From February issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine

XPO Exhibitions is partnering with Hannover Fairs Australia to launch Logistics  Automation New Zealand, powered by CeMAT.  This will be held from 10-11 November at the Auckland Showgrounds.

The trade fair will bring together world-leading logistics, automation, robotics, intralogistics, warehousing, and supply chain management solutions under one roof.

A new era for logistics innovation in New Zealand

XPO’s Managing Director Brent Spillane says that with the rapid growth of high-tech logistics and automation, the time is right to give the sector its own dedicated platform.

“We are seeing a transformational technology expansion and growth of products delivering Robotics, Automation, Intralogistics, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management and Materials Handling. This cutting-edge technology is changing rapidly, yet it’s becoming more accessible and affordable for industry to bolt-on products and enjoy instant gains in productivity.”

CeMAT is a world-renowned leader of exhibitions in this space, with deep relationships across the biggest brands whose R&D is redefining logistics automation across the globe.

As Mike Nissen Commercial Director of Hannover Fairs Australia explains “This Joint Venture partnership, introduces new international brands into New Zealand. Brands that loyally participate across CeMAT exhibitions in Germany, North America, Australia and Asia Pacific.

“That international participation creates buzz and more value for domestic exhibiting brands – something we are evidencing in other markets we are entering.”

XPO have traditionally served the Materials Handling & Logistics NZ sector most notably alongside Foodtech Packtech, and while that industry (food manufacturing) have been early adopters, XPO’s Managing Director Brent Spillane says the time has come to broaden the scope to all industries where automation can play a pivotal role in streamlining processes, driving efficiencies, and improving  health and safety practices.

He adds, “Logistics  Automation New Zealand, powered by CeMAT brings together a far wider attendance of pan-industry sectors.”

“This is a must attend for any business with a warehouse, moving product from A to B, or looking to better understand how a new era in supply chain management and logistics technology can give them that competitive advantage.”

XPO have a database of tens of thousands of these very businesses – some already attending and/or exhibiting at other B2B trade shows they run including: EMEX, BuildNZ, Fine Food New Zealand, NZ Gift & Homewares Fairs, Facilities Integrate, The National Safety Show, SouthMACH, Foodtech Packtech and more.

“The robotics and automation at this show have the potential to transform entire industry sectors overnight. Importantly it’s not only large-scale operations that will benefit. SMEs can affordably begin the automation journey and get an edge over competitors.”

The organiser points to technology that delivers efficiency with incredible accuracy, so products are processed, picked and packed and sent to customers swiftly and on a scale never seen before. With New Zealand exports fast approaching $72B the challenge is set to reduce the tyranny of distance from important export markets.

Insights from Asia-Pacific

During a recent visit to Shanghai’s CeMAT Asia, Brent Spillane witnessed the scale of innovation across more than 80,000sqm of exhibiting Chinese and global suppliers.

From humanoid manufactured robots capable of complex load-handling tasks to high-speed pick-and-pack and warehouse racking systems, autonomous trucks and vans and so forth; the innovation pipeline is accelerating.

Suppliers were increasingly talking about Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific as fertile ground for expansion, especially with the US market becoming more difficult to sell into with protectionist tariffs.