OTSCHOLDELA

Widespread Misconceptions About Material Handling

Material handling has been gradually gaining more of a competitive edge in many businesses, improving safety, and even increasing the overall operational cost-savings by streamlining the material handling solutions. This has been a challenge, especially for the logistics managers for many years. Now, businesses are ever on this never-ending search to get the best storage and material handling solutions when it comes to material handling equipment and most of the businesses turn to the equipment suppliers for guidance and tips for purchasing the right material handling equipment for their businesses.

And this is where things can begin to get a little murky as each of the manufacturers will only be looking to make their equipment seem like the best fit for your business just to make an exchange with you.

It can be quite a tiresome and cumbersome business trying to determine the best material; handling solutions for your facility. The type of material handling equipment you purchase need to be dependent on many different factors and oftentimes, you will find that the suppliers only make inadequate recommendations and if not so, then they put more focus on one or more of their own specific products in place of what should be best for your business based on your preferences and needs. You need to look for the material handling solutions which will serve you on a long-term basis as well. Here are some few tippers on some of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding material handling solutions. Be mindful of these myths lest you fall into the same trap you are so intent of trying to avoid.

  1. Selective pallet rack is the “best and safest” approach

First things first, you must ensure that you never lose sight of the material handling equipment you are looking for and place all focus on how the equipment you aim to purchase will help you and your business. Your inventory is bound to change from time to time, but still, you need to ensure that you follow the 80/20 rule and cover the products which will be more suitable for your high-density storage. The selective pallet racks are best suited for the low-quality items instead and may not even optimally for the mid-level inventory either. This is not the way you want to go if you have high volume products that you need to be constantly moved and handled in your warehouse. You can, instead, go for the high-density products like the drive-in, gravity flow racks or push-back.

  1. The “cheapest” racking equipment is the best

It is never a bad idea to want to be financially prudent when it comes to business, but sometimes, this idea can end up costing you more money than you initially intended. You need to weigh down on the most flexible and advantageous material handling solutions and go for those. Don’t base your choice entirely on cost as other factors may seem to need more attention here than that.

  1. Newer is “better”

It’s no doubt that technology has advanced so much to the point that businesses and labor have become more efficient, effective and saves a lot of time, especially where technology is involved. But sometimes these new systems may fail to meet your expectations. Maybe they aren’t scalable or have no backups for your plans or even have throughput limitations. Look for what best suits your business, not the newest tech available.