--- title: What is Material Handling? description: A company’s material handling system and processes can help improve customer service, shorten delivery time, and lower overall handling costs. --- ## What is Material Handling? Nov 1, 2017 Material handling is the movement, protection, storage and control of materials and products throughout manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, consumption and disposal. As a process, material handling incorporates a wide range of manual, semi-automated and automated equipment and systems that support logistics and make the supply chain work. Their application helps with: A company’s material handling system and processes are put in place to improve customer service, reduce inventory, shorten delivery time, and lower overall handling costs in manufacturing, distribution and transportation. There is a variety of manual, semi-automated and automated material handling equipment and technologies available to aid in the movement, protection, storage and control of materials and products throughout manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal. These include: Material handling systems are used in every industry, including: When designing a material handling system, it is important to refer to best practices to ensure that all the equipment and processes—including manual, semi-automated and automated—in a facility work together as a unified, system. By analyzing the goals of the material handling process and aligning them to guidelines, such as the 10 Principles of Material Handling, a properly designed system will improve customer service, reduce inventory, shorten delivery time, and lower overall handling costs in manufacturing, distribution and transportation. These principles include: For more information on Material Handling Systems and Integration please contact BoxLogix Automation at **[1-877-500-3241](onsip:18775003241@null)** or by email at [**Customer Support**](mailto:info@boxlogixautomation.com?subject=Inquiry%20Material%20Handling) To read the full article please click **[here](http://www.mhi.org/fundamentals/material-handling)** #### Related Articles ###### [Modernizing Material Flow: MDR Conveyor Systems](https://www.boxlogix.com/blog/modernizing-material-flow-mdr-conveyor-systems) Aug 5, 2025 ###### [A Closer Look at ROI Realization](https://www.boxlogix.com/blog/automation-a-closer-look-at-roi-realization) Dec 11, 2023 ###### [How to Manage Fluctuating Order Volumes without Adding Space](https://www.boxlogix.com/blog/how-to-manage-fluctuating-order-volumes-without-adding-space) Jan 26, 2026