Principles of Material Management

Material Management is an important aspect of manufacturing and supply chain industry. It refers to the process of planning, executing, directing, coordinating, monitoring and controlling of all the processes that are associated with the materials required in the industries. It involves management of all activities from the inception of materials to their use in the manufacturing process.

There are certain principles that govern material management. Knowledge of these principles facilitates individuals to exercise effective material management. So, whether you are a material manager or aspire to enter the field, you must be well-versed with all these principles of material handling.

Planning Principle

According to this principle, the material manager must plan all the activities related to the handling of materials and storage activities in advance in order to achieve operational efficiency.

Gravity Principle

As per gravity principle, laws of gravity must be implemented for shifting of materials from one place to another.

Space utilization Principle

It involves making the most effective utilization of available space. This principle is taken into account in the work areas, storage areas as well as while transporting loads.

Safety Principle

Safe handling of the material is quite important to achieve maximum output without any hindrance. Different methods for safe and effective handling of the materials should be chosen under this principle.

Flexibility Principle

It aims at finding different methods to satisfy different conditions. A material manager must find search methods and equipments which are flexible enough to satisfy different types of conditions.

Ecology or Environmental Principle

Sometimes, methods of material handling can have adverse effects on the environment. Thus, Ecology principle ensures that while carrying out material handling, best alternative method must be adopted to minimize the effect on the environment.

System Principal

System principal states that the material manager should integrate as many handling activities as possible and practicable in a coordinated operational system. Different storage activities and activities related to the movement of materials can be integrated into a system of storage, packaging, shipping, transportation, production, inspection and many more.

Standardisation Principle

According to this principle, the material manager must standardize the type and side of handling equipment along with standardizing the handling methods.

Simplification Principle

This principle involves the usage of simplified methods with the removal of all the unnecessary stuff.

Maintenance Principle

This principle states that frequent maintenance and repairs can be prevented through proper preparation of plans.

Work Principle

This s principle aims at minimizing the handling work without affecting the operating productivity or service level.

Dead Weight Principle

As per dead weight principle, the ratio of mobile handling equipment’s dead weight to the weight of the load carried must be minimized.

Materials Flow Principle

This principle is also known as the principle of continuous flow. According to the principle, an operation sequence and layout should be created in such a way that material flow can be minimized.

Closing note

So, these were some of the core principles of material management that every material manager must know. At MIT School of Distance Education (MIT-SDE), we train aspiring material managers of all the core concepts and principles of the field. Our material management course lays impetus on the industry-specific knowledge. That is why we keep on updating our syllabus with development in the industry. Our candidates are trained by industry experts so that they can immediately get absorbed in the industry. So, if you wish to pursue a job-centric course, then apply for admissions in MIT-SDE right away.

MIT School of Distance Education is one of the largest autonomous institutes in India for Distance MBA equivalent courses. MITSDE is approved by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE).