Relevance Of Materials Handling

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW
The flow of materials and finished goods is seen as a business on its own right away, concerned with minimizing the overall cost of supply but maximizing the market advantages.
The movement of materials parts and finished products through the productive chain comes increasingly under a total material management philosophy, simultaneously, there are major change. Most organization maintain some handling equipment varying in size and computerized integrated handling system.
Handling materials which is one of the main activities in store house and stockyard is a costly operation and therefore the method and equipment should be efficient. It is critical that the most efficient and the most cost effective system is chosen at the beginning which will be flexible enough to allow for operation.
Materials handling is of major importance not only in the store house but also throughout the production process.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
On the course of investigation, the researcher discovered the following problem of effective materials handling in a manufacturing industries (Consolidated Breweries Awomma)
Some of the problems include ;
i. Non impact of the profitability of the company:- Material handling has not been taken too serious in the company and therefore are not seen to make any impact in the profitability of the company.
ii. No adequate or effective program in place for the material handling development:- the company has no immediate program in place to develop and improve the material handling unit.
iii. Poor Coordination between the various materials handling activities:- there is lack of adequate coordination and perhaps integration between the various materials handling activities.
iv. Unskilled Labour:- Materials Handling Process are being carried out by people who are unskilled in handling materials.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to make in-depth investigation in the following areas.
i. To find out the extent to which different materials handling method adopted in breweries industries has helped to improve the company’s aim.
ii. To find out ways of improving co-ordination and more contributions to total materials handling cost by advocating for a materials handling management type in the organization.
iii. To find out the method of reducing overall cost through efficient management of materials handling equipment.
iv. To examine the caliber of staff involved in the various activities of materials handling.
v. To know and ascertain the contributions of materials handling methods and equipment employed to profitability and from efficient running of the system.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is the mind of the researcher that the findings and recommendation of this project work be useful to many interested persons. It is the significance of this study to make a viable and significant ratification as to clearly identify what relevance of materials handling matters in an organization.
The study will no doubt be useful to all purchasing students as it will be a vital academic material. This would enable them have a wide knowledge of material handling system in a manufacturing organization.
Also this study will enlighten the manufacturing industries the need for effective material handling system. The study is again undertaken in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the National Board of Techniical Education and Federal polytechnic Nekede for the Award of HND in Purchasing and Supply.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
On the account of numerous problems faced by industries, but due to financial and time constraints, the researcher intended to use only the Consolidated Breweries Plc Awo-Omamma. Hence that is where the research is based.
This question are formulated for the purpose of this research work.
i. Will effective material handling activities achieve results in the organization?
ii. Is low productivity in an organization cause ineffectiveness of materials handling?
iii. Are there adequate wide knowledge of materials handling system in the organizational growth?
iv. Which department is responsible for materials handling equipment in the company?
v. Are there ways of finding method of materials handling in the company?

1.6 STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS
For the purpose of this project work, the following hypothesis will be tested as they are related to the survey work under consideration efficient.
HO: Effective Material Handling Activities Will Not Achieve Results In Production.
HI: Effective Material Handling Activities Will Achieve Positive Results In Production.
HO: Low Productivity In An Organization Was Not As A Result Of Ineffectiveness Of Materials Handling.
HI: Low Productivity In An Organization Was Not As A Result Of Ineffectiveness Of Materials Handling.

1.7 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study is supposed to cover at least one third of the total number of notable manufacturing industries, but due to financial and time constraints, the researcher intends to use only the Consolidated Breweries Plc Awo-Omamma. Hence, that is where the research is based.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
In this research work, some problems were encountered by the researcher and this includes;
i. FINANCE: The researcher being a full time student at the time of carrying out this research found it difficult to make ends meet with the little surveys he had.
ii. TIME: this was one the limiting factors that affect this project work, that is the time limit within which to complete this work is relatively small and does not allow for the detected investigation wanted by the researcher.
iii. POOR RESPONSES: The response of the people during interview was very poor and there were some questions asked and there would tell you that it is confidential with this information was let out easily.
iv. TRANSPORTATION: The means of transportation was another major problem, Hence the questionnaire will be conducted at a limited level, especially within Awo-Omamma.

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS:
MATERIALS HANDLING: This embrace the movement of handling and storage of everything within and around the establishment including raw materials components and supporting goods regardless of shape, size, form, nature or weight.
STORE: According to Oyeokwu (1993), A store can be defined as any space reserved and equipped for holding materials which are awaiting dispatch to customers for further processing or final consumption.
RECEIPT OF STOCK: Is the process of accepting from all sources, all materials and including supplies for manufacturing or operating processes, plant maintenance and finished products.
DOUBLE HANDLING OF MATERIALS: Refers to the situation where materials are being handled more times than is necessary, mainly because of inefficiency within the whole supply management system.
MANUAL HANDLING: This is the natural way of handling materials by hand. The human hand is capable of an almost indefinite variety of grips and posture.
MECHANICAL HANDLING: This covers the use of mechanical aids in the movement storage and handling of materials.