Linde Material Handling has hosted ‘several thousand’ customers and prospects from around the world at its World of Material Handling (WoMH) event in Mannheim.

Over an area of 17,000 sqm at the Mannheim Maimarkt site, the intralogistics specialist presented its extensive portfolio of products, solutions and services over nine days.

The exhibit included a simulation of a bottle manufacturer to demonstrate the process from goods receipt to the last mile in the store. 

“Over the past two years, the overall economic environment has changed noticeably, and with it, (so have) the demands on in-house material flow,” says Stefan Prokosch, senior vice president - brand management, Linde Material Handling. “Increased energy costs, a shortage of skilled workers, higher demands on operational safety and the search for solutions that ensure greater sustainability – these are just some of the challenges facing our customers.

“At the same time, it’s important to tap the optimisation potential offered by digitisation and networking.” 

According to the chief brand manager, customer requirements can no longer be met with forklifts and warehouse technology equipment alone. “Over the last few years, Linde Material Handling has developed into a very broad-based solution provider that, in addition to its growing product range, offers an ever-increasing number of software solutions, assistance systems, consulting tools and service offerings such as battery leasing or predictive maintenance,” Prokosch explains. 

The WoMH is a unique event in which guests do not just come to the exhibitors’ stands for a brief flying visit, as they would at other trade shows. Instead, they experienced the products and solutions live and in motion for an entire day in realistic application scenarios. At the same time, they had the opportunity to discuss their individual challenges and wishes with product experts and consultants and find suitable solutions.

The display included not only Linde equipment, but also Dematic’s AutoStore automatic small parts warehouse, a mobile weighing device from Ravas and a lifting platform from Palfinger.

The products and solutions of the numerous partner companies were integrated in the exhibition at various appropriate locations. EnerSys, Fronius, Hoppecke and Plug Power were featured in the expanded energy exhibition.

The event ended earlier this week and while Forkliftaction News was invited, we were not able attend.