High expectations for sustainability and digitalization

Which business topics currently top the agenda for system integrators in Germany? And which trends will have gained widespread acceptance in the material-handling industry by 2030? A survey conducted by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML on behalf of Interroll offers insight into companies’ current and future priorities.

It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future,” is a well-known saying. Yet there is nothing more important for the success of a company than knowing the needs and expectations of its customers. This applies to the logistics industry as much as any other. To provide an empirical basis for predicting what’s in store, Interroll therefore commissioned an industry survey among system integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consulting companies. The “Intralogistics in 2030” survey was conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML in July, August and September 2023. It involved 60 decision-makers in management, sales and development positions in Germany, working for companies that primarily deal with solutions for warehouse and distribution logistics, and the fashion and e-commerce sectors.

Market Conditions Are Currently Challenging

The findings were full of insight. Respondents cited the three most important challenges currently facing their companies in Germany as the shortage of skilled workers, competition and availability of materials, in that order. The predominant issue at the moment is therefore the day-to-day struggle with general market conditions. This assessment was confirmed by expert interviews conducted in parallel with the survey, which emphasized the volatility of incoming orders. In contrast, challenges arising from digitalization, such as information technology (IT) security or artificial intelligence (AI), currently play a much less important role.

The shortage of skilled workers, rising energy costs and difficulties in procuring materials and resources are major current challenges for companies.

Flexible, Scalable And Modular Automation In Demand

When asked about current trends in their companies, the topic of sustainability topped the agenda for 78 percent of survey participants, followed by IT security (71 percent), mobile robotics (70 percent) and artificial intelligence (62 percent). And when it comes to the requirements that companies place on automation systems, flexibility (74 percent), scalability (65 percent), and modularity (62 percent),were the top priorities. These are aspects that Interroll MultiControl, for example, addresses to reduce the complexity of automation solutions (see pages 24-27).

Sustainability And Digitalization A Key Focus

Looking forward, what are respondents’ expectations for the year 2030? Which topics and trends do they think will become important for their own work and be established by then? Digitalization topics such as AI and Big Data are the big movers here, becoming significantly more important – what is seen as a challenge today will soon become a matter of course. For example, 92 percent of respondents think that the issue of sustainability will shape their business. This is followed by IT security (86 percent), AI (83 percent), Big Data (78 percent), mobile robotics (77 percent) and real-time supply chain tracking (74 percent). These views were reinforced in expert interviews, where the topic of digitalization also played an important role. This was not just around AI and Big Data, but also remote monitoring and control of systems, as well as cloud-based and new wireless networking technologies.

Interroll's Light Conveyor Platform & LCP AMR Top Module

Networked Material Flow Solutions Det To Become The Standard

Particularly interesting is what system integrators and OEMs (i.e., Interroll’s customers) expect in 2030, opinions that reflect those of all technology providers that want to remain successful in this industry. By 2030, 83 percent of respondents want Interroll conveyor and sorting systems that are ready for Internet of Things (IOT) applications and compatible with mobile robots. It’s worth noting here that Interroll’s LCP AMR Top Module (see pages 28-31) is already meeting this demand. Finally, 60 percent of customers are seeking solutions for predictive maintenance by 2030 (see pages 48-50), while 55 percent expect solutions that add IOT capabilities to existing systems.

Download our white paper and gain exciting insights into the VUCA world of today and the intralogistics scenario of tomorrow.

Download our white paper and gain exciting insights into the VUCA world of today and the intralogistics scenario of tomorrow.