The time spent storing and organizing products directly impacts the bottom line in any industrial, warehouse, or commercial setting. Yet, many businesses overlook the single most critical factor in this process: Material Handling Equipment (MHE).
Using the wrong equipment can slow production, increase worker strain, and even damage valuable inventory. At Yankee Supply, we understand that MHE isn't just an expense—it’s an investment in safety and speed.
If you’re wondering what you should consider when choosing material handling equipment, this guide will help you select the precise tools your operation needs to maximize throughput and minimize waste.
Why Getting the Selection Right Matters
Material handling accounts for a significant portion of labor costs. When you choose the right equipment, you instantly realize three key benefits:
- Increased Efficiency: The correct equipment (e.g., a high-capacity platform cart instead of multiple trips with a small hand truck) drastically reduces the time needed for transport tasks.
- Enhanced Safety: Ergonomically designed MHE reduces the risk of back injuries, strains, and repetitive stress injuries associated with manual lifting and pulling.
- Lower Operational Costs: Faster processing times mean higher productivity per employee hour. Furthermore, equipment designed for stability minimizes product damage during movement.
The Four Essential Questions Before You Buy
Before investing in a new piece of MHE, ask yourself these crucial questions about your specific operation:
1. What is the Load Profile?
- Weight Capacity: What is the maximum weight the equipment will need to handle? Never purchase equipment that just meets your minimum requirement; always factor in a safety margin.
- Dimensions and Shape: Are you moving standard boxes, long pipes, large furniture, or small parts? This determines the necessary deck size, rails, or specific attachments (like straps or specialized forks).
2. What is the Operating Environment?
- Flooring: Do you have concrete, asphalt, carpet, or grated flooring? This dictates the required wheel material (e.g., solid rubber for rough terrain, polyurethane for smooth concrete).
- Aisle Width: If your aisles are narrow, a long platform cart might be inefficient. You may need compact equipment with a tight turning radius.
- Conditions: Does the equipment need to withstand extreme heat, cold, or corrosive materials? Stainless steel or specific coatings may be necessary.
3. How Frequent is the Use?
- Durability: Equipment used daily for eight hours needs to be far more stable and heavy-duty than equipment only used once a week. Investing in premium components (like higher-rated casters and reinforced frames) pays off quickly in longevity and reduced maintenance.
4. Who is Operating the Equipment?
- Ergonomics: Equipment should be easy for your team to use. Consider features like adjustable handles, easy-to-use brakes, and handles positioned at optimal heights to reduce physical exertion.
Optimize Your Space: High-Density Storage Solutions
The most critical part of material handling isn't just moving products—it's storing them efficiently. To maximize your facility's footprint and vertical space, consider these essential industrial solutions:
Pallet Racks are the backbone of any warehouse. They organize materials vertically, allowing forklifts and pallet jacks to access inventory quickly. When choosing a system, consider your inventory's turnover rate:
- Selective Racks: Best for quick turnover and access to every pallet (e.g., First-In, First-Out or FIFO).
- Drive-In/Drive-Thru Racks: Ideal for high-density storage of homogeneous products with slower turnover (e.g., Last-In, First-Out or LIFO).
Cantilever Racks help store items that are long, bulky, or awkward to place on traditional shelving—like lumber, piping, metal sheets, or furniture. Cantilever Racks use arms extending horizontally from a single vertical column, providing unobstructed access along the entire length of the stored material. This dramatically improves retrieval time for non-palletized goods.
Industrial Mezzanines create usable second-level space within your existing facility. These steel structures allow you to double your square footage without costly construction. They can be used for:
- Office Space: Creating administrative or break rooms above the manufacturing floor.
- Storage: Adding extra capacity for inventory, parts, or archives.
- Work Platforms: Providing access points for machinery maintenance or conveyor systems.
A well-designed mezzanine can transform a single-story facility into a highly efficient, two-level operation.
Tools for the Floor
Whether you need a specialized hand truck for moving gas cylinders or a heavy-duty platform cart capable of handling hundreds of pounds of materials, Yankee Supply has the robust equipment for your everyday tasks:
Streamline your material handling processes with our robust equipment. From hand trucks and platform carts to high-capacity pallet racks and mezzanines, we offer solutions for every task. https://yankeesupply.com/#MaterialHandlingEquipment
