Looking ahead to 2026, I see a market that, while not yet experiencing dynamic growth, is noticeably stabilizing and picking up. Particularly in the DACH region, but also beyond, we at Inther are seeing companies adopting a more strategic approach. Investment decisions are being prepared more carefully, projects are being developed in more detail, and discussions are being conducted in a much more focused manner. This creates a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the coming years.

Especially in the international arena, we are observing that decision-making cycles are shortening and the focus is shifting more towards future-proof, scalable solutions. Customers are less interested in short-term gains and more interested in systems that are sustainable in the long term and can grow with their business.

With the introduction of our new Hexxabotics AS/RS system, we are opening a new chapter in this regard. I see great potential here for a wide variety of applications – especially where flexibility, modularity, and rapid adaptability are crucial. Hexxabotics addresses precisely these requirements and opens up new possibilities for automated intralogistics solutions that can be further developed both economically and technologically. At LogiMAT in Stuttgart, we will demonstrate for the first time how this system creates added value in practice.

One topic that shapes almost every customer conversation is, and will continue to be, the persistent shortage of skilled workers. This will hardly change in 2026 either. For me, one thing is clear: automation is no longer an optional trend, but a fundamental prerequisite for remaining efficient, resilient, and competitive in the long term. Companies that invest in intelligent automation today are not only securing efficiency, but also stability in an increasingly volatile labor market.

I am also following developments surrounding humanoid robots with particular interest. I expect this topic to gain significant momentum from the end of 2026 onward, as soon as the first systems become more widely available and move beyond pilot projects. Should the consumer market develop in parallel, this will also accelerate industrial acceptance. This opens up exciting perspectives for intralogistics, especially in areas that are currently still largely manual, ergonomically demanding, or labor-intensive.

Overall, I don't see 2026 as a year of rapid breakthroughs, but rather as a year in which crucial decisions will be made. Technological foundations, new system approaches, and strategic investments will define the framework for the next phase of intralogistics – both in the DACH region and internationally.

Feel free to contact me to discuss this further!