Material handling equipment (MHE) is essential for any warehouse operation. It helps you move, store, and control your inventory efficiently and safely. But how do you choose the right MHE for your warehouse? Here are some tips to help you plan, evaluate, and select the best MHE for your needs.
Before you buy any MHE, you need to know your warehouse space and design. How big is your warehouse? How high are your ceilings? How wide are your aisles? What kind of flooring do you have? How is your lighting and ventilation? These factors will affect the type, size, and capacity of MHE you can use. For example, if you have narrow aisles, you might need a narrow-aisle forklift or a reach truck. If you have high ceilings, you might need a scissor lift or a vertical lift module. If you have uneven or rough flooring, you might need a pallet jack or a skid steer loader.
Get your layout in CAD of Solid Works with some type of simulation software - model your material flow and "observe" - check against your assumptions on material flow rates. Do you have a "lean" streamlined flow with work cells and minimal travel distances - start there and then work through challenges and bottlenecks. As you consume space - you can disrupt lighting, ventilation and normal access - OHSA! Power availability is another consideration - you have columns, footers, HVAC ductwork and power supply - that's all critical to any future layout changes
Next, you need to know your inventory and how you handle it. What kind of products do you store and ship? How heavy, fragile, or bulky are they? How often do you move them? How do you pack and label them? These factors will affect the MHE features and functions you need. For example, if you store and ship liquids, you might need a drum handler or a spill containment pallet. If you move heavy or large items, you might need a conveyor belt or a crane. If you pack and label your items manually, you might need a cart or a workstation.
When setting up a warehouse, selecting the right material handling equipment (MHE) is crucial, particularly in pharmaceuticals adhering to Good Distribution Practice (GDP). For instance, temperature-sensitive vaccines may require refrigerated storage units with temperature monitoring, while hazardous materials necessitate specialized containment units. Fragile pharmaceuticals benefit from MHE with gentle handling features like padded forks, and security measures such as RFID tagging are vital for high-value substances. By aligning MHE with product characteristics and handling needs, warehouses optimize efficiency and comply with regulatory standards.
Once you have a clear understanding of your warehouse layout and inventory characteristics, you can start comparing different MHE options. There are many types to consider, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, cranes, lifts, carts, and more – each with their own advantages and disadvantages depending on your warehouse needs. When comparing MHE options, it's important to consider factors such as cost (buy, operate, maintain), performance (speed, accuracy, reliability), safety (risks/hazards), and flexibility (modifiability/upgradeability). Additionally, you should assess the return on investment and total cost of ownership as well as the MHE's compatibility with other systems and its ability to accommodate future changes or growth.
Finally, before you make a final decision, you should test and evaluate the MHE you are interested in. You can do this by visiting the MHE supplier or manufacturer, or by requesting a demo or a trial in your warehouse. Testing and evaluating MHE will help you verify its quality, functionality, and suitability for your warehouse. You should also ask for references, reviews, and warranties from the MHE supplier or manufacturer. You want to make sure that the MHE you buy is reliable, durable, and supported by good service and maintenance.
Choosing the right MHE for your warehouse is not an easy task. It requires careful planning, research, and evaluation. But by following these tips, you can ensure that you get the best MHE for your warehouse needs and goals.
Pros and Cons of Testing and Evaluating MHE Before Buying Pros: 1. Verifies the quality of the MHE 2. Helps evaluate functionality and suitability for your warehouse 3. Allows for firsthand testing of the MHE 4. Provides an opportunity to ask for references and reviews 5. Can provide peace of mind by ensuring that the MHE is reliable and durable 6. May lead to discovering any potential issues before making a purchase Cons: 1. May require an investment of time and resources to visit the supplier or manufacturer 2. May not be feasible for all MHE options 3. May not be possible to fully test the MHE in your warehouse environment before purchasing 4. May not be able to get a trial or demo from some MHE suppliers or manufacturers
Two of the often "forgotten" / "dismissed" aspect of the right MHE (Material Handling Equipments) selection are: (1) Warranty length & coverage, and (2) Swift Response of Follow-Ups from the MHE After-Sales support team. - Those 2 are always the emphasized values of my Valued-Client: PT Multi Equipment Indonesia (MEI) that i see their strong bases for anyone who purchases MHE from them.
Consolidating some comments across all the article Q&A! Normally the 1st indication of space and handling needs - your employees complain about congestion or your inventory is not quite accurate! You long term strategic plan which includes capacity should always account for "space" - receiving to shipment. It's a deep dive on the DOS coverage, inventory turns, replenishment lead times, etc. all the math to make sure you understand how much you need at any time. It's all about cubic feet - take advantage of vertical space and flexible and movable space if possible. Automate where you can and the ROI makes sense but doesn't restrict the future footprint. Move "stuff" off site if needed - sometimes it's cheaper than the CAPEX!