a packet of materials to help them better understand the show and the industry, and educational materials from CICMHE, MHI and MHEDA.

Students and professors will split into groups to take a guided tour of the show floor from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Industry experts at selected show booths will be on hand to discuss the materials handling industry, solutions, technologies and careers.

Lunch is served at 12:15 p.m., courtesy of CICMHE and MHI. During this time, students will get details about an on-the-spot design competition. They’ll break into teams of 10 to develop and prepare their contest submissions from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“During this mini-design competition, the student teams will be given a problem to solve based on the material handling and logistics technologies they saw on the show floor,” explained Murphy. “Each team will write up a brief solution based upon the knowledge they gleaned while on their tour. The most creative solution will win a prize, awarded by 3:30 p.m.”

For the remaining hour-and-a-half of the day, students and professors are encouraged to attend educational sessions or speak with more suppliers until the show floor closes.

Schools Participating in Classroom Day
Auburn University, Clayton State, Clemson University, East Carolina University, Georgia Tech, Ohio University, Oklahoma State University, Southern Polytechnic State University, Tennessee Tech University, Texas A&M, University of Arkansas, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, University of South Carolina, University of Southern Mississippi, Virginia Tech.

Exhibitors Participating in Classroom Day
Advance Storage Products, Booth 8923
Amazon, Booth 5413
Beumer, Corp., Booth 4523
Cornerstone, Booth 7934
FastFetch, Booth 4605
Frazier Ind Co., Booth 9331
Gorbel, Booth 7928
Grenzebach, Booth 7913
Hanel Storage Systems, Booth 8417
Hannibal, Booth 6740
Honeywell, Booth 4518a
Husky Wire & Rack, Booth 8840
Hyster, Booth 6313
Ingersoll Rand, Booth 9528
Intelligrated, Booth 5123
ISD, Booth 9534
KardexRemstar, Booth 9323
Kiva, Booth 5413
KNAPP, Booth 6323
Lenze Americas, Booth 5131
Lucas Systems, Booth 3523
Motorola, Booth 3527
Orbis, Booth 7123
PeachState Integrated Technologies, Booth 4329
PeakLogix, Booth 8340
QSSI, Booth 4107
Ralphs-Pugh, Booth 4128
Raymond, Booth 7017
Reddwerks, Booth 4719
Sapient Automation, Booth 7336
SICK, Booth 8113
Siemens, Booth 8523
Southworth Products Corp., Booth 7923
St. Onge Company, Booth 6334
Superior Tire, Booth 7940
Swisslog Logistics, Booth 7613
UNARCO, Booth 7308
Vanderlande , Booth 6734
viastore, Booth 4327
Voxware, Booth 3713
Westfalia Technologies, Booth 9723
Yale, Booth 6123

Modex 2014 is scheduled to be held March 17-20, 2014 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Conference Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex 2014 coverage.