Material Handling vs. Material Movement Equipment: Which is Right for Your Facility?
Having the right equipment in your warehouse, distribution center, or fulfillment center can make a big difference in efficiency and safety. With the right material handling equipment and material movement equipment, you can create a seamless workflow to improve your throughput.
Material Handling vs. Material Movement Equipment
Think of material handling equipment as the broad category that includes all of the mechanical things you need to store, control, and move materials. This includes:
- Racking systems
- Shelving
- Mezzanines
- Pallets and containers
It also includes engineering systems such as:
- Conveyors
- Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS)
- Robotic systems
- Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
A subcategory of material handling, material movement equipment focuses on the transfer or transportation of materials. Examples include powered vehicles such as:
- Forklifts
- Pallet jacks
- Tow tractors
- Order pickers
It also includes non-powered equipment such as:
- Hand trucks
- Dollies
- Manual pallet jacks
- Picking carts
How to Choose the Right Material Handling Equipment
Here are some expert tips on choosing the right equipment for your warehouse.
Analyze Your Operation
Before investing in any material handling equipment, take a comprehensive look at your current operations. Understanding your daily throughput volumes provides crucial insight into the capacity requirements for your equipment.
Map out your existing workflow to identify where materials move most frequently and where bottlenecks occur. Consider not just your current needs but also projected growth and seasonal fluctuations. A thorough analysis of your operation will help prevent under-sizing or oversizing your equipment investments.
If you need help with your warehouse planning or engineering design, the pros at Conesco Storage Systems can help.
Consider Your Material Characteristics
The nature of your materials will significantly impact which equipment solutions are most appropriate. Heavy or oversized items may require specialized lifting equipment, while delicate products could need gentler handling systems.
Consider the weight and dimensions, but also how your products are packaged and unitized. Temperature-sensitive items may require climate-controlled handling solutions, while hazardous materials could need specialized safety equipment. Understanding these characteristics helps ensure your chosen equipment can safely and efficiently handle your specific products.
Evaluate Facility Constraints
Your building’s physical characteristics often set hard limits on equipment options. Low ceiling heights might rule out certain storage solutions while narrow aisles could limit forklift choices.
Pay special attention to your floor load capacity, as heavy equipment or high-density storage systems might require reinforced flooring.
Door sizes and dock configurations can also impact equipment mobility, while power availability might affect your ability to implement certain automated systems.
Account for Labor Considerations
Your workforce capabilities and operational schedule play a vital role in equipment selection. For example, complex automated systems might require specialized training or dedicated maintenance staff.
Consider the ergonomic impact of different equipment options on your workers, particularly in high-frequency handling areas. Equipment should enhance worker productivity while reducing physical strain.
Factor in your shift patterns and peak periods to ensure your chosen material movement equipment can handle maximum demand without creating bottlenecks.
Factor in Long-term Planning
You should give some thought to the future. The equipment you choose should align with your company’s growth plans. So, consider how your material handling equipment and material movement equipment will scale with increased volume or changes in your product mix. While budget constraints are important, focusing solely on initial costs might lead to expensive replacements or modifications later.
Consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, training, and potential upgrade paths.
Choose the Right Material Handling Equipment Provider
Selecting the right equipment provider is just as important as the equipment you choose. A reliable provider will be your long-term partner, offering expertise beyond just equipment sales. Look for a provider with extensive industry experience and a proven track record of supporting businesses similar to yours.
Consider:
- Industry experience and track records
- Service and support capabilities
- Equipment selection and customization options
- Safety and compliance with industry standards
You want to work with a company that offers additional services such as warehouse planning, engineering and permitting, and specialized labor for installation, teardowns, or moves.
Conesco Storage Systems is a leading provider of material handling equipment. Over more than 35 years, Conesco’s team of nationwide experts has acquired the knowledge and experience to design, source, permit, and install the perfect storage systems for your business. We have a wide variety of new and used pallet racking, pick modules, mezzanines, conveyors, and specialty material movement equipment.
We can help you optimize your storage space to increase efficiency and find the best-fit equipment for today’s needs and into the future. From initial consultation to the final steps, Conesco Storage Systems will work closely with you to understand your needs and provide solutions.
Contact Conesco Storage Systems at (303) 690-9591 to discuss your material handling needs.
