If you work in medical device manufacturing, lab operations, or advanced manufacturing, MD&M South 2026 is likely already on your radar. It’s one of the few regional events where you can walk the entire product lifecycle in one building. You’ll see everything featured from design and prototyping to automation, packaging, and production.
This guide will help you:
Decide whether MD&M South is worth the trip
Plan a focused visit aligned to your 2026 priorities
Get more value from a single day on the show floor
Know exactly why it’s worth stopping by the Kardex booth
We aren't just listing exhibitors, we are connecting the dots between what you’ll see on the floor and the real-world constraints you’re managing in cleanrooms, labs, and regulated production environments.
Event: MD&M South 2026
Dates: April 22–23, 2026
Location: Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Expo Hours:
Wednesday, April 22: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Kardex Booth: #2719 (10 x 10 space)
Kardex Team On Site: Ben McKnight, Erik Nilsson
Co-located event: MD&M South is co-located with The Battery Show South (expo pass access noted by the organizer).
Learn more on the event website here.
MD&M South is a regional hub for advanced manufacturing and medical device industries. Over two days, attendees come to evaluate technologies and services spanning the full journey from prototype to production.
You’ll get the most value from this event if you are:
A medical device manufacturer scaling production without sacrificing quality or compliance
A manufacturing or operations leader working in a regulated or cleanroom environment
A process/industrial/manufacturing engineer improving throughput, traceability, or space utilization
A quality, regulatory, or supply chain professional supporting growth while controlling risk
A packaging/labeling/test engineer responsible for the last mile before release
Beyond exhibits, MD&M South offers educational content focused on real processes, not just shiny equipment.
Medical device and life science manufacturers are under pressure on multiple fronts:
Faster NPIs
Stricter regulatory and documentation expectations
Expensive controlled space (often maxed out)
Skilled labor constraints
At the same time, there’s growing recognition that inventory control, space optimization, and traceability aren’t “back-room” concerns anymore. They directly influence speed to market, audit readiness, and margin protection.
That shift is visible in how manufacturers are rethinking storage and material flow.
For example: Intech Athens replaced traditional racking and tool cabinets with Kardex Shuttle Vertical Lift Modules integrated into ZOLLER TMS, centralizing control over 10,000+ part numbers and improving visibility, space usage, and responsiveness for new products.
MD&M South is where these conversations become practical. You can:
See cleanroom-ready automation, robotics, and storage systems in action
Talk directly with vendors about FDA, cGMP, and quality system expectations
Compare approaches to small-parts, tooling, and component storage
Identify ways to add data, access control, and standardization to material flow
If 2026 is a year where you need to do more with the same footprint and staff, MD&M South is an efficient way to scan what’s available and start shaping a roadmap.
A little planning goes a long way. Before you step into the Charlotte Convention Center, take an hour to define what success looks like.
Examples:
“We are out of cleanroom space, but can’t build new.”
“We have no single source of truth for tooling and components.”
“We need traceability and lot control without slowing operators down.”
Use those priorities as your filter for which exhibitors to visit and which sessions to attend.
MD&M South spans multiple manufacturing priorities. A simple way to focus:
MedTech: regulatory realities, device production challenges
Automation: robotics, ASRS, inspection, integration
Design & Manufacturing: prototyping, machining, molding, contract partners
Packaging: sterile packaging, labeling, UDI, late-stage customization
Plastics: materials, components, molding solutions
Powder & Bulk Solids: relevant if you handle powders or granulates
If you only have one day: prioritize MedTech + Automation, with targeted stops in Packaging and Design & Manufacturing based on your projects.
Start with:
Technologies you’ll likely need in the next 12–24 months
Problems you must solve this year (tool control, kitting, cleanroom-adjacent storage, traceability)
Vendors you’re already evaluating and want to meet face-to-face
Interested in automated warehouse technology? Here are some of the top must-see vendors to visit in 2026.
Automation NTH helps manufacturers advance from manual processes to semi-automated and fully automated production. Attendees who want to improve throughput, reduce repetitive handling, or standardize work will benefit from seeing how automation can be applied at the work-cell level and scaled into integrated lines. Stop by to discuss practical pathways to automation, typical ROI drivers, and what it takes to move from prototype concepts to reliable production equipment.
AGR builds medical device assembly automation, supporting companies that need repeatability, quality, and scalable output. Attendees can learn how automated assembly approaches reduce variability, improve process control, and support regulated manufacturing needs. This is a strong stop for teams planning new lines or upgrading existing processes, especially when precision and documentation matter. Expect a practical discussion about line architecture, validation considerations, and production-ready implementation.
Rechner specializes in industrial sensing solutions, including capacitive sensor technology used in automation and monitoring applications. Attendees working on equipment reliability, error-proofing, or process detection will gain insight into sensor selection, placement, and performance in real factory conditions. Visit to compare sensing options for challenging materials and environments and to understand how smarter detection can reduce downtime and improve consistency across automated processes.
Air Purification, Inc. provides industrial air filtration and dust and fume collection solutions that support cleaner, safer operations. Attendees can explore ways to improve air quality, protect workers, and reduce contamination risks near manufacturing and packaging areas. This is a valuable stop for teams dealing with particulates, odors, fumes, or fine dust, and for anyone tightening environmental controls to support quality and compliance.
Altech supplies industrial controls and automation components that support dependable factory systems. Attendees focused on standardizing control panels, improving machine uptime, or expanding automation will find practical solutions for instrumentation and control infrastructure. Stop by to discuss component selection, safety and reliability considerations, and how to build scalable electrical and control architectures that simplify maintenance and future expansions.
IPE manufactures custom extrusions of porous ePTFE and thermoplastics for demanding applications. Attendees in medtech and high-spec manufacturing can evaluate options for tubing and profiles where material performance and consistency are critical. This is a strong stop for teams managing high-mix designs or tight tolerances, and for those looking to reduce supplier risk by aligning on manufacturability, lead times, and quality expectations early in development.
CGR International produces engineered components and assemblies to support manufacturing programs that require repeatable performance and dependable supply. Attendees can explore options for sourcing and designing components that meet demanding mechanical requirements while supporting efficient production. Visit to discuss design-for-manufacture considerations, quality expectations, and ways to simplify assembly and reduce variability through stronger component engineering and sourcing alignment.
Stop by the Kardex booth for:
Bring rough dimensions, ceiling height, and a sense of how many SKUs you manage. Ben and Erik can walk through realistic VLM-based options and typical ROI models.
9:30–10:30 Walk the MedTech area to get oriented. Note solutions tied to your top three priorities.
10:30–11:15 Stop by Kardex Booth #2719 to discuss small parts/tooling storage, cleanroom support, and inventory management.
11:15–12:00 Visit 1–2 automation booths for robotics, conveyors, or inspection that might pair with ASRS.
1:00–2:00 Attend a targeted session on automation, digitalization, or quality systems.
2:00–3:00 Return to priority exhibitors for deeper conversations and capture follow-ups.
Morning: Focus on exhibits in MedTech, Automation, and Design & Manufacturing
Midday: Deeper solution discussions (Kardex + your shortlist)
Afternoon: 1–2 targeted sessions + a second pass through priority aisles
End-of-day: Schedule two short follow-up meetings for the next week (while details are fresh)
If it’s your first time in the area, you may be wondering where to stay, where to grab the best cup of coffee, where you can pop in to grab a cocktail for networking, and where the best bites are. Don’t fear, we’ve got you covered.
Charlotte’s convention district is compact and walkable, with hotels and dining clustered around the convention center.
Coco and the Director (100 W Trade St) — coffee + bakery vibe that works well for casual meetups.
If your goal is real relationship-building, choose places that support quieter pacing:
Late April in Charlotte is typically mild, with warm afternoons and cooler mornings. One climate summary puts typical April daytime highs around 23°C / 73°F and nights around 10°C / 50°F, with moderate rainfall.
Pack: layers + comfortable shoes + a light rain layer.
Rideshare/taxi: simplest door-to-door option, especially with luggage or demo materials.
CATS Sprinter (Route 5 Airport): a public transit option connecting Uptown and CLT; CATS describes it as a convenient service with frequent trips.
Once you’re checked in near the convention center, you’re in a walkable district where most needs are close by.
The show is the starting point. The value comes from what you do in the weeks that follow.
After MD&M South:
Sort opportunities into: Immediate (this year) / Next 12–24 months / Nice to watch
For storage, material flow, or traceability projects, share:
Rough floorplans or photos of your current storage areas
SKU counts and basic item profiles
Special requirements (cleanroom classification, ESD, security)
Schedule deeper conversations or site visits with the vendors that made your short list.
Ready to keep the conversation going after MD&M South? Connect with the Kardex team for a follow-up consultation or site visit and explore how ASRS can support your medical device or life science operations.
Come visit us at Kardex Booth #2719
Kardex helps manufacturers store and retrieve parts efficiently with automated systems designed to increase storage density, improve pick accuracy, and support faster order fulfillment. Two core solutions you will see referenced across industrial and regulated environments are the Vertical Lift Module and the Vertical Carousel Module.
Kardex Remstar is a global leader in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), with more than 140,000 machines installed worldwide. At MD&M South, we are focused on one thing for medical and device manufacturers: helping you store, track, and pick critical components with more control and less space.
A Vertical Lift Module (VLM) is an enclosed, automated storage system that uses your facility’s height instead of floor space. Trays of inventory are stored vertically inside the unit and automatically delivered to an operator at an ergonomic height. Instead of walking aisles and searching shelves, your team requests a part, and the VLM brings it directly to them in seconds.
For medical and life science environments, that means:
If you are running out of space, struggling with small parts, or planning your next clean, controlled production area, a VLM is an easy, modular first step into automation that fits the way you work today.
Learn More by visiting our Vertical Lift Module (VLM) page.