Inside ProMat 2025: Innovation, Automation, and What's Next

MasterMover Global Brand Manager, Lucy Cresswell, recounts an incredibly successful week in Chicago at ProMat 2025 – a key event for MasterMover and the supply chain industry.

"A record-breaking crowd gathered at McCormick Place, Chicago, for ProMat 2025, transforming the venue into a hub of energy and innovation focused on the future of supply chain, manufacturing, and material handling. 

Coinciding with a festive St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the show opened with palpable excitement and a clear appetite for forward-thinking solutions – fueled, perhaps, by a few too many Guinness and a couple plates of corned beef and cabbage the night before. 

ProMat 2025 welcomed an impressive 52,223 registrants and 1,160 exhibitors, filling 659,000 square feet of exhibit space and offering 215 educational sessions across three expansive halls. For the first time, the newly introduced Lakeside Hall provided an additional area to explore, complete with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. 

This was MHI’s largest ProMat event to date, with a 3% increase in registered attendees compared to the previous show. Attendees represented not only the United States but also 143 countries, underscoring the show’s global reach and influence. 

MasterMover makes moves at ProMat 2025 

ProMat 2025 marked our most successful participation to date. Our stand attracted strong footfall from decision-makers across manufacturing, distribution, and logistics sectors - all eager to engage with the future of ergonomic, smarter material handling solutions. 

Our standout feature was the exclusive live demonstration of the TOW300 AGV in partnership with BlueBotics, designed to showcase the autonomous movement of heavy-wheeled loads. Working as part of a multi-fleet demonstration, the TOW300 AGV showed how businesses can implement towing AGV solutions alongside existing equipment and systems. Attendees were particularly impressed by the machine’s payload capacity, outdoor capabilities, and durable design.  

Alongside our AGV demonstration, our best-in-class range of electric tuggers also drew interest from some of the country’s largest manufacturers and distribution centres. Our SM200+, a compact walkie tugger with a capacity of 4,400 lbs., was popular due to its ease of use and small footprint. On the other end of the scale, our heavy-duty PS3000+ remote control tugger with a capacity of 66,000 lbs. and beyond also drew a crowd.   

We were pleased by strong media interest, including promising conversations with the press, highlighting the growing recognition of AGVs and electric tuggers in building safer, more ergonomic environments. 

Key takeaways from ProMat 

Robots, were everywhere. But are they the answer to labor woes? 

Automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) were, unsurprisingly, dominant. Across all three halls, companies showcased advanced automation solutions, AI-powered systems, and robotics for every link in the supply chain. One standout trend was the sheer volume of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), along with a noticeable uptick in humanoid robots designed for picking and handling tasks. Just a year after MODEX 2024, the growth in AMR and robotics exhibitors was striking. 

There’s more to material handling than just automation 

This momentum is backed by the data, with the 2025 MHI Industry Report revealing that 83% of supply chain leaders plan to adopt robotics and automation within five years. With businesses facing labor shortages, economic uncertainty, and inventory pressures, these technologies are becoming critical strategic tools. 

That said, the buzz shouldn’t distract from the basics. Automation is a powerful enabler – but it’s not a universal fix. Despite the hype, real-world adoption of many automation technologies, AMRs, and AI is still lagging. 

From our experience across hundreds of manufacturing sites, many operations continue to rely on manual material handling. The cost and expertise required to reconfigure environments for automation remain hurdles. While adoption will undoubtedly grow, many businesses are still treating automation as a silver bullet. The reality? It isn’t. 

Our view is to start by mechanizing operations. Eliminate unnecessary manual effort, enhance ergonomics, and build a foundation of efficiency. Focus first on quick wins and target low-value, repetitive, and predictable tasks. For instance, automating towing tractor or ride-on tugger routes can yield high ROI, especially in multi-shift operations. 

Start small. Scale smart. Avoid gimmicks.  

Looking ahead to MODEX 2026 

As we look ahead to MODEX 2026 (yes, it’s already time to start planning for Atlanta), we’re excited about what the next 12 months will bring for both our business and our customers. 

We’ll be building on the strong momentum of ProMat by preparing for a bigger, better, and bolder presence at MODEX 2026 - one that reflects our continued commitment to innovation, growth, and shaping the future of material handling. 

A sincere thank you to the organisers of ProMat 2025 and everyone who visited our stand. The show continues to be an essential platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and strategic partnerships. 

We look forward to continuing the conversation – and shaping the future of smart, safe material handling together. "

About the author

Lucy Cresswell

Heading up our marketing efforts across the UK, USA, France, and Germany, Lucy brings a wealth of customer insight and experience to her position and a passion for global manufacturing industries and trends.