This month’s Material Handling Minute focuses on a continuing warehouse shortage caused by the trending proliferation of AI. With rapid growth in digital media consumption, data centers are struggling to handle the capacity and electricity needed to support the explosive growth of the digital age, and at the heart of the shortage is a lack of warehouse space. As data centers struggle to obtain available warehouse square footage and sufficient power sources, the material handling industry is feeling the impact. How will our industry meet the need?

Last week’s story from Reuters reviews how U.S. electric utility companies are fielding massive requests for power as tech companies seek options to power their businesses. MPC doesn’t see this issue going away any time soon and believe we will continue to see the rise of data centers in less populated communities. 

Read the full article here.

In other material handling news, next week kicks off the annual MHEDA conference! MPC will be in Tampa April 27-29 as both participants and exhibitors at this year’s event, so make sure to stop by and say hello at booth #83! Always an informative and educational event, we look forward to the MHEDA convention and its networking opportunities. For a closer look at the agenda and this year’s keynotes, visit the MHEDA website.