The last three years can be summed up as transformational. The logistics sector has faced, and dealt with, so many challenges in a relatively short period.
From Brexit and the additional complexity that this brings with it, to Covid-19 and the Pandemic. And on to the explosion in e-commerce and changes to consumer buying habits. The logistics industry is now headline news. No longer are we that forgotten sector and our resilience and perseverance has ensured that the wheels of the UK’s economy have kept turning. Our association leaders and esteemed academics are regulars across mainstream media and TV. Finally, logistics is in the limelight, and it is for all the right reasons.
Out of adversity comes opportunity, and the logistics sector has ceased the day. We have seen businesses significantly invest in their supply chain operations and warehouse footprints. Our own IMHX Optimism Index highlighted that 80% of respondents expected their operations to grow in 2022.
A recent report commission by Colliers’ points to a record year for warehouse property with the take-up of new facilities smashing previous records at 50.7 million sq ft. Research from Savills highlights that in 2015 the warehouse footprint for online retailers was just a shade below 8m sq ft. Fast forward to today and that footprint has risen by to 60m sq ft. And analysis conducted by Prologis expands further on this. For every extra £1bn spent online, the additional warehouse requirement is a staggering 775,000sq ft. And with online sales predicted to surpass £150bn by 2024 this will add further strain on our supply chains, but it also opens up further development opportunities.
We are living in the age of automation, robotics and digitalisation have come to the fore, and this will be reflected on the show floor at IMHX. IMHX has always had a unique position within the logistics and supply chain calendar. We are an event of scale – both in terms of size and the number of visitors we attract. We have a myriad of intralogistics suppliers on hand to provide visitors with expert insights and guidance. We have a plethora of live product demonstrations, both on exhibitors stands and as part of our interactive Demo Zone. And to complement this we are developing a fantastic conference programme. Our overarching theme is Sustainability which will see us focus on topics like Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Sustainable Tech along with Warehouse Infrastructure.
Talking of Sustainability, new for this year is the IMHX Sustainability Zone. This will provide visitors with the opportunity to evaluate and discuss the developments that are shaping today’s sustainable supply chains. Developed in partnership with SEC Group and sponsored by Crown Lift Trucks, Intelligent Energy, ASG Services, Cranfield University, Prologis and Altruistiq, this will be a dynamic space which will host physical exhibits along with augmented and virtual reality.
With some 300+ exhibitors, a comprehensive programme and unparalleled networking all under one roof IMHX is the event that you need to attend, and we are looking forward to welcoming you to this year’s IMHX which takes place at the NEC from 6 – 8 September.
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