Material Handling: handling, lifting, transport and storage

Blog > Material Handling: handling, lifting, transport and storage

Material handling includes all the operations necessary to efficiently manage the flow of materials within a production plant: from handling to lifting, from internal transport to storage and order preparation.

This is a central activity in industrial logistics, because it reduces unproductive time, optimises resources and ensures that each load unit is available in the right place at the right time. To summarise in a single expression: material handling optimises logistics processes.

To meet these needs, at Nuova Tecnica we design customised modular systems that integrate equipment for lifting, transport and handling automation, simplifying internal flows and improving the productivity of operational departments.

Material handling is a set of technical processes aimed at the operation of the warehouse and internal logistics, coordinating the movement and management of goods throughout all operational phases.

From receipt to storage, from picking to shipping, each step must be planned according to the layout, volumes and type of materials.

At the logistical level, a well-designed system allows for the reduction of unnecessary handling and automation of repetitive tasks using transport trolleys, electric pushers, motorised robots, conveyors and roller conveyors.

To fully understand the impact of material handling on business logistics, it is useful to distinguish the main types of handling used in production and logistics contexts.

La movimentazione dei materiali può assumere forme molto diverse in base al contesto operativo. All’interno di un impianto produttivo o logistico, è fondamentale distinguere tra:

• Movimentazione interna o intralogistica: avviene all’interno del magazzino o del sito produttivo e riguarda lo spostamento di merci, semilavorati o prodotti finiti tra diverse aree funzionali. È qui che trovano applicazione carrelli di trasporto, spingitori elettrici e rulliere.
• Movimentazione esterna: include attività come il trasloco industriale, la movimentazione su cantieri o lo spostamento di impianti completi. In questi casi, servono soluzioni robuste e flessibili, spesso modulari, in grado di operare anche in spazi ristretti o su pavimentazioni irregolari.

In generale, laddove possibile, la tendenza è sostituire le movimentazioni manuali con sistemi automatizzati, più sicuri e meno dispendiosi in termini di tempo e forza lavoro.

Ogni tipologia richiede una valutazione tecnica specifica per scegliere le attrezzature più adatte in base a carichi, frequenze, percorsi e obiettivi logistici.

Material handling can take many different forms depending on the operating context. Within a production or logistics facility, it is essential to distinguish between:

• Internal or intralogistics handling: takes place within the warehouse or production site and involves the movement of goods, semi-finished or finished products between different functional areas. This is where transport trolleys, electric pushers and roller conveyors are used.
• External handling: includes activities such as industrial relocation, handling on construction sites or the movement of complete plants. In these cases, robust and flexible solutions are required, often modular, capable of operating even in confined spaces or on uneven flooring.

In general, where possible, the trend is to replace manual handling with automated systems, which are safer and less time-consuming and labour-intensive.

Each type requires a specific technical assessment to choose the most suitable equipment based on loads, frequencies, routes and logistical objectives.

The choice of equipment determines the efficiency of internal flows, safety and the plant's ability to adapt to production volumes.

Our company specialises in technologies and equipment for warehouse logistics and industrial handling. We develop modular systems that integrate solutions for storage, lifting and handling, ensuring maximum precision:

• Transport trolleys and swivel trolleys allow components, semi-finished products or load units to be moved between departments and the warehouse. They are manufactured with different load capacities, reinforced structures and guidance systems that can be configured according to the required turning radius.
• Air lifting cushions, available in high-pressure and flat-profile versions, allow heavy machinery to be lifted and moved thanks to an air cushion that reduces friction with the ground. They are ideal for installation, maintenance or repositioning of equipment.
• Hydraulic lifters and jacks are essential tools for the controlled lifting of machinery or industrial structures. They offer stability, precision and high capacity, even in confined spaces or where synchronous lifting is required.

When it comes to material handling, operational efficiency must go hand in hand with safety. The handling of loads, especially if manual or involving heavy and bulky materials, entails significant risks for operators and for the continuity of processes.

Each system must therefore meet ergonomic, regulatory and functional criteria, minimising the risk of accidents and ensuring compliance with current regulations.

The Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 defines the essential safety requirements for equipment and systems used in industrial handling. At national level, the regulatory reference is Legislative Decree 81/08, which requires preventive measures to limit exposure to the risks of manual handling of loads, in addition to mandatory training for operators.

The automation of the most repetitive and physically demanding tasks increases safety in load handling, space management and precision in operational phases.

Material handling is a technical lever that directly affects the organisation and efficiency of internal processes.

Intervening in this area means:

1. Improving the efficiency of flows by reducing downtime between phases and ensuring continuity between production, storage and distribution;
2. Increasing warehouse productivity by automating repetitive tasks and freeing up resources from non-strategic manual tasks;
3. Optimising handling management by choosing the most suitable equipment based on loads, routes and operating frequencies;
4. Planning internal transport effectively by organising flows based on the layout, volumes and physical constraints of the facility;
5. Reduce risks and increase safety for specialised operators;
6. Ensure plant availability through scheduled maintenance of forklifts, lifting systems and motorised devices, reducing unplanned downtime.

The level of efficiency depends on the quality of the solutions adopted and the expertise of those who design them.

A structured material handling system has a direct impact on the operational efficiency and productivity of industrial warehouses. The ability to reduce handling times, avoid slowdowns and contain costs depends on the ability to integrate equipment, technologies and logistics flows within a coordinated process.

Layout analysis, internal flow mapping and inter-departmental transport planning are the starting points for building an effective handling system. In this context, tools such as shuttles and automated picking solutions speed up operations and optimise warehouse management.

An often underestimated but crucial aspect is the scheduled maintenance of equipment. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns, extends the useful life of the systems and ensures the continuity of production flows.

Every tool, from motorised trucks to automatic vehicles, must be kept in optimal condition to ensure consistent and safe performance. Optimising material handling allows for a more fluid, secure and scalable system that adapts to changes and the growth needs of the company.

Through factory logistics and supply chain tools, and proper warehouse handling management, it is possible to make the industrial warehouse more efficient, reduce operational waste and improve control of internal flows.