The concept of material handling involves the movement, storage, control and protection of products and materials throughout the manufacturing process. This process includes the distribution of material, its consumption—and if applicable, its disposal.
Throughout this process, there’s a wide range of solutions and systems used – manual, semi-automated and automated. All of these methods require the use of material handling equipment to help support logistical matters.
There are many compelling reasons why companies become more effective if they use material handling equipment as opposed to manual handling. These include:
- Improved customer service
- A reduction in inventory
- More efficient delivery times
- A reduction in handling costs
- Cheaper transportation costs
What is Material Handling Equipment Typically Used for?
There are a number of processes that involve material handling equipment and associated technologies. These processes all aid in the movement and storage of material throughout the manufacturing cycle. Any material handling system will aid the process, but maximum efficiency is achieved when the material handling process is properly designed. Only with a proper end-to-end plan in place can you make sure that the equipment you are using is perfect for your requirements.
When you are designing your company’s material-handling system, the most important thing you can decide to do is refer to best practices. This will ensure that all your processes and the equipment you are using work together smoothly, and as one continuous unit. It is no good having a fractured process that’s been bolted together in the hope that it will work – such systems seldom do and if they do it’s more by luck than judgment.
The best way to accomplish this is by analyzing what it is you are trying to achieve. If you are successful, then you will achieve all that is outlined above.
- Plan – Work out what it is exactly that you need, and what you are attempting to achieve in terms of improved performance. Don’t just do this via a speculative approach – you need to hear the voices of the people who will actually be involved in the process. You could also ask for input from your suppliers and end users. Analyze systems that are already in place and that have proven to be a success.
- Standardize – All items that you use should meet minimum standards, and none of them should require anything custom. You should be able to find a solution to any material handling issue you may have, and via a standardized process or standardized equipment. Anything custom will not be fully utilized. It will be more expensive and will cost more to repair and maintain. Standardized equipment is often functional enough to work in multiple areas and to aid in a number of different tasks.
- Practicality – There’s no reason for any aspect of your process or piece of material handling equipment to complicate the process. If that happens, then your plan is at fault and needs to be reconsidered. The idea of your system is to shorten processing times, or to eliminate transportation that is unnecessary, too time-consuming, or too labor-intensive. It’s most effective to eliminate manual handling as much as possible (or to give aid by, say, using gravity as effectively as you can), and to make sure your logistical processes move in straight lines.
- Working space design – Unless your material handling processes are fully automated, manual labor is going to be involved somewhere. The way that your employees work should be developed in tandem with the design of your material handling process, including the reduction in manual labor as much as possible, and the safety and well-being of your workforce.
- Unit loading equipment – It is always more efficient and most effective to move single loads. The more you can load at one point of the logistical process, the better. The alternative is to take smaller single loads, or to split a larger load in several smaller ones. This is of course, extremely inefficient and affects loading times while also increasing the burden on your employees. Material handling equipment that can handle large pallets and containers are something you really need to consider.
- Use of space – To increase efficiency and to keep costs down, you need to maximize the use of the space you have available. Keep your working areas organized, clean, and tidy. Make sure your workforce knows that it’s their responsibility to keep their working areas in an organized state.
Think vertically as well as horizontally. Unit space is not just about floor space – it’s about all the space that you have available. Install shelving if you don’t already have it, and arm yourself with material handling equipment that is able to lift loads to heights. The more you can store, the less trips to acquire the items you will have to make.
- Automation – Automation is always a good idea. Automated material handling equipment often negates the need for a high number of employees, and will help you to cut costs. Such equipment may break down occasionally and maintenance can be a slight burden, but automated systems are more reliable and predictable than human labor – they don’t take days off, or suffer from fatigue!
- Cost of the life cycle – There’s more to material handling equipment than just the initial cost – there’s the installation and setup cost, training, resource use, maintenance, re-use value and eventual disposal to factor in as well. Don’t forget ALL cost-related aspects of a material handling equipment system when you’re calculating the full impact on your finances.
There are several compelling reasons why you need material handling equipment, but perhaps the most compelling of all is to increase your company’s efficiency. That way you are guaranteed to cut costs and maximize your potential to increase your profitability.
Contact Douglas Equipment
If you want to learn more about maximizing the use of material handling equipment, contact Douglas Equipment. Call us at 800-451-0030, or 305-888-3700 if you’re in the Miami area. You can also contact us using our online contact form.
