5 Top Trends From ProMat 2025: What’s on the Minds of Warehouse Operators?

Another ProMat is in the books, and this year’s show reinforced the biggest challenges facing warehouse and distribution leaders. Throughout the event, we had insightful conversations with professionals across industries, all seeking smarter, more flexible automation solutions. Here are some of the most talked-about themes warehouse operators are tackling this year:

1. Running Out of Space — Or Not Making the Most of It

With rising rents and limited warehouse real estate, maximizing space is a top priority. Many attendees shared that they’re struggling to fit more inventory into their facilities and need solutions that leverage untapped or underutilized vertical space.

Most facilities still rely on human-led inventory operations, which significantly limits their ability to maximize storage. In many cases, storage is kept loose, restricted to just 6 to 8 feet in height, with wide aisles taking up valuable floor space. The need for denser, more vertical storage solutions is becoming increasingly urgent and a top priority for more facilities.

2. Handling More SKUs and Diverse Cases/Containers

Companies are looking for automation that isn’t limited to a small subset of inventory. Many solutions handle standard tote sizes but struggle with larger cases or a diverse range of SKUs. We heard from visitors who need automation that can manage a greater percentage of their inventory — including bulky or heavier items — without sacrificing efficiency.

3. Labor Challenges Continue to Drive Automation Adoption

It’s no surprise that labor shortages remain a major concern. Businesses are looking for ways to reduce dependency on manual labor tasks, especially for repetitive and physically demanding tasks in the warehouse. Automated picking and fulfillment solutions aren’t just for filling labor gaps — they enable employees to focus on higher-value work while increasing overall operational resilience.

4. Minimal Building Remediation: Brownfield Adaptability Matters

One of the most common concerns we heard was about implementation: Warehouse operators want automation that works within their existing facilities. Companies are wary of costly, time-consuming building modifications and instead prefer solutions that integrate seamlessly into their current layouts, minimizing downtime and disruption.

(We were excited to see the enthusiastic response to the launch of the HaiPick Climb system, an ideal solution for retrofitting existing facilities thanks to its simple installation and high return on investment.)

5. Long-Term Partnerships: Maintenance and Support Matter

Beyond just finding the right technology, businesses want reliable automation providers who will support them for years to come. Questions about ongoing service, spare parts availability, and proactive maintenance were top of mind. Companies want a partner that ensures long-term uptime and performance — not just a vendor that installs a system and walks away.

Local support was a key talking point, with many booth visitors expressing the value of partnering with Hai Robotics for dependable service.

Didn’t get a chance to visit us at ProMat? Let’s keep the conversation going! Contact an automation adviser today to learn how HaiPick Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems can optimize your inventory and fulfillment operations with a tailored, cost-effective solution.

From the Hai Robotics Booth

ProMat 2025 was a huge success, and we were thrilled to connect with so many industry leaders. The Hai Robotics booth was buzzing with live demos, insightful conversations, and the launch of HaiPick Climb — a revolutionary robotic solution that simplifies goods-to-person automation, making it easier than ever to retrofit existing facilities. Check out the highlights of our team in action!