Key Themes & Industry Trends We Heard
Food Waste Numbers That Matter
One-third of all food produced globally goes to waste. In the US, that's $300-400 billion wasted every year.
Companies like Divert are leading the charge against food waste. As Melissa Peery, Business Development Director, explains, they prevent edible food from ending up in landfills by redirecting it to donations. What can’t be donated is converted into renewable energy and fertilizer—turning waste into value. It's a practical approach to a problem that affects the entire supply chain.
AI Applications are Gaining Traction
We learned how companies are using AI to drive efficiencies throughout their organizations. Some of the applications include order management, invoicing, and payables processes. These aren't pilot programs anymore. Companies are implementing these tools and seeing efficiency improvements in their daily operations.
The focus has shifted from testing AI to deploying it where it makes financial sense.
Industry Collaboration is Strong
The tone felt different than many of the trade shows we’ve attended historically. Companies were more focused on solving problems together rather than just pitching their services. You could see it in the conversations and presentations with more substance, less sales.
Construction Economics Remain Industry Headwinds
The economics keynote covered warehouse construction trends, and the continued challenges facing the industry at large. The numbers are clear: higher inflation and interest rates have driven construction spending down 7.3% as of July 2025. Peak construction was around 2022, and it's been declining since.
New greenfield projects are mostly on hold. Companies are turning their attention to optimizing existing facilities instead.
Here's What We're Seeing
Three things stand out:
Existing facilities matter more now. With limited new construction, you need to maximize what you have. Automation that increases throughput and optimizes space delivers immediate value.
Investment timelines are longer. Companies are planning multi-year improvements rather than quick fixes. This allows for phased automation approaches that align with budget cycles.
Integration beats point solutions. The collaborative approach we saw at the event extends to vendor relationships. Companies want partners who can connect systems rather than add more silos.
What We Took Away
Companies are getting practical about operational efficiency. They're working with existing assets, planning longer-term investments, and focusing on solutions that deliver measurable results.
Whether you're dealing with food waste, optimizing current facilities, or planning automation investments, the focus should be on approaches that work with your existing operations while building for future growth.
The conversations at GCCA reinforced what we're seeing with our customers: companies want solutions that integrate with what they have and deliver results they can measure.
