Principles of Material Management - MIT School of Distance Education
                     MIT School of Distance Education
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.
        
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