Material Handling Equipment (MHE) is a vast category of tools, vehicles, appliances, and devices that are integral in various industries including manufacturing, construction, warehousing, and many more. This powerful machinery moves, stores, controls, and protects goods within a warehouse or manufacturing environment. The importance of MHE cannot be overstated as it is instrumental in streamlining operations by ensuring the safe handling of materials and products from one location to another. This equipment enhances productivity, improves efficiency, and reduces workplace accidents.
Material handling equipment can be classified into four main types: storage and handling equipment, engineered systems, industrial trucks, and bulk material handling equipment. Each type has a unique purpose, but all aim to facilitate the movement or storage of materials within an industrial setting.
Storage and Handling Equipment
Efficient warehouse operations rely heavily on storage and handling equipment to provide organized storage solutions that optimize space utilization while allowing easy access to items when needed. This category includes various equipment such as racking systems like pallet racks that offer high-density storage solutions, shelving units for storing smaller items, mezzanines that provide additional floor space by utilizing vertical space, and conveyors for rapid transportation between different areas within the facility. The importance of these pieces of equipment in industries such as e-commerce, where speed and accuracy are paramount, cannot be overstated. They play a part in enhancing productivity, minimizing errors, and ultimately improving customer satisfaction.
Engineered Systems
Engineered systems are highly sophisticated automated units that streamline warehouse or distribution center processes. They include conveyor systems that move goods from one location to another, sortation systems that separate items based on predetermined criteria such as size or weight, and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) that precisely retrieve stored items when needed using computer-controlled systems. Engineered systems are used to manage high volumes of products in sectors like retail and e-commerce. By doing so, they ensure timely delivery while reducing labor costs.
Industrial Trucks
Industrial trucks are vehicles used for transporting materials within an industrial setting. They come in many varieties, from hand-operated trucks to advanced forklifts. Industrial trucks enhance efficiency and safety in industries like construction, where they facilitate the transportation of heavy materials and reduce the risk of injuries. They are also highly versatile and can be customized to meet different needs of industries and jobsites.
Bulk Material Handling Equipment
Bulk material handling equipment is designed to handle large quantities of materials in various industries such as agriculture and mining. Examples include conveyor belts, hoppers, and silos. This equipment streamlines the movement and storage of materials, boosting productivity and maintaining safety standards.
Importance of MHE Certification
MHE (Material Handling Equipment) certification is a process that verifies whether an operator has received the necessary training and possesses the required skills to operate Material Handling Equipment safely and efficiently. This certification has a role in reducing workplace accidents and increasing productivity. Certified operators understand the importance of safety and know how best to use the equipment to its full potential, contributing to operational efficiency and cost savings. This certification is highly recommended for those seeking careers, as it increases an operator's credibility and employability.
The diverse landscape of material handling equipment underscores its indispensable role in boosting productivity, safety, and overall efficiency within various industrial environments. The four distinctive types—encompassing storage and handling equipment, engineered systems, industrial trucks, and bulk material handling equipment—collectively form the backbone of streamlined operational processes. Recognizing the unique contributions of each type reinforces the importance of their collective synergy in achieving seamless workflow. Furthermore, MHE certification becomes imperative, as it empowers operators with the requisite skills and knowledge to navigate these machines securely and adeptly, thereby unlocking their full potential in contributing to organizational success.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions. Portions of this article were generated in part by ChatGPT, and edited by a member of the Zoro team.