CeMAT Australia is wrapping up in Sydney after three days characterised by the rise of automated solutions, not just for warehouses, but increasingly for retail applications. 

Our editor-at-large Allan Leibowitz will report in detail next week, but he says he was struck by the significant presence of Chinese manufacturers at the event, all keen for a slice of Australia’s growing logistics and materials handling market.

Overall, according to Allan, there was strong optimism from vendors, despite tightening budgets in the face of rising interest rates, growing inflation fears and an extremely tight labour market in Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the big materials handling companies are starting to report their second quarter and first half financial results.

It will be interesting to read how these big hitters expect the industry to fare for the remainder of 2023.

Most are still recovering from the supply chain disruptions of recent years, but the initial comments appear to be quietly optimistic.

Finnish lifting specialist Konecranes is among the first of the European materials handling companies to release their financial results.

Chief executive officer Anders Svensson says there are some signs that things are not yet fully back on track.