Warehousing and Materials Handling
Material handling – making the supply chain work
Material handling is a wide discipline encompassing all the aspects of the supply chain.
Using the right materials handling equipment can bring about efficiency improvements, with robotics taking efficiency to a whole new level.
Defined as both an art and a science, material handling is an extensive field of expertise, covering all the aspects relating to the movement, storage, control and protection of materials, goods and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal.
The objectives of material handling are:
– Increasing efficiency of material flow
– Increasing productivity
– Improving safety and working conditions
– Reducing material handling cost
– Improving facility utilization
– Facilitating the manufacturing process
Considering these objectives, it becomes clear why material handling and the equipment used to achieve it, is increasingly becoming an issue of strategic importance for companies who understand the competitive advantages it can create.
Material handling equipment is the mechanical equipment involved in the complete material handling system and is generally separated into four main categories: Storage and Handling Equipment, Engineered Systems, Industrial Trucks and Bulk Material Handling. See the general overview of each category below.
Racking and Shelving, Storage and handling equipment –
Storage and handling equipment includes the non-automated storage equipment including products such as pallets, racking, shelving, carts, etc. These items generally have globally accepted standards and are often sold as stock materials out of catalogues.
Companies supplying racking and shelving include Acrow, Barpro Storage, Dexion Racking and Shelving Systems, EM Shelving & Racking, ESE Manufacturing, Krost Shelving, Linvar, and Palian to name but a few.
Acrow – is a name known throughout the world, and is one of South Africa’s largest storage and construction equipment manufacturers. They have been the pioneers of new ideas for reliable and efficient storage, materials handling and construction solutions since 1946.
Acrow focuses on warehouse design and turnkey projects by supplying racking, shelving, scaffolding, formwork, wire trunking, cable reticulation, and strut.
Automated Mobile Racking Solutions –
Africa, and South Africa have been quick on the uptake, with multiple companies implementing automated mobile racking storage solutions in their warehouses and distribution centres. Acrow has seen great success with automated mobile racking particularly in cold storage plants.
Barpro Storage is South Africa’s most trusted mobile racking and storage specialist, with over 25 years’ experience in ambient and cold storage applications in Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Mauritius.
Our Cape Town and Johannesburg branches service all areas, offering mobile and fixed storage system design, supply, installation, maintenance and repairs. We also repair non-STORAX mobile systems and consult on all storage-related issues. If we can’t help you ourselves, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.
Mobile Racking –
Mobile Racking is a high-density, electrically-operated storage system that can accommodate both conventional and unconventional racking. Appropriate for new and retrofitted ambient and cold-storage applications, Barpro mobile racking maximizes usable space by removing the need for multiple aisles, increasing vertical capacity, and providing 100% access to each and every pallet position.
Cape Racking & Shelving specializes in the planning, sales and installation of high quality new and reconditioned storage systems.
We also purchase / exchange good quality second hand shelving and racking.
Our services include:
– Planning and design
– Shelving
– Racking
– New and second hand systems
– Warehouse relocation’s
– Repairs and maintenance
– Mesh and metal lockers
– Structural and rack based mezzanine floors
Our shelving/storage solutions include gondola shelving, nut & bolt shelving, mobile shelving, lockers, mesh lockers, cages and cabinets. We also offer light / medium / heavy / standard duty racking solutions, specialized racking, fencing and mezzanine flooring.
Dexion Racking and Shelving Systems – Welcome To Dexion Racking and Shelving – Your Racking & Shelving Specialist with over 55 years of experience in Materials Handling and Storage Systems, Dexion has the expertise to solve any storage requirements.
Our Cape Town Head Office and network provide support to customers on a national basis. Dexion’s range of products includes: racking, shelving, conveyor systems, mezzanine floors, filing boxes and small parts bins; and we provide a complete advice and design service. Our regular inspection service includes audit, reporting and recommendations.
EM Shelving & Racking with over 20 years experience in materials handling specializes in planning, sale and installation of high quality new and reconditioned storage systems.
We also purchase or exchange good quality second hand shelving and racking. No storage problem or job is too big or too small. To discuss your specific needs and for a free quotation, simply give us a call.
• New Shelving & Racking
• Refurbished Shelving and Racking
• Repair and Maintenance, Valuation & Verification of Storage Systems
• Warehouse Moving
• New Metal and Mesh Lockers
• Steel Structure & Racking Based Mezzanine Flooring
• Retail Gondola Shelvingmoney & MAKING SPACE WORK FOR YOU!.
ESE Manufacturing is a proudly South African racking and shelving company established in 1998, by Mr Stanley Aucamp. With over 20 years of experience in Materials Handling and Storage Systems, ESE Manufacturing has the expertise to solve any storage equirements.
Product Range –
Racking – Pallet Racking, Drive-in Racking, Drive through Racking, Live Racking, Cantilever Racking, Mini Racking, High-bay Racking, Racking Accessories
Shelving – Mobile Shelving, Bolted Shelving, Bolt-less Shelving, Wire Mesh Shelving, Gondola Shelving, Library Shelving, Office Shelving
Floors – Mezzanine Floors
Accessories – Lockers, Stationery Cabinets, Store Bins and Panels, Trolleys, Hand Rails, Turnstiles, Ladders
Krost Shelving and Racking suppliers of Quality Racking, Shelving, Mezzanine Floors & Storage Solutions
We take pride in each and every shelving, racking, mezzanine floor and locker that we manufacture, and it only leaves the factory if it’s got our stamp of approval.
Our storage units are made with one perspective at mind, to make sure all our customers goods are stored pragmatically. Our storage solutions will give your warehouse more storage space, so that you can store all your goods in one place.
We are the fastest growing industrial storage equipment manufacturer in southern Africa and are looking forward to growing our presence on the rest of the African continent.
The shelving and racking solutions Krost offers are in a class of their own, accompanied by other services like mezzanine floors and lockers.
Racking
Selective Storage & Pallet Racking, VNA Racking (Very Narrow Aisle), Shuttle / Mole Racking, Catwalk / Pick Face Racking, Drive in / Drive Thru Racking, Carton Live / Flow Racking, Selective Storage Racking, Cantilever Racking, Rack Supported Mezzanine Floor
Shelving
Bolted Shelving, Rivet Shelving, Gondola Shelving, Library Shelving, Mobile Shelving, Warehouse Shelving
Linvar (Pty) Ltd – Southern Africa, is a locally-owned company that has been providing companies across South Africa and the continent with various warehouse and office storage solutions, for over 50 years.
Linvar prides itself on providing great products with exceptional service. Our team of professionals is available to all kinds of customers.
Whether you’re a small business in need of innovative storage solutions or a have a warehouse with complex logistical requirements.
We also specialize in supplying and fitting factory, office and warehouse shelving, racking and mezzanine floors. Linvar provides a turnkey solution that includes planning, design and project implementation management.
We are also home to the world renown Linbin® the “original storage bin” that comes in 10 different colors and 7 different sizes and can be stacked or hung on a louvre panel it can also be fitted with a divider or lid making it the most versatile in the market.
Our Linbin® is also the only storage bin in the world that comes with a life-time guarantee making it the most trusted storage bin on the market.
Palian is proud to have developed the most advanced Racking manufacturing plant in the industry. With unrivalled capacity, efficiencies and quality control systems, our manufacturing plant ensures our promises are met and exceeded – time and again.
Today Palian Pty Ltd is the leader in manufacturing storage systems. Palian has assembled a team with the most extensive, reputable experience in the industry to grow Palian to the true leader in racking and shelving production and installations in South Africa.
Boasting the most automated manufacturing plant and producing over 5 different patented products – on time, every time- Palian (Pty) Ltd works to the highest independent international standards which remain unmatched and annually verified by Independent PR Engineering Companies.
RACKING SOLUTIONS
Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR), Narroe Aisle Racking, Mini Racking, Cantilever Racking, Radioshuttle Racking, Mobile Racking, Pushback Racking, Drive In/Through Racking, Pallet Live Storage, Carton Flow
SHELVING & MEZZANINE
Bolted Shelving, Boltless Shelving, Structural Mezzanine, Rack Supported Mezzanine, Multi-Tier Shelving System
Conveyors and Engineered systems –
Engineered systems are typically custom engineered material handling systems, such as conveyors, AS/RS, AGV and other automated material handling systems. Engineered systems are often a combination of products integrated to one system. Many distribution centers will optimize storage and picking by utilising engineered systems such as pick modules and sortation systems.
The use of the right materials handling technology determines the productivity in your warehouse and so choosing the correct conveyor system for your warehouse is vital.
There are a number of companies in South Africa supplying conveyors and conveyor equipment including Belting Edge, Chiorino, Conveyco, Interroll, IPCO, Jadec, Mexan and Progretto to name but a few.
Industrial trucks / Forklifts –
Industrial trucks usually refer to operator-driven motorised warehouse vehicles, of which forklifts must be the most common example, but certainly not the full extent of the category. It also includes, for example, tow tractors and stock chasers.
Suppliers of Forklift Trucks and moving equipment include ASquare, Avis Forklift Centre, Bidvest Forklifts, Eazi Access , EIE Group/Toyota Forklifts, Elite Forklifts, Jungheinrich, Linde Materials, Masslift/Mitsubishi Forklifts and Shamrock Handling Concepts.
A Square Forklift – Young, dynamic, driven, progressive – These are adjectives best employed to describe the ethos of A Square Forklift.
A Square constantly strives to innovate and improve our service offering, incorporating cutting edge products and systems to ensure that we remain at the forefront of efficient materials handling solutions.
These efficiencies are drawn from contributions across our range. From the eco-friendly Nichiyu Electric Forklifts to the best-in-class fuel efficiency of the Mitsubishi internal combustion range; from the innovative space-saving concepts of Combilift, to the bespoke motive control solutions available from Zapi; and on to the super-efficient energy transfer of the Zivan battery charger range.
Bidvest Materials Handling – We have a wide range of high quality and reliable forklifts for your warehouse. We also offer reach trucks, pallet stackers and order pickers
Our product & service offering includes:
Bidvest Materials Handling is able to offer a total solution to all your materials handling needs.
Sale of new units
Long term rentals
Sales of refurbished units
Maintenance contracts
Service work on all makes of forklifts
Parts supply – all brands
Short term hire machines
Battery supply and maintenance
Nissan forklifts and TCM have joined hands to come up with a formidable high-quality forklift and material handling company that is best suited for our clients. Uni-Carriers is taking the quality of both brands to the next level.
Eazi-Access – Founded in 2003, Eazi Access is Africa’s market leader in work-at-height and material-handling solutions. Our comprehensive offering includes rental, sales, servicing and training across a range of industries and applications.
We are a 100% South African-owned company with an extensive footprint across the country and a growing presence throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We have the largest, most diverse fleet of equipment on the continent, which is backed by a strong network of skilled technicians and our commitment to providing 24/7 support to our customers
Linde Forklifts
Efficient forklift trucks are the backbone of efficient intra-company logistics. Together with intelligent software and comprehensive service packages, operators achieve lasting competitive advantages. The best solutions arise when humans and technology work together in perfect harmony.
The principle of ergonomic design therefore strongly informs Linde Material Handling’s development of trucks and services. As the proud exclusive distributor of Linde forklifts within South Africa, Eazi Access partners with Linde to support our customers needs.
Elite Forklift Rental – for all your forklift requirements
All forklifts purchased for Elite’s rental fleet are new and of Japanese origin (design and manufacture). Elite Forklift Rental prides itself on being a professional organisation whose employees act with integrity and hold their customers’ best interests at heart.
Buy a Forklift
New Forklifts
We supply a full range of new forklifts for sale which include 1.5 to 10 ton (diesel forklifts, gas forklifts and electrical forklifts) as well as warehouse equipment such as reach trucks, pallet stackers, order pickers.
Manufactured in Japan with over 50 years forklift experience. Very competitive prices (We do volumes not high margins). We offer service packages on new machines to keep your machine in top running order.
Refurbished Forklifts
Alternatively we can supply fully refurbished forklifts. Up to 6 months warranty depending on application. Diesel, petrol/gas or electric.
Counterbalance and reach trucks.
Rent a Forklift
Forklift Rental Options
Daily forklift rentals or alternatively long term forklift rental agreements on a new forklift could work out affordable including full maintenance. Elite Forklift Rental also offers insurance at very competitive rates.
Forklift rentals from 1 day to monthly rentals at competitive rates. Alternatively you can rent over a 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 month period with full maintenance – very cost effective and no repair cost surprises.
A full range of rental forklifts:
1.5 ton through to 10 ton
Diesel, petrol/gas or electric
Reach trucks, pallet stackers, order pickers and other warehousing equipment
Range of lift heights for your particular requirement
Our fleet is in excellent condition and we pride ourselves on that
Delivered to you on time
Jungheinrich South Africa – Jungheinrich South Africa is a direct subsidiary of Jungheinrich AG and is one of the “ 50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders “, Germany. Jungheinrich AG is worldwide one of three leading companies in the material handling equipment, warehousing and material flow engineering sectors, as well as the European leader in warehousing technology.
Rather than taking the “one size fits all” approach, we focus on providing the best solution for the long-term profitability of your enterprise. Our approach to intralogistics is cross-industry and, as an active player in developing its future, we are committed to blazing new trails on behalf of our customers.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:
Jungheinrich offers you the right equipment for all your needs. Regardless of the lift height, surface or transport distance, we have the perfect solutions for all your applications in our product portfolio.
• Pallet trucks
• Electric forklift
• Diesel / LPG forklift
• Reach trucks
• Order pickers
• Tow tractors
• High rack stackers (VNA)
• Shuttle / Pallet carrier
• Special Builds
• Batteries and accessories
• Forklift rentals – short term and long term
• Automatic industrial trucks
Racking and warehouse equipment:
• Pallet storage static
• Pallet storage dynamic
• Small parts storage static
• Small parts storage dynamic
• Long good storage and platforms
Logistics software:
• Warehouse management systems
• Truck guidance system
• Logistics interface
System components:
• Radio data terminals
• WLAN infrastructure
• Barcode scanner
Shamrock Handling Concepts – Shamrock represents the top brands in forklift equipment throughout Southern Africa
Shamrock Handling Concepts (Pty) Ltd is the sole distributor of the Moffett truck mounted forklift, Agrimac 4×4 forklift range, and Combilift C-Series forklift range throughout Southern Africa.
Shamrock’s forklift sales, rentals, servicing and parts operation in South Africa is situated in Isando.
The company offers a first-class sales and technical service operation ensuring prompt and careful attention to customers’ requirements. Throughout South Africa and the surrounding countries Shamrock offers 24-hour customer sales and service through a comprehensive network of offices and sub dealerships.
Bulk material handling equipment –
Bulk material handling equipment is used to move and store bulk materials such as flour, liquids and cereals.
Choosing the right material handling equipment in each category increases throughput, control costs, and maximise productivity. There are several ways to determine if the material handling equipment is achieving peak efficiency.
These include capturing all relevant data related to the warehouse’s operation (such as SKUs – stock-keeping unit ), measuring how many times an item is “touched” from the time it is ordered until it leaves the building, making sure the proper picking technology is used, and keeping system downtime to a minimum.
Robotic Systems / Robots –
There has been an increase in the use of robotic systems in warehouses, and logistics and distribution centres. While historically limited to the automotive and electronic sectors, the robotics industry is now venturing into new territory and particularly in consumer goods, such as in the food, beverage and pharmaceuticals sectors. “Robotics is becoming a viable alternative to achieving a greater degree of flexibility in today’s more complex materials handling operations.
With the many new technology advancements and the promise of exceptional efficiency created by robotics, warehouse and logistics managers are well advised to ensure each category of their materials handling equipment is producing maximum efficiency to contain costs and improve productivity.
The specialists in robotics in South Africa are ABB and Yaskawa South Africa
