Material Flow Management

Material flow management is the systematic analysis, assessment and optimisation of material and energy flows in a system, in most cases a production system. By detecting hotspots for optimisation and by closing of material loops significant cost savings can be achieved and - at the same time - the environmental impact caused by the operations of the company can be reduced.

The material flow systems within producing companies are mostly complex systems of linked and inter-acting processes. The mere amount of data (material and energy flow data, process specifications, cost data, ...) call for the use of appropriate software tools .

Optimisation of material and energy flow systems through a computer-based material flow management can be achieved through a series of measures, such as adaptation or modification of process layout, identification of resource savings potential, waste minimisation, or materials selection. Technical constraints must be considered, as well as compliance issues. Decisions on the implementation of measures must be taken based on reliable data - data that can be obtained from a material flow management software system.

For practical implementation a step-by-step approach should be considered. Material flow analysis are at first conducted for selected (e.g. resource intensive or cost intensive) production lines, and then expanded to other shop floor sectors and departments of the company. The level of detail will grow as the material flow project continues.