More than 40,000 materials handling industry professionals from 80 countries are expected to visit Promat 2003, which opens in Chicago on February 10.

Staged by the Material Handling Industry of America, the four-day event has attracted more than 650 exhibitors.

The promoters say it is the only international show of its kind in the US this year.

Promat 2003's exhibits are separated into four "solution centres": the centre for equipment, components & manufacturing solutions;
the centre for information technology solutions;
the centre for fulfillment & delivery solutions; and
the centre for assembly logistics & support solutions.

Industry experts will lead educational sessions focusing on issues facing the world materials handling industry, and the latest materials handling innovations and applications.