How to improve customer service, team productivity and profitability?

1. Material Handling (MH) How to improve customer service, team productivity and profitability? Anand Subramaniam

2. 2 “He who builds a better mousetrap these days runs into material shortages, patent-infringement suits, work stoppages, collusive bidding, discount discrimination--and taxes.” - H. E. Martz

3. Material Handling (MH) Principles 3 Orienta-tion Unit Load Space Utlisation Planning System Standardi-sation Ecology Mechani-sation Ergonomic Energy Flexibility Safety Cumputerisation Simplifi-cation Gravity System Flow Mainten-ance Obsole-scence Layout Cost

4. Material Handling – Principles Orientation - Study system relationships to identify existing methods, challenges, physical / economic constraints and establish future requirements/ goals Planning - Develop a plan for basic requirements, desirable options, and consideration of contingencies for all material handling & storage activities. Unit Load – As practical Space - Effective space utilisation 4

5. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Systems - Integrate handling & storage activities (economically viable) into a coordinated operations. This includes, receiving, inspection, storage, production, assembly, packaging, warehousing & shipping Standardisation - Standardise handling equipment & methods Ergonomic – Design MH equipment and procedures for effective interaction with system users taking into account human capabilities and limitations 5

6. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Energy - Include energy consumption of the MH systems and procedures when making comparisons or preparing economic justification Ecology - Minimise adverse affects on environment in selecting MH equipment/methods Mechanisation - Mechanise handling process where feasible to increase efficiency and economy in MH 6

7. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Flexibility - Use methods and equipment which can perform a variety of tasks under a variety of operating conditions Simplification - Simplify handling by eliminating, reducing, or combining unnecessary movements and / or equipment Gravity - Utilise gravity to move material wherever possible, while respecting limitations concerning safety, product damage and loss 7

8. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Safety - Provide safe MH equipment and methods which follow existing safety codes and regulations in addition to gained experience Computerisation - Consider computerisation in MH and safety systems, when circumstances warrant, for improved material / information control System Flow - Integrate data flow with physical material flow in handling and storage 8

9. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Layout - Prepare an operational sequence and equipment layout for all viable system solutions, then select the alternative system which best integrates efficiency and effectiveness Cost - Compare the economic justification of alternate solutions in equipment and methods on the basis of economic effectiveness as measured by expense per unit handled 9

10. Material Handling – Principles (Contd.) Maintenance - Prepare a plan for plant maintenance and scheduled repairs on all material handling equipment. Obsolescence - Prepare long range / economically sound policy for replacement of obsolete equipment / methods with special consideration to life cycle costs 10

11. 11 “Your equipment DOES NOT affect the quality of your image. The less time and effort you spend worrying about your equipment the more time and effort you can spend creating great images. The right equipment just makes it easier, faster or more convenient for you to get the results you need.” - Ken Rockwell

12. 12 Good Luck http://www.linkedin.com/in/anandsubramaniam