Abstract
M.Tech. (Industrial Engineering)
Material handling is never value-adding, but always increases the production costs. The objective of any new handling system should therefore be to reduce handling and then to find cost-effective solutions for those operations that cannot be eliminated. The systems approach can be used to analyse and solve material handling problems, ensuring that all alternatives are considered. This increases the likelihood of a successful project. The feasibility study should be used at the outset of a project to ensure that a shortlist of the best solutions can be made. This is done before major capital expense is incurred. Thereafter, a systematic procedure guides the project from a concept design, to a few selected option, then to the simulation of the proposed system and finally to the installation plan and construction. The systems approach is often preferred by management, because the financial and technical issues are quantified and therefore reduce the risk of a bad investment.
Ultimately, a new material handling system, if required at all, should minimise production costs and therefore be an asset instead of a liability to the company.