What Exactly Is Materials Handling?

Materials handling is a vague concept to the average person

. Those outside of the warehouse or industrial supplies businesses consider it to be the simple process of "moving stuff around." Those whose job it is to ensure that materials and goods handling goes smoothly and efficiently have a great deal to say about it, though, because the handling of materials is at the heart of their business.

Because they understand the dynamic interplay of all aspects of materials handling, warehouse suppliers give materials handling a very far reaching definition. Whatever tools, equipment or other goods are used in storing and handling materials of any description are included in their definition of material handling. Nothing that has to do with the efficient use of time and the safety of personnel is left out.

A pallet rack is essentially a stationary object, but to the warehouse manager and staff, it is as indispensable as the forklift, a more obvious example of a piece of materials handling equipment. With the invention of the forklift, the transport and movement of goods and materials was changed forever. This changed the way the world handled materials and it is no exaggeration to say that the forklift revolutionized the warehouse industry, but without pallet racks, it could not operate as efficiently as it does.

The engineers who design pallet racks understand this, too. They also understand that different types of warehouse needs require different types of pallet racks. The selective rack is designed to allow forklift operators to remove single pallets from the rack. Other types of pallet racks, however, are designed for stock rotation purposes. The pallet flow rack, for instance, is designed with cantilevered shelves, which automatically roll boxes or pallets into place, thereby virtually guaranteeing the smooth rotation of stock.

Between the beginning and ending stages of warehousing goods, in which the forklift and pallet rack are the essential elements of the handling of materials, there are innumerable other material handling operations that have to be considered.

The tape dispenser, while small and seemingly trivial, is, in its way, as much a part of the process of handling materials as is the forklift. In order to pack goods into boxes efficiently, a good tape dispenser is a necessity. It must operate smoothly and quickly and at the same time ensure the safety of the handler, minimizing or eliminating the risk of even slight injury. Safety and efficiency are two things that are essential components of every piece of materials handling equipment, no matter how large or small.

When it comes to heavy duty equipment, the efficiency and safety demands are exponentially greater. A compact forklift, designed to be easily and efficiently maneuvered in tight spaces, must also be ergonomically designed for the driver's comfort and safety. Vertical personnel lifts must be designed in such a way that it is virtually impossible for the operator to have an accident and yet allow him maximum freedom of movement.

Warehouse suppliers take their job very seriously. They have to see materials handling both from the wide view and almost microscopically. Safety and efficiency are uppermost in their minds with all of their supplies, from rubber gloves to heavy equipment.

by: Justin Nielsen

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