Interview with IFOY Expert Eduardo Banzato
“The companies that will lead the next decade will not necessarily be those with the most advanced technology”
Eduardo, after four decades in logistics and supply chain management, what developments have had the greatest impact on the industry, and what changes do you expect to see over the next ten years?
Throughout my career, I have witnessed several waves of transformation that have reshaped the logistics industry. In the 1980s, when I began working with Reinaldo Moura and Jose Maurício Banzato, the founders of IMAM, the integration of the supply chain was accelerating thanks to information technology and MRP systems. The following decade introduced lean thinking and established operational excellence as a strategic management philosophy rather than merely a collection of manufacturing tools. Since the early 2000s, supply chain management, automation, and the rapid expansion of e-commerce have fundamentally transformed intralogistics.
Looking ahead, this transformation will accelerate. Artificial intelligence will evolve from decision support to the real-time orchestration of entire processes… a reality that is already taking shape among industry leaders. Autonomous devices, mobile robots, automated warehouse systems, and digital platforms will increasingly function as an intelligent ecosystem, creating what we describe as the “augmented workforce,” in which humans and machines enhance each other’s capabilities.
The companies that will lead the next decade are not necessarily those with the most advanced technology, but those that are able to intelligently integrate people, processes, and technology into a single competitive system.
They regularly follow and share IFOY AWARD-winning solutions. In your opinion, what distinguishes a truly outstanding intralogistics innovation from a good one?
A truly exceptional or outstanding innovation solves a real customer problem while also creating measurable value. It is important to recognize that many technologies that initially struggle to achieve widespread adoption are nonetheless valuable innovations. In many cases, they pave the way for the groundbreaking solutions that ultimately redefine our industry.
Executives are increasingly defining purpose, strategy, and decision-making criteria, while intelligent systems execute, optimize, and continuously learn. Technology alone is rarely disruptive. True disruption occurs when engineering, software, artificial intelligence, and operational processes are orchestrated to solve problems that previously seemed impossible. That is why I believe that integration has become the defining characteristic of exponential innovation.
Innovation must also be scalable, economically sustainable, and capable of creating value for both the company and society. That is precisely why the IFOY has become such an important global benchmark. His evaluation goes far beyond technological sophistication by recognizing operational performance, practical applicability, and measurable customer value.
As a leading content creator in the fields of manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management, you are in close contact with experts around the world. Which trends are currently attracting the most attention in the global logistics community?
Having attended major international events such as LogiMAT, ProMat, MODEX, CeMAT Asia… and the IFOY AWARD, I have consistently observed four major trends that are shaping the future of logistics.
First, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the brain behind modern business processes and is transforming demand forecasting, inventory optimization, planning, and operational decision-making. Second, autonomous technologies—including AMRs, autonomous forklifts, and goods-to-person systems—continue to redefine productivity, flexibility, and workplace safety. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we are moving away from isolated automation toward what I call “orchestrated intralogistics.”
Finally, companies have become much more disciplined when it comes to investing in technology. At IMAM, we rarely start by discussing costs when evaluating automation projects. Instead, we ask how much value the technology will generate over the entire lifecycle of the operation. That is the essence of value engineering and value analysis.
You recently joined Anita’s personal Advisory Board. What motivated you to get involved in this initiative, and what perspective do you hope to bring to the evaluation of the finalists?
What motivated me was the opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading initiatives dedicated to recognizing innovation through technical excellence, an international perspective, and practical impact.
When I evaluate a solution, I look beyond its technological sophistication. I focus on the problem it solves, the environment in which it operates, the value it creates, and its potential to improve competitiveness. Innovation is rarely about inventing something completely new. More often than not, it’s about intelligently combining existing technologies to achieve superior results.
Looking ahead to the future of intralogistics: In your opinion, which innovation or technology has the greatest potential to transform supply chains in the coming years?
If I had to choose just one technology, my answer would undoubtedly be artificial intelligence, applied to the orchestration of integrated processes. AMRs, autonomous forklifts, automated small-part warehousing systems, IoT sensors, computer vision, digital twins, collaborative robots, and, finally, humanoid robots will generate exponentially greater value when they become part of a coordinated operational ecosystem.
As far as humanoid robots are concerned, I believe they have enormous long-term potential due to their versatility and the technological advances they drive. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in terms of costs, safety, productivity, and technological maturity.
Ultimately, I believe that the true revolution in intralogistics is not driven solely by smarter machines. It will be driven by organizations that are capable of orchestrating human intelligence, artificial intelligence, and operational excellence into a single, competitive system.