Impact Of Efficient Materials Handling In A Manufacturing Organization

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL OVER VIEW OF THE STUDY
The history of materials handling is broad and fascinating as that of industry itself. A variety of manual handling techniques and mechanical aids have been described and illustrated. Early records show many uses of simple handling. Handling was already well advanced in the ancient Egypt and further development in Greek and human civilization uses of cranes rolled, pulleys, pumps and other devices are well document in literature.
Further materials handling development look place during the industrial revolution and giants’ studies were made in the early twentieth century, when the in experienced automotive industry began to use conveyors and mechanical assembly lines. The development of materials handling technology has played such a pivotal role in material humoring which may account for 30 – 75% or cost or making a product.
Ye inefficient materials handling does not always surface as the roof cause of problem because its roles often obscured by other functions. What is on reality a materials handling problems may be perceived as production problems or an inventory quality control problem.
Handling materials, which is one of the main activities in an organization according to Morrison (1982) is a costly operation and therefore the methods and equipment employed, should be efficient at all times materials handling embraces the movement, handling and storage of everything within and around an organization, including raw materials components and supporting goods in the stores and between operation) regardless of shape, size form nature or weight. Efficient materials handling in very important in an organization and also throughout the production process.
Mercedes-benz anammco is a joint venture between the federal Government of Nigeria and Daimler Chrysler AG. MB ANAMMCO manufacturer’s commercials vehicles and leads in the commercial vehicles market from five tons pay lead and above in Nigeria. The plant occupies a sprawling 300,000 square meter site at emene, near Enugu is a shining example of a profitable and viable economic and technological co-operation between the Government and people of Nigerian and Diamler Chrysler A.G
M.B ANAMMCO limited was incorporated on January 17, 1977, and the first executive president of Nigeria, ALHAJI SHEHU SHAGARI, commissioned the plant on July 8, 1980. It started official production in January 1981, and has to data made on enviable mark on the nation’s industrials growth, adding over 2500 vehicles to the nations transport sector backed up effectively with a network of over 36 after – sales service points and spare parts supply depots. The company’s central; spare parts dept Enugu stock over 35000 line items.
The multi-million naira plant was initially planned to produce tanks for the Nigerian market, but today the plant has diversified its products range include the full range of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles for the rapid industrialization of the country. It does not only produce trucks such as L800, L1418 and ACTos, but has gone a step further in design, fabrication, manufacturing production and sales f buses and other utility vehicles which includes MBo800, MBo1418, MBO1721, MBO400, Marco polo bus car, the fighting vehicles ambulances, mobile clinics, refuse collector and other various specialized types of vehicles.
As a formidable representative of Daimler Chrysler AG. In Nigeria, MB ANAMMCO brings Mercedes-Benz technology and know-how to Nigerian while at the same time creating other 800 opportunities for Nigerians.
MB-ANAMMCO has actively participated in the Federal Government assisted mass transit programmed. It supplied over 1000 unites of different bus models to the federal urban mass transit agency and the state/local government mass transit companies.
The MB-ANAMMCO training center, which was commissioned in 1982, has lived up to billing in producing higher caliber middle – level technical; manpower for the company, and the nation in general. Its objectives is by providing training facilities not only for apprentices but also for on the job training for improvement in the technical skills work habits and leadership qualities of factors workers artisan and first line managers.
MB-ANAMMCO continues to live up to its social responsibilities in all ramifications it takes care of its over 800 employees by offering them highly subsidized food at its modern canteen, providing free medical services to its employers and their dependants and offering them recreational facilities. Its contribution to the economic development of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. The company has continues to maintain a high level of resilience in its attempt to serve the harsh economic climate and live up to the confidence reposed in it as an extension of the most historical transitional and successful automotive company in the world.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The neglect of materials handling in most manufacturing industries.
i. The complexity of materials handling in most manufacturing industries.
ii. The administrative industrial waste in cost through employing manual devices is some area instead of machine or mechanical devices
iii. Failure in the maintenance operation.
iv. The use of unskilled operators to operate the machines thereby causing damages and losses.
v. Unnecessary handling materials involved in the motor manufacturing company.
vi. Inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the equipments and machine.
vii. The problems encountered form the tools and their possible solutions.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective of the study is to make an in-depth investigation into the flowing.
a. To find out the method of reducing overall cost through efficient management of materials handling equipment.
b. To find out the extent which different materials handling method adopted in (ANAMMCO) to achieve their aim.
c. To find out ways of improving coordinating and more efficient control of various activities that contribute to total materials handling management types in organization.
d. To know and ascertain the contribution of materials handling method and equipment employed to profitability and tools efficient running of the system.
e. To examine the caliber of staff involved in various activities of materials handling these activities areas includes; unloading stores producing maintenance.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The importance of this research study is to provide graduates with the knowledge of knowing and understanding importance of materials handling.
The purchasing student should not relent on their effort to read far and wide because in this global world there are lot things to grap on their finger tips so as to meet up with the challenges in the outside world. Student in purchasing and supply should have the knowledge of the use of mechanical handling equipment so as to enable them expand their ideals in the academics environment and outside the country.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION
1. What is the necessary handling materials involved in the motor manufacturing company?
2. What are the handling equipment?
3. How effective and efficient of these equipment?
4. What are the cost appreciate with these two and their effects to the production cost?
5. What are the problems encountered from the tools and their possible solutions?
6. What is the responsibility of the purchasing department in contribution to materials handling?
7. Does the purchasing department contribute in professional and skilled materials handling?
8. Is there any problem in the implementation and understainf materials handling?
9. Does purchasing department have any interaction in management decision on materials handling.

1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
HO: purchasing department does not contribute to professional and skilled materials handling.
HI: purchasing department contributes to professional and skilled materials handling.
Ho: there is no need for efficient materials handling to avoid pilferages.
HI: there is need for efficient materials handling to avoid pilferages.

1.7 SCOPE TO THE STUDY
The project writer intends to focus the attention of the study on the impact of efficient materials handling and a special reference to MB ANAMMCO limited ENUGU. Also intend to make recommendation that will help to improve material handling and at the same time out some activities like reviewing the past relevant literature and testing of hypothesis formed in order to determine its validity.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
During the cause of this work the researcher encounter the following problems.
TIME FACTORS: it looks the researcher enough time to collect this data since time wait for nobody. The researcher had to schedule most of his time on the research still he found it difficult to meet certain appointment time.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: a lot of expense were incurred in producing this project and this posed some problem to the researcher became considering the economy of this country, every item is money, more so the location of ANAMMCOM as the researcher case study is far from school. He has to move from school to Enugu for her primary data considering the cost of transportation especially in this time of fuel scarcity.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terns are defined as a way of explaining technical terms to misunderstanding.
MATERIALS: these are substance that serves as input in manufacturing a product in question. They may be in liquid (water) or solid forms.
HANDLING: this means movement of items
EQUIPMENTS: they are tools or devices that aid production especially movement of materials like conveyors.
ROBERTS: a device that can be manipulated to perform numerous functions.
PALLLETS: this is a special tool that sense as based for easy movement storing, loading and off-loading of materials.
USERS DEPARTMENT: the department that uses the materials like production department.
OPERATORS: people or individual who are responsible for controlling the equipment or tools or machines uses on handling for materials.