Automation Shifts From Optional to Essential – MODEX 2026 Insights You Can’t Pass Up
Tension had the pleasure of attending the 2026 MODEX show in Atlanta this year. From April 13-16, we connected with customers, partners, and fellow industry leaders. This blog outlines some of our key takeaways.
MODEX 2026 made one thing clear: the industry is moving faster, thinking smarter, and demanding more from automation. Across every conversation, one theme consistently surfaced. How to do more with less, without adding complexity.
Hear from three of our subject matter experts on what to look out for in packaging and automation this year.
Automation Has Shifted from Optional to Essential
“The biggest takeaway is that automation is not a ‘nice to have’—it’s a requirement. We are seeing customers being much more strategic in their purchases. They are not looking for one-off pieces of machinery, they want to see how it fits into their entire system.”
— Jim Herbert, VP & GM of Tension Packaging & Automation
That sentiment echoed across our conversations. What stood out even more was how companies are approaching automation. There is a clear shift toward practical systems that can be deployed quickly and scaled over time.
Want to know more about how to start small and scale with confidence?
Intelligence Is Becoming the Differentiator
“Warehouse technology isn’t simply automated; it is becoming more adaptive… capable of making real time operational decisions.”
— Erin Moloney, Account Executive
Robotics were everywhere at MODEX, but the real story was the intelligence layered on top. AI-driven optimization, adaptive workflows, and smarter decision making are reshaping fulfillment operations. When paired with packaging automation platforms like fitPACK500™ and HPS300, these technologies create connected workflows that are faster, more efficient, and more responsive.
See how fitPACK500™ is driving smarter packaging outcomes:
Labor and Cost Pressures Continue to Drive Urgency
“No matter how large or small a company is, the goal is to further automate their warehouses and distribution centers.”
— Jeff Ringel, Account Executive
Labor challenges remain one of the most pressing issues. Companies are struggling to find and retain qualified workers, leading to inconsistent operations.
At the same time, rising costs and economic uncertainty are pushing organizations to rethink how they operate. Automation is about more than efficiency. It is about stability and long-term sustainability.
Explore automation strategies built for today’s labor challenges:
Flexibility Over Complexity
“There’s a common belief that more automation always equals better outcomes. In reality, the key is thoughtful system design.”
— Jim Herbert, VP & GM of Tension Automation & Packaging
As automation adoption increases, so does the need for balance. Overly complex systems can create new bottlenecks instead of solving them.
Customers are looking for flexibility, systems that handle variability, and solutions that integrate cleanly with existing operations.
Learn how to design automation systems that actually work together:
MODEX 2026 offered a clear preview of where the industry is heading. Not toward isolated machines solving single tasks, but toward connected systems working together intelligently.
The opportunity is not just to automate. It is to automate with purpose.
Start building a smarter, more connected operation by getting in touch now.