Material Handling Masters Podcast

In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards sits down with Joe Mull, author, founder of Boss Hero School, and speaker at the 2026 MHEDA Convention, to explore what it truly takes to build a workplace where employees want to stay.

Joe shares insights from his research and experience in leadership development, challenging common assumptions about retention and engagement. He discusses why the idea that “no one wants to work anymore” misses the mark and reframes the conversation around quality of life, trust, and the overall employee experience. Joe also offers practical strategies leaders can use to strengthen commitment, improve retention, and create a more people-centered workplace.

Joe Mull is an award-winning author, Hall of Fame speaker, and the founder of Boss Hero School. With a background in leadership development across higher education and healthcare, Joe helps organizations improve employee commitment, reduce turnover, and build more human-centered workplace cultures. He is known for translating research and psychology into practical strategies that leaders can apply to attract, engage, and retain top talent.

Industry consolidation continues to reshape the material handling landscape as private equity investment, acquisitions, and strategic mergers accelerate across the market. In this episode of Table Trends, CEO Lauren Reed joins MHEDA board members to discuss how consolidation is influencing competition, customer relationships, and long-term business strategy across the industry.

The conversation explores how private equity and large-scale acquisitions are changing the competitive environment—bringing both new opportunities and new pressures for distributors, integrators, and suppliers. Panelists share how companies are responding to larger competitors entering their markets, evolving vendor relationships, and shifting expectations from newly acquired customers.

While consolidation can create uncertainty, the discussion highlights how strong customer relationships, agile operations, and a focus on service excellence remain key differentiators. As the industry continues to evolve, companies that stay adaptable and relationship-driven will be best positioned to navigate change and uncover new growth opportunities.

As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, material handling companies are moving beyond curiosity and into practical application. In this episode of Table Trends, CEO Lauren Reed is joined by MHEDA board members to explore how AI is reshaping operations, decision-making, and customer experience across the industry. From contract reviews to service automation, the discussion highlights how companies are leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency while maintaining human oversight.

Panelists share how AI is streamlining complex and time-consuming processes. Contracts that once took hours to review can now be analyzed for key clauses and risk areas in minutes, helping leaders without in-house legal teams navigate increasingly complex agreements with greater confidence. Others are building customized AI tools to interpret technical manuals, support customer service teams with faster answers, and even create searchable employee handbooks that provide real-time internal guidance.

Operational automation is also taking center stage. One panelist describes how AI-driven analytics are automatically closing thousands of routine preventative maintenance work orders each month, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improving billing accuracy. The result is not only greater internal efficiency but also a stronger customer experience through faster, more accurate service.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or actively integrating it into your operations, this episode offers real-world insight into how material handling leaders are using artificial intelligence to save time, reduce risk, elevate marketing efforts, and create more meaningful human interaction where it matters most.

As workforce expectations continue to evolve across the material handling industry, companies are navigating new challenges around engagement, accountability, and leadership development. This episode of Table Trends brings together CEO, Lauren Reed and MHEDA board members to discuss how shifting workforce dynamics are influencing the way organizations communicate, manage teams, and build the next generation of leaders.

The conversation explores the growing importance of flexibility, open communication, and creating environments where employees feel heard and valued—regardless of tenure or generation. Panelists share how career pathing, stronger manager training, and more frequent employee check-ins are helping retain talent and drive engagement, while also reinforcing accountability through shared goal-setting and development planning.

Whether you’re a dealer, integrator, or supplier, this episode offers practical insight into leading today’s workforce, developing future leaders, and creating a culture where employees stay engaged, motivated, and invested in long-term success.

In the January 2026 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptability in a competitive marketplace.

To access the full report and explore archived issues, simply log in to your MHEDA member account and order the FREE report. This exclusive resource is part of MHEDA’s commitment to supporting members with relevant, actionable economic insights to fuel strategic planning and success.

ITR Economics is the oldest privately held, continuously operating economic research and consulting firm in the US. ITR Economics has provided business leaders with economic information, insight, analysis, and strategy since 1948. With a knowledge base that spans seven decades, ITR Economics has an uncommon understanding of long-term economic trends as well as best practices for changing market conditions. ITR Economics’ reputation is built on accurate, independent, and objective analysis.

This report and its contents are the exclusive property of MHEDA and are intended solely for the use of its registered members.  All rights are reserved.

As the material handling industry looks toward 2026, competitive pressure is intensifying—particularly in the storage & handling and systems integrator space. New entrants, adjacent industries, and acquisition-driven expansion are reshaping the landscape, raising important questions about differentiation, execution, and long-term customer trust. In this episode of Table Trends, MHEDA leadership and board members unpack how competition is evolving and what it truly takes to succeed in increasingly complex solution-based markets.

The discussion highlights why systems integration and storage solutions are not easy markets to enter, emphasizing the critical role of experience, technical expertise, and disciplined execution. Panelists explore how strong customer relationships, deep operational knowledge, and an understanding of permitting, safety, and installation requirements serve as key defenses against growing competition.

Featured guests also address the risks of overextending into unfamiliar solution areas, noting how a single misstep can jeopardize long-standing customer relationships. From automation to rack and storage projects, the conversation reinforces that winning in today’s market depends on knowing your customer, understanding their business, and delivering well-executed solutions—not just selling products.

Whether you’re a dealer, integrator, or supplier, this episode offers valuable insight into navigating increased competition, protecting customer trust, and positioning your business for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving industry.

As customer expectations continue to evolve across the material handling industry, speed, transparency, and partnership are becoming critical differentiators. In this episode of Table Trends, industry leaders discuss how dealers, integrators, and suppliers are adapting to these changes while maintaining healthy margins.

The conversation explores the shift from transactional relationships to long-term partnerships, with customers increasingly looking to suppliers for advisory support, continuous improvement, and insight beyond the initial sale. Panelists share how enhanced communication, clearer expectation-setting, and value-added services—such as fleet reporting and one-stop solutions—are helping businesses better serve customers in a fast-paced environment.

Whether you’re a dealer, integrator, or supplier, this episode offers practical insight into meeting rising customer expectations, strengthening relationships, and delivering long-term value in a competitive marketplace.

As the material handling industry looks ahead to 2026, uncertainty around geopolitics, tariffs, and supply chain volatility continues to shape customer behavior and business strategy. This episode of Table Trends brings together MHEDA leadership and board members to discuss how these external forces are influencing pricing, purchasing decisions, and long-term planning across the industry.

The conversation explores the importance of transparency with customers, diversification of suppliers, and helping end users weigh the true cost of indecision against efficiency gains and operational improvements. Panelists also share how nearshoring, evolving lead times, and broader economic pressures are creating both challenges and new opportunities for material handling companies willing to adapt.

Whether you’re a dealer, integrator, or supplier, this episode offers practical insight into navigating change, supporting customer decision-making, and positioning your business for sustainable growth in the year ahead.

Company culture doesn’t happen by accident — and when it’s done right, it can transform everything from employee engagement to business performance.

In this episode, host Katie Richards sits down with Al Curnow, Vice President of CultureWise, to explore why culture matters, how leaders can shape it intentionally, and what consistent reinforcement looks like in practice.

Drawing on real-world examples from MHEDA member companies, Al shares how clearly defined behaviors, weekly rituals, and shared language can help organizations build strong foundations that support growth, retention, and leadership development — even during challenging times.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about culture or looking to strengthen what’s already in place, this conversation offers practical insights and a refreshingly simple approach to creating a workplace where people — and businesses — thrive.

Al Curnow is the Vice President of CultureWise and works with organizations around the world to help leaders intentionally design, drive, and sustain high-performing cultures. With more than a decade of experience and hundreds of client partnerships, Al specializes in translating values into everyday behaviors that improve performance, engagement, and accountability.

In the October 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptability in a competitive marketplace.

To access the full report and explore archived issues, simply log in to your MHEDA member account and order the FREE report. This exclusive resource is part of MHEDA’s commitment to supporting members with relevant, actionable economic insights to fuel strategic planning and success.

ITR Economics is the oldest privately held, continuously operating economic research and consulting firm in the US. ITR Economics has provided business leaders with economic information, insight, analysis, and strategy since 1948. With a knowledge base that spans seven decades, ITR Economics has an uncommon understanding of long-term economic trends as well as best practices for changing market conditions. ITR Economics’ reputation is built on accurate, independent, and objective analysis.

This report and its contents are the exclusive property of MHEDA and are intended solely for the use of its registered members.  All rights are reserved.