The material handling process specifically refers to the way in which materials are stored, organized, processed, moved and otherwise processed on a smaller scale, within a building or from a transport vehicle to a building and vice versa. It refers to the way in which products and materials are moved, stored and protected throughout the supply chain. Material handling can take different forms and is based on processes driven by both humans and machines. Material handling involves short distance movements within an area or building.
The process includes different equipment, such as automated, semi-automatic and manual machines. It also consists of storing and protecting materials through the process of manufacturing, storage, distribution, consumption and disposal. Material handling is much more than inventory management. It is the movement, protection, storage and control of materials and products throughout their useful life of manufacture, storage, distribution, consumption and disposal.
Material handling encompasses a range of components to keep the supply chain running. This includes a variety of types of equipment (manual, semi-automatic and automated) and systems (single-level storage, multi-level storage, conveyors, etc.) They are an excellent source of materials, as well as tips and information on a variety of storage issues. Material handling system designs include an integral structure so that material movement can be efficiently managed between production stages. Other examples of bulk material handling equipment include bucket elevators, conveyor belts and storage silos.
An effective material handling system allows your company to have the necessary stock in smaller spaces whenever possible, reduce time spent on internal operations (such as transportation and collection), control inventory in real time, reduce operating costs and optimize the overall flow of goods in your facilities. Working on the material handling process can help improve last-mile delivery and get products to customers even faster. The efficiency of your shelves is of the utmost importance when considering your material handling needs. Well-organized material management helps protect your shipments so that they arrive intact from your warehouse, store or distribution center to their destination.
When designing a material handling system, it is important to consult best practices to ensure that all equipment and processes, including manual, semi-automated and automated, equipment and processes in a facility work together as a unified system. From manufacturing to distribution, material handling is key to ensuring that your materials and goods are safely transported from one stage of the supply chain to the next. Storing raw materials can be expensive, especially if you have materials that need special care. Researchers and professionals from the Materials Management Institute created a document containing the 10 principles of material handling to create a safer and more productive material handling system.
By analyzing the objectives of the material handling process and aligning them with guidelines, such as the 10 principles of material handling, a properly designed system will improve customer service, reduce inventory, shorten delivery time, and reduce overall handling costs in manufacturing, distribution and transportation. Material handling can be used in all industries, but it is typically used in warehousing, where products must be safely stored, retrieved and shipped. The reconfiguration of the storage space, as described above, can facilitate and speed up the handling of materials. From preventing accidents in the workplace to saving money, these are four reasons why material handling is key to implementing it in your warehouse.
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