Starting signal for participation

Year after year, clever engineers develop innovative new products for logistics and intralogistics. This is recognized by colleagues and appreciated by customers. However, some products are worthy of being put on the big stage: Because the innovative leap is particularly far, because the use for the customer is particularly high or because the product has been perfected down to the last detail. Preferably all three together. This is why the materialfluss editorial team has developed the PRODUCT OF THE YEAR award, which it has been presenting for the past five years.

The special thing about the prize is that the winner is not chosen by a jury, but by those for whom the products in the competition are ultimately intended and who always evaluate the products against the background of the requirements in their own company: the readers of materialfluss. This ensures a broad range of practical knowledge in the selection process.

The competition is intended to cover the entire technological spectrum. There are five categories, each with two to three sub-categories.

Category 1: Storage and order picking technology

The first competition category offers three sub-categories. They are all dedicated to basic warehouse equipment:

a) Storage and shelving systems

This is the right place for innovations in basic warehouse equipment: shelving systems that allow unusual designs or particularly high loads; constructions with a low dead weight or solutions for special environments such as explosion-proof areas or cold storage.

b) Order picking technology

Innovative workstations that take workers' health into account and increase picking efficiency are just as much in demand here as new cobot or other automation solutions.

c) Containers, boxes and pallets

Innovations also come from the bearing materials used. Environmentally friendly and resource-saving materials are just as much a winning factor as particularly high resistance or low weight.

Category 2: Conveying and lifting technology

The performance and efficiency of a warehouse depend crucially on the conveyor and lifting technology installed:

a) Conveyor technology, systems and components

Both floor-bound systems and suspended conveyor constructions compete at this point. Cranes, lifts and lifting platforms as well as the necessary components from rollers to drive technology and rails also find their place here.

b) Storage and retrieval machines and shuttles

Even traditional storage and retrieval machines still have a high potential for innovation, particularly thanks to the growing use of artificial intelligence in control systems. This applies all the more to shuttle technology, from the vehicles and guidance systems through to the control software.

Category 3: Industrial trucks

Vehicle technology in warehouses and operations has been undergoing enormous change for several years: diesel engines are making way for more environmentally friendly drives; assistance systems are increasing safety when lifting and driving and the digitalization and networking of all vehicles are revolutionizing the warehouse. Robotics is also driving innovation.

a) Industrial trucks: forklifts, tugger trains, pallet trucks

Logimat 2024 once again showed how much potential for improvement there still is in traditional warehouse vehicles. From hand pallet trucks and forklift trucks to tow tractors and large reach stackers.

b) Forklift attachments and components

The right accessories increase the performance of industrial trucks. Start-ups in particular have the opportunity to upgrade the existing fleet in the warehouse with smart ideas, be it new drive components, special forks or integrated weighing technology.

c) Autonomous mobile robots and AGVs

In view of the growing shortage of qualified warehouse staff, robots that find their own way and AGVs that follow predefined routes are increasingly becoming the focus of those responsible. Innovations here are coming from the hardware sector as well as from the integrated software.

Category 4: Software and identification technology

The huge media stir caused by large language models such as ChatGPT in recent months has also brought the topic of artificial intelligence to the fore. However, AI is not the only driver of innovation in the software sector. Other aspects include sensor technology and identification technology, which often make complex AI applications possible in the first place.

a) Software and AI

This category is for anyone who supports the operations or warehouse manager with software that supports logistics processes from the supply chain to incoming goods and production logistics through to warehouse management and shipping. What is in demand is what is efficient; whether with AI algorithms or classic programming

b) Sensors and identification technology

The quality of the sensors and identification technology used is what makes high-performance software and automation possible. Innovations in this area are correspondingly important and in demand.

Category 5: PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The last category is a little out of the ordinary: We are looking for the material flow PROJECT OF THE YEAR. This project can come from the field of logistics, from a goods transport center to an international supply chain solution. However, it can also be an intralogistics solution in a company or warehouse. What is important is the degree of challenge involved in the task, the originality of the solution found and the benefits for the customer in daily use.

Rules for the competition

The basis of the competition and the most important platform is the materialfluss website: www.materialfluss.de/produkte-des-jahres.htm. Here you will find all the latest information and news about the materialfluss PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2025. You can also submit your product here; as in previous years, we charge a fee for this. This is also where the voting for readers will start in December.