Analysis For Materials Handling Management

The contents of this book are based on invited papers submittedfor presentation and discussion at the 1990 Material Handling Research Colloquium held in Hebron, Kentucky, June 19-21,1990. The Colloquium was sponsored and organized by the College Industry Councilfor Material Handling Education (CIC-MHE) with addi tional co-sponsorship and funding provided by numerous organizations (see ac knowledgements). The purpose of the Colloquium was to foster open discussion about the current state of material handling research at universitiesfrom across the United States and Canada. It was an opportunity to share specific research directions and accomplishments. But more importantly, it was an opportunity to discuss the implications of the basic constraints to solving industry relevant problems in the field of material handling and closely related activities; the efficacy of the approaches being taken at the present time; and the directions believed to be of most value to the industry and to advancing the knowledge and science base of the material handling engineering discipline. The sponsoring organization, the College Industry Council for Material Handling Education was founded in 1952. The council is composed of college and university educators, material handling equipment manufacturers, distributors, users and consultants, representatives of the business press plus professional staff and members of other organizations concerned with material handling education.

For decades the materials sector of an enterprise has been relatively un important, compared with the production and sales side, but it has gained in importance during the last 25-30 years. This is clearly indicated by the increas ing attachment of this sector to the commercial side of an enterprise, the delegation of materials-oriented tasks to highly qualified people, and -closely correlated -the integration of the materials sector with the key positions of a company's organizational hierarchy. The materials management area has become an interesting part of business life. Stimulating this development was the realization that an important part of company rationalization had been overlooked, namely, provision of ade quate supervision of the materials flow. This area was given particular atten tion, firstly, because the relatively high percentage of materials l:osts (the value of materials and cost of supervision) in the total production costs off ered the possibility of considerable cost reductions and liquidity improvem ents; and secondly, because effective supervision permits faster reactions to changes and reliable delivery times -essential considerations for a compe titive company. An important contribution to the realization of these possi bilities is found in an efficient organizational structure in combination with an integrated information system. Together, they provide coordinated super vision of the various control functions associated with the materials flow and a concentration of expertise.

This book reviews materials handling and industrial logistics from the top down. It translates the management objectives, the strategy and policy level into the application of tools (equipment and systems) required to implement the programs which are necessary to the success of the business. It ties these elements together, defining the relationships between management strategy and engineering solutions, examining decision criteria, and exploring the choices of systems and equipment available to implement plans and policies. In order to achieve higher industrial productivity, commercial performance and efficient distribution, it is essential to view the industrial economic system as an integrated whole. [p] This book provides a combination of technical and management guidance relating to the application and use of materials handling hardware, materials handling systems, and materials management principles. (equipment and systems) required to implement the programs which are necessary to the success of the business.