MEGATRANS24 will spotlight the industry’s pivot towards sustainability.
MEGATRANS, Australia’s largest logistics transport, supply chain, and materials handling exhibition event, returns to Melbourne this year.
In a fast-evolving logistics and supply chain landscape, MEGATRANS stands as Australia’s foremost integrated logistics and supply chain exhibition and conference.
The event is set for 18-19 September 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Biennially hosted by Prime Creative Media, MEGATRANS will spotlight the industry’s pivot towards key priorities – future fleets, zero-carbon warehouses, traceable supply chains, and cold chain solutions.
“Before launching MEGATRANS2024, we asked the industry, ‘What is important to you?’ The resounding response was ‘Sustainability’, hence this year, our focus was on the sustainable supply chain – from zero-carbon warehouses to electric fleets and beyond,” says Lauren Chartres, Show Director for MEGATRANS2024.
The event is supported by sponsors, including the Networking Lounge Sponsor, Loscam, and Prime Creative’s Association Partners, SCLAA, and VTA.
An integral part of the event is to offer a platform for industry leaders to connect and deliberate on the role of sustainability in the future of the supply chain, and how they will be a part of the solution.
It will also showcase sessions led by industry leaders steering sustainable supply chain advancements, delivering insights and strategic perspectives.
Lauren also mentioned the steps Prime Creative Media is taking as hosts in line with the theme of the event.
“At PCM, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a commitment,” says Lauren.
“For our events, including the upcoming one, we’ve reduced single-use products, prioritised reusable signage, and opted for sustainable materials whenever feasible. Partnering with suppliers who share our strong sustainability ethos is key – like the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which diligently sorts waste to minimise landfill impact.”
The exhibition floor will feature diverse exhibitors presenting state-of-the-art warehousing solutions and transportation technologies.
“MEGATRANS is the leading supply chain event on the calendar,” says Sam Rowse, Director of MachShip, a key exhibitor at the event this year.
“We’ve exhibited once before and attended several times. Our market consistently shows up to this event, and we’ve had many positive experiences there.
“In terms of new interactions and leads, the outcomes have been extremely positive and have translated into significant gains for our business. This event is where our market gathers, and we aim to make a significant impact.
“We have two specific goals: first, to continue growing our knowledge and experience in the sustainability space. MEGATRANS is crucial for achieving that and staying current. Secondly, we see an opportunity to communicate our sustainability initiatives to the market.”
The attendees will be able to hear from speakers representing companies such as ANL, Toll Group, Prological, Deloitte, Jones Lang LaSalle, Mosaic Brands, OneStop, and the Victorian Government.
“An event like MEGATRANS is a great way to expose the technology we’ve developed to the market and gives us a unique opportunity to speak to hundreds of people who are within this industry to get their feedback and use that to drive our product development journey as well,” says Dominic Lindsay, CEO and Co-founder at Nexabot, an exhibitor at the event.
Based in Melbourne and founded in 2023, Nexobot is an automation startup that has been working for the last couple of years to build, design manufacture, and parcel item sorting robots locally.
Furthermore, MEGATRANS will play host to the MHD Supply Chain Solutions Mercury Awards. This prestigious event seeks to honour businesses and individuals epitomising innovation, excellence, and leadership within the industry with a special focus on a new category – The MHD Sustainable Warehouse Award.
The MHD Sustainable Warehouse Competition aims to celebrate and promote the ground-breaking efforts of warehouses across Australia that are reducing their emissions and implementing sustainable practices.
“We contribute to sustainability by significantly reducing shipping emissions through local manufacturing here in Australia. We employ extensive 3D printing capabilities locally, minimising our reliance on imports. This approach allows us to reduce our carbon footprint from shipping to about one-fifth that of our competitors,” explains Dominic.
“Our use of 3D printing also affords us access to a diverse array of materials. Our primary material, bioplastic derived from corn instead of oil, exemplifies our commitment to environmentally friendly practices.”
Fleets of the future
A new feature of MEGATRANS – Fleets of the Future will offer fleet managers a glimpse of the solutions that will be taking them into the next decade. From electric vehicles to charging stations, telematics solutions and fleet management software, companies offering these cutting-edge technologies will come together, for the very first time.
“With the decarbonisation of transportation coming fast, our vehicles are undertaking a once-in-a-century transformation”, says Lauren.
Technology that was previously unattainable is now a reality, and progressive fleets are locking in their solutions promptly. Companies who want to be included in future fleets must take advantage of every chance to showcase their technologies, Lauren added.
Cold chain solutions
In partnership with the Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association of Australia (RWTA), MEGATRANS2024 is set to emphasise enhancing the sustainability of the cold chain, with efforts directed towards lowering carbon emissions, cutting waste, and integrating eco-friendly technologies.
Cold chain solutions are critical for preserving the integrity of perishable goods. From food to pharmaceuticals, advanced cold chain solutions will play a pivotal role in the sustainable supply chain of the future.
The event will showcase exhibitors engaged in this space and will host conference sessions discussing the newest technologies, innovations, and regulatory developments to ensure sustainable practices in the whole chain function.
Zero-carbon warehouses
Zero-carbon warehouses lead the logistics industry by incorporating advanced energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and strategic carbon offsetting to minimise carbon footprints.
MEGATRANS2024 will highlight the pioneering concept of zero-carbon warehouses and showcase a diverse array of solutions that enable environmentally friendly warehouse operations like never before.
Traceable supply chains
Traceability in supply chains is increasingly vital in today’s global economy, ensuring transparency and accountability at every stage of the supply chain process.
These standards not only bolster commercial efficiency by streamlining operations and reducing risks but also promote ethical sourcing practices.
By enabling companies to trace the origins and journey of products, traceability measures help combat the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard goods, safeguarding consumer trust and brand reputation.
It is also important to remember that robust traceability frameworks are instrumental in ensuring adherence to the highest sustainability standards, facilitating the identification of environmentally responsible practices supporting efforts towards reducing carbon footprints and promoting circular economy principles.
Go on the website to register for MEGATRANS 2024