MEGATRANS 2024, hosted by Prime Creative Media, was a key event on the calendar for the supply chain and logistics industry, with key stakeholders coming together to explore the future direction of the industry.
Held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre from September 18-19, 2024, the event served as a platform for industry leaders and innovators to engage in discussions on pressing challenges to overcome and opportunities to capitalise on.
The event showcased how sustainability and technological advancements intertwine, emphasising the connections and networking opportunities that the industry nurtures through gatherings like MEGATRANS.
With a top-tier list of speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the event aimed to shape the direction of the industry as it navigates a rapidly evolving market.
Industry Breakfast
The event was kick started by the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), which hosted its official opening breakfast.
VTA CEO Peter Anderson set the stage for the morning, emphasising the pressing logistics challenges that the industry faces and the need for collective action and innovation.
“The supply chain is connected. We can’t think in silos,” said Anderson.
The breakfast event’s sponsor, Zurich Resilience Solutions’s Peter Johannson, Principal Risk Engineer, delivered an insightful speech on resilience in the face of climate change, cyber threats, and technological advancements.
“Businesses are now being electrified as they deploy artificial intelligence solutions,” said Anderson.
He highlighted that social engineering is essential for companies looking to enhance their operations. To achieve Scope 3 targets, he recommended focusing on supply chain mapping, governance, and
risk management.
“The human element is also important. We should aim to have well, happy, and resilient employees,” he said.
Meanwhile, Melissa Horne, the Victorian Minister for Roads & Road Safety and Ports and Freight, spoke to the audience about upcoming Victorian government projects poised to transform the logistics landscape.
She emphasised the West Gate Tunnel, set to open in 2025, and the North-East Link, both of which are expected to improve freight efficiency.
“My role is to work with the VTA as a facilitator for a sustainable and productive freight sector,” says Melissa.
In an era where the demand for skilled labour continues to rise, Horne also celebrated the success of the Truck Driver Program, which has trained nearly 400 heavy vehicle drivers since
its inception.
“Twenty-five per cent of the drivers trained so far have been women,” said Horne.
John Murphy, CEO, Prime Creative Media, rounded out the morning’s speeches with a call for collaboration.
“The future of the sustainable supply chain provides both opportunities and challenges as we work towards reducing our carbon footprint,” said Murphy.
The breakfast was only the beginning of a dynamic day at MEGATRANS 2024 when the show floor opened to thousands of attendees.
Visitors explored the latest innovations and engaged with industry leaders, setting the stage for conversations and connections.
Industry insights
The conference featured a series of sessions that delved deeper into specific industry challenges and innovations.
One such session, sponsored by OneStop, focused on enhancing visibility and efficiency within the interconnected supply chain.
This was followed by a discussion by Toll Group on “Creating the Sustainable Fleet of the Future,” where experts tackled the pressing need for decarbonising logistics fleets.
Post-lunch discussions included a seminar titled “Sustainability and Safety in Supply Chain,” where the panel discussed how automation and digitisation are paving the way for greener operations.
The session on “Decarbonising International Shipping & Transport” offered insights into achieving net-zero commitments by 2050, a challenge that requires concerted efforts.
Day two of MEGATRANS 2024 continued to foster collaboration, with discussions on the integration of in-warehouse and on-the-road fleets, moving from ambition to action in supply chain sustainability, and leveraging telematics for efficiency gains.
“We think that the transport industry is a key market for us,” says Adam Duncan, General Manager
of Sales at Adaptalift.
“We’ve had good feedback from all our team that have worked on the stand. It’s been positive, good engagement from some potential customers, and we look forward to following up the leads.”
One of the event’s partners, the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) held a lineup
of seminars.
This included opening remarks from Stephen Lakey, Director, SCLAA, followed by seminars named Trust in Supply Chain Technologies, Eco-Innovation: Driving Profits and Planetary Health, A Fresh Perspective on Inventory Management for Supply Chain Efficiency, Integrating Sustainability and ESG into Supply Chain Management for Competitive Advantage, and Simplifying International Shipping and Transport.
MEGATRANS is a pivotal event for industry leaders to confront the evolving challenges in logistics and supply
chain management.
“It’s about brand recognition in this space for us,” said Richard Boothey, business development manager, Kärcher.
“The exposure that we’ve got out of it has been great. We’ve had a steady flow of traffic and a lot of interest in products, particularly the robotics side of the business,”
“This year’s event has exceeded the footfall seen at the last MEGATRANS, which speaks volumes about the industry’s enthusiasm,” said Lauren Chartres, show director.
“The positive feedback from attendees signalled a strong desire for continued dialogue and innovation in the logistics sector.”
MEGATRANS 2024 has set a new benchmark for engagement and innovation in the logistics sector. With record attendance and meaningful dialogue, the event was a collective commitment to sustainability, technology, and resilience, ensuring a dynamic future for the industry.
Mercury Awards showcase
The Mercury Awards celebrated noteworthy achievements in the logistics and supply chain industry and were sponsored by SEW EURODRIVE
The event placed an emphasis on innovation and sustainability, showcasing both established industry leaders and emerging talents.
Merging with the Australian Bulk Handling Awards, the gala offered enhanced visibility and networking opportunities for attendees.
Award winners included Allotrac for Supply Chain Innovator of the Year, Skilled Materials Handling for Best Technology Application, CEVA Logistics for Sustainability Initiative Award, Machship for Freight Transport Solution of the Year, Dr. Elsie Hooi for Contribution to Industry Award, and Silk Logistics for the MHD Sustainable Warehouse Award.