How American Industry is Attacking the Problem of Materials Handling

Abstract

Materials handling is one of the fundamental activities of mankind, and the common denominator of all industry, yet it has been relatively neglected by engineers and managers generally. In the United States realization is growing that materials handling accounts for the largest single activity cost in much of manufacturing and distribution. Although many individuals are fully conscious of this, companies differ widely in this recognition and in the way they are trying to improve their materials handling activities.

The aims of this lecture are to clarify the major objectives of a materials handling programme; to show how progressive companies are organizing for materials handling; to describe the scope of the good materials handling programme; the type of individuals to be placed in charge; the authority and responsibilities to be delegated to them, and the ways in which these activities co-ordinate with, and contribute to, other aspects of the plant.

Techniques of analysing materials handling problems and the characteristics of basic materials handling devices are presented briefly.

Some fifteen significant trends in American materials handling practice will be discussed and briefly illustrated by case examples.