Hear material handling industry economic insight, trends and member perspectives when you listen to MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association) podcasts. Learn what thought leaders in our industry have to say about improving business operations and staying relevant in a changing industry.
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Explore the Skills, Mindset, and Leadership Habits Every Emerging Leader Needs to Succeed In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards speaks with Brittany Neish, founder of What You Do Matters and host of MHEDA’s NextGen Virtual Series, about building stronger leadership skills through care, compassion and self-awareness. Brittany explains why leaders don’t need to have all the answers, explores common blind spots such as an “I” versus “we” mentality and discusses why high performers do not automatically become effective managers. She also shares why people skills are increasingly valu
Introducing the Quarterly Industry Sentiment Analysis In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards welcomes Tim Dawson, Chief Research Officer at Interact Analysis, to discuss MHEDA’s new partnership with Interact Analysis and the value of industry sentiment data. Tim shares how sentiment reports help capture the industry’s collective outlook by measuring trends in areas such as new orders, backlog, sales cycles, deal size, lead times, staffing, and employee retention. Unlike traditional benchmarking reports that require detailed financial input, sentiment reports provide a quick and co
In the July 2026 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptability i
Influence, Trust, and the Social Skills That Will Define Tomorrow’s Leaders In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards sits down with leadership expert, workplace performance specialist, and Emerging Leaders Conference keynote speaker Henna Pryor to explore how professionals can stand out in an increasingly AI-driven world. Henna shares insights on influence, communication, adaptability, and why human-centered skills are becoming more important—not less—as technology advances. From navigating uncertainty to building meaningful relationships and increasing your impact, this conversatio
Building a Workplace People Want to Be Part Of In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards sits down with Meredith Shay, Owner & CEO of InCord, and Robin Ritz, Owner & VP of Sales and Marketing at InCord, to discuss what it takes to create a workplace culture employees genuinely want to be part of. Recognized as a top workplace year after year, InCord shares how intentional leadership, consistent communication, employee feedback, and personal growth initiatives have helped shape a culture built on trust, accountability, and connection. Meredith and Robin also explore the importance of
What to Expect at MODEX 2026: Insights from MHI In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards sits down with Daniel McKinnon, Chief Exhibitions Officer at MHI, to explore what attendees can expect at MODEX 2026—one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the material handling industry. Daniel shares a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s event, highlighting new show floor features, expanded educational opportunities, and the continued growth of emerging technologies shaping the industry. He also discusses key trends driving attendance, including the rise of automation, increa
In the April 2026 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptability
How Leaders Build Teams People Don’t Want to Leave In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Katie Richards sits down with Joe Mull, author, founder of Boss Hero School, and speaker at the 2026 MHEDA Convention, to explore what it truly takes to build a workplace where employees want to stay. Joe shares insights from his research and experience in leadership development, challenging common assumptions about retention and engagement. He discusses why the idea that “no one wants to work anymore” misses the mark and reframes the conversation around quality of life, trust, and the overall employee expe
Consolidation, Competition, and Opportunity Industry consolidation continues to reshape the material handling landscape as private equity investment, acquisitions, and strategic mergers accelerate across the market. In this episode of Table Trends, CEO Lauren Reed joins MHEDA board members to discuss how consolidation is influencing competition, customer relationships, and long-term business strategy across the industry. The conversation explores how private equity and large-scale acquisitions are changing the competitive environment—bringing both new opportunities and new pressures for distri
AI as a Business Tool, Not a Buzzword As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, material handling companies are moving beyond curiosity and into practical application. In this episode of Table Trends, CEO Lauren Reed is joined by MHEDA board members to explore how AI is reshaping operations, decision-making, and customer experience across the industry. From contract reviews to service automation, the discussion highlights how companies are leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency while maintaining human oversight. Panelists share how AI is streamlining complex and time-consuming processes.
Workforce Dynamics and the Next Generation of Leadership As workforce expectations continue to evolve across the material handling industry, companies are navigating new challenges around engagement, accountability, and leadership development. This episode of Table Trends brings together CEO, Lauren Reed and MHEDA board members to discuss how shifting workforce dynamics are influencing the way organizations communicate, manage teams, and build the next generation of leaders. The conversation explores the growing importance of flexibility, open communication, and creating environments where emp
In the January 2026 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptabilit
Experience, Execution, and the Future of Competition As the material handling industry looks toward 2026, competitive pressure is intensifying—particularly in the storage & handling and systems integrator space. New entrants, adjacent industries, and acquisition-driven expansion are reshaping the landscape, raising important questions about differentiation, execution, and long-term customer trust. In this episode of Table Trends, MHEDA leadership and board members unpack how competition is evolving and what it truly takes to succeed in increasingly complex solution-based markets. The discussio
Raising the Bar on Customer Expectations As customer expectations continue to evolve across the material handling industry, speed, transparency, and partnership are becoming critical differentiators. In this episode of Table Trends, industry leaders discuss how dealers, integrators, and suppliers are adapting to these changes while maintaining healthy margins. The conversation explores the shift from transactional relationships to long-term partnerships, with customers increasingly looking to suppliers for advisory support, continuous improvement, and insight beyond the initial sale. Panelists
Navigating Uncertainty and Opportunity As the material handling industry looks ahead to 2026, uncertainty around geopolitics, tariffs, and supply chain volatility continues to shape customer behavior and business strategy. This episode of Table Trends brings together MHEDA leadership and board members to discuss how these external forces are influencing pricing, purchasing decisions, and long-term planning across the industry. The conversation explores the importance of transparency with customers, diversification of suppliers, and helping end users weigh the true cost of indecision against ef
Building an Intentional Culture That Drives Performance Company culture doesn’t happen by accident — and when it’s done right, it can transform everything from employee engagement to business performance. In this episode, host Katie Richards sits down with Al Curnow, Vice President of CultureWise, to explore why culture matters, how leaders can shape it intentionally, and what consistent reinforcement looks like in practice. Drawing on real-world examples from MHEDA member companies, Al shares how clearly defined behaviors, weekly rituals, and shared language can help organizations build stron
In the October 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptabilit
Leading with Passion and Purpose In this episode, Katie Richards sits down with Lauren Reed, MHEDA’s newly appointed CEO, to discuss her journey from cold calling in the material handling industry to leading the association into an exciting new chapter. Lauren shares how her early experiences at Concept and Storage Solutions shaped her leadership style, the mentors who encouraged her to “dream big,” and her vision for driving MHEDA’s growth through collaboration, innovation, and member engagement. Tune in to hear Lauren’s insights on building strong networks, fostering meaningful connections,
The Art of Negotiation In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, sits down with Fotini Iconomopoulos, negotiation and communication expert, author, and keynote speaker, to discuss how to confidently navigate difficult conversations, from salary discussions to high-stakes boardroom meetings. Fotini, a featured speaker at MHEDA’s upcoming 2025 Women in Industry Conference, shares powerful, practical insights drawn from decades of experience training leaders around the world. Through relatable examples, humor, and science-backed advice, Fotini helps listeners refra
Century Strong: Adams Inc’s Journey In this episode, Katie Richards chats with Tim Hager, President and Owner of Adams, Inc., headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. Adams, Inc. is celebrating an incredible milestone — 100 years in business — and Tim shares what it means to carry that legacy forward while preparing for the next century. From a team of six making a lasting impact, to celebrating a century of success, this conversation highlights the strength of values-driven leadership and the future of material handling. Key Topics Discussed The history of Adams, Inc. and how the company has evo
Master Manager Program In this episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, continues the conversation on MHEDA’s Master Manager Program. Returning guest Jeremy Wall, President of GoalMakers and program facilitator, is joined by Jim Ripkey, President of Hy-Tek Intralogistics and long-time MHEDA member and contributor. Together, they explore the critical skills of goal setting, leadership development, and coaching managers to move from “doers” to effective leaders. Jeremy provides an overview of the 10-week program, which blends self-paced learning with live peer-to-peer se
Master Manager Program In part 1 of this 2-part episode of MHEDA Talks, host Shari Altergott, CEO of The CX Edge, is joined by Mike Vaughan, CFO at Thompson & Johnson Equipment, and Jeremy Wall, co-founder and CEO at GoalMakers, to discuss MHEDA’s Master Manager Program. Now entering its fifth year, this 10-week hybrid program blends self-paced online learning with live biweekly Zoom sessions, designed to strengthen leadership, financial acumen, and operational effectiveness. Participants gain practical tools to improve decision-making, align team goals, and understand how every role impacts a
Evolving with Integrity In this episode, Katie Richards chats with Katie Stephens, Marketing Manager at Morse Manufacturing, about leading a rebrand for a company with over 100 years of history in the material handling industry. With a background in construction equipment and dealership marketing, Stephens shares how she brought fresh perspective and strategy to Morse’s recent transformation—including the development of a new logo, revamped website, and modernized brand identity. Katie discusses the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, the role of user experience in design, and how
In the July 2025 Economic Advisory Report, MHEDA presents insights from ITR Economics specifically focused on the material handling industry. The MHEDA Quarterly Economic Report, published by ITR Economics, provides an in-depth look into the latest economic data and forecasts. This report is designed to equip MHEDA members with critical insights to help navigate market trends, understand economic cycles, and make informed business decisions. By accessing both current and archived issues, MHEDA members gain a valuable, data-driven perspective to support their long-term growth and adaptability i
The Power of Partnerships In today’s dynamic business environment, strong partnerships are more critical than ever. This episode of Table Trends explores how material handling companies are building and maintaining meaningful relationships with key stakeholders — from OEMs and vendors to customers and internal teams. Guests discuss the importance of proactive communication, shared values, and consistent follow-up to ensure every partnership is built on trust and mutual success. Strategies include involving partners in regular team meetings, hosting lunch-and-learns, and empowering sales teams
