What Are the materials Handling Equipment in Warehousing? Trends in MHE and the Role of AiTEN Handling Robots

In warehousing and logistics, efficient warehousing operations rely heavily on the right material handling equipment (MHE). From storage and transport to order fulfilment, the right equipment not only increases productivity but also enhances safety and accuracy. In this article, we'll explore the types and functions of material handling equipment used in warehousing to help warehouse managers and logistics professionals make informed decisions.

In addition, we'll share how AiTEN's handling robots can solve material handling challenges to help streamline your warehouse operations.

Ⅰ. What Is Materials Handling Equipment (MHE)?

Materials Handling Equipment refers to tools and machinery used to move, store, control, and protect goods and materials throughout the warehouse. MHE is critical in supply chain efficiency, reducing manual labor, optimizing space utilization, and minimizing handling time.

Ⅱ. Main Categories of Materials Handling Equipment

Materials handling equipment in warehousing generally falls into six major categories:

1. Storage Equipment

These tools are used to safely store products until they are needed. Examples include:

• ‍Pallet Racking: Selective, drive-in or push-back racking for stacking palletised goods in vertical layers.‍
• Cantilever Racks: For long items like pipes or lumber.‍
• Mezzanines: Elevated platforms to maximize vertical space.‍
• Shelving & Bins: Adjustable shelves and small-part containers.‍
• Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems: Robotic systems like vertical lift modules and carousels.

2. Transport Equipment

Transport equipment moves goods within a warehouse or between loading docks and storage areas. Common examples include:

• ‍Conveyor Systems: Automated or motorized belts for continuous material movement. ‍
• Forklifts: Including counterbalance, reach trucks, and order pickers for lifting and moving heavy pallets. ‍
• Pallet Jacks: Manual or electric tools for short-distance pallet movement. ‍
• AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles): Driverless vehicles that follow pre-defined paths. Self-navigating carts for transporting goods.

That's where AiTEN robots come in. At AiTEN, we offer state-of-the-art material handling robots and automated management systems to improve efficiency and accuracy throughout your warehouse.

3. Positioning Equipment

These are used to position materials for handling, assembly, or inspection:

• Lift Tables: Adjustable-height platforms for ergonomic handling.
• Turntables and Rotators: Allow easy rotation of items for assembly or packing.
• Dock Levelers: Bridge gaps between docks and trucks.

4. Unit Load Formation Equipment

This equipment helps group materials into single loads for more efficient handling:

• ‍Palletizers: Automatically stack products onto pallets. ‍
• Stretch Wrappers: Secure loads with plastic film for stability during transport. ‍
• Strapping Machines: Bind items together using metal or plastic straps. ‍
• Pallets & Containers: Standardized platforms (wooden, plastic, metal) for consolidation.

5. Robotic Systems

• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): Agile robots for item transport.

• Robotic Arms: For picking, packing, or palletizing.

• Drones: Inventory checks in high locations.

6. Control & Monitoring

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Software for inventory and workflow.
• RFID/Barcode Scanners: Track items digitally.
• Scales & Dimensioners: Measure weight/size for shipping.

Ⅲ. Emerging Trends in Warehouse Materials Handling

1. Automation and Robotics

Including AMRs and AGVs for autonomous material movement.

Workflow automation: AGVs and AMRs automate the movement of materials within a facility, whether it's moving goods from the production line to the warehouse or delivering items to the shipping area. They are especially useful in large warehouses and manufacturing plants that need to move materials over long distances.

Supplier of automated material handling equipment: AiTEN Robotics, a provider of small and light industrial handling robots.

2. IoT Integration

IoT is integrated with AI technologies, such as visual recognition of pallet posture and predictive maintenance, to further enhance equipment reliability.

3. Digital Management

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software platform for managing inventory, tracking orders and optimising warehouse operations.

AiTEN Robotics can be integrated with various automation systems to enable real-time tracking and monitoring of inventory and equipment status. AiTEN Robotics solutions enable full process integration.

4. Sustainable Equipment

Energy-efficient MHE, like electric forklifts.

Ⅳ. Benefits of Using the Right Materials Handling Equipment

 Using the right material handling equipment will enable your factory to have the necessary inventory in the smallest possible space, reduce the time spent on shipping and picking, control inventory in real time, reduce operating costs and optimise the overall flow of goods within your factory.

1. Increase Productivity

Material handling equipment can help your employees move and store goods faster, allowing them to perform other tasks more competently and efficiently.

2. Reduce Labour Costs

Automation reduces reliance on labour. According to the report, global warehousing companies spend up to €300 billion per year. 

3. Improve Security

According to a 2024 survey, overexertion is the worst workplace accident. With material handling systems and appropriate equipment, employees do not need to lift heavy objects and reach high storage areas, minimising the risk of injury and accidents.

4. Optimise Space

Intelligent storage solutions effectively increase warehouse capacity through three-dimensional layout and dynamic space allocation, freeing up more usable space and reducing storage costs.

5. Improve Inventory Accuracy

The system automatically records information on goods entering and leaving the warehouse, reduces human error, ensures real-time data synchronisation, and fully supports efficient and refined inventory management.

Conclusion

Choosing the right materials handling equipment is essential for any warehouse looking to improve its operations. Whether you're running a large distribution center or a small storage facility, investing in the proper MHE can lead to greater efficiency, lower costs, and improved worker safety. As warehousing continues to evolve, staying updated with the latest equipment trends is key to staying competitive.

As automation technology continues to evolve, it is reshaping the material handling landscape, increasing efficiency, reducing costs and minimising errors. The rise of AGVs, AMRs and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), amongst others, is transforming the way materials are stored, transported and managed.

The convergence of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, IoT and sustainable practices will further enhance material handling systems, making them more efficient, flexible and environmentally friendly. As organisations continue to adopt and innovate in this area, the future of material handling is bound to be full of exciting changes.

If you want to explore solutions for your smart factory, please contact us, and we will provide you with free feasibility analysis based on your operational situation.