Material handling equipment generally refers to the tools and systems that are used in a manufacturing, distribution, or warehousing facility to move, store, control, and protect materials and products. Common material handling equipment includes conveyors and trolleys, forklifts, pallet trucks, cranes, and packaging and sealing equipment.

The four main groups of material handling equipment are:

• Storage and handling equipment is used to store products and materials. This category includes the various types of shelving and racking systems, from standard pallet shelving to vertical carousels. These are designed to maximise the use of storage space while minimising the time and effort involved in storage and retrieval.
• Bulk material handling equipment is used to transport, store, and control bulk materials in loose form like food, liquid, or minerals. This category includes hoppers, stackers, and reclaimers. These are typically stationary pieces of equipment that are used in industries that process materials/ingredients in bulk
• Transport equipment is used to move materials from one location to another, such as forklifts, pallet trucks, and cranes. These may either be automated or manually operated, and are typically designed to streamline the transport and sorting of loads at higher weights or volumes.
• Engineered/automated handling systems automate the transport of products and materials within the facility, and these include robotic delivery systems, which are commonly used in assembly lines. These are more complicated systems that tend to utilise components from the other categories in an integrated manner for added efficiency.

The most commonly used types of material handling solutions in Singapore’s retail industry are:

• Shelving and racking systems to store, sort, and display products.
• Carts and trolleys for customers to shop or for employees to replenish shelves
• Manual pallet trucks to transport moderate loads within stores or distribution centres.
• Electric pallet trucks and forklifts to transport larger loads in distribution centres or warehouses.

Manual material handling involves the use of manual labour to move products and materials within a warehouse. Manual material handling equipment includes:

• Hand trucks, trolleys, and manual pallet jacks, which allow workers to transport loads within the facility.
• Manual hoists and chain blocks, which are used for lifting and lowering heavy loads.
• Lift tables, which are used to assist with loading and unloading.

When it comes to material handling equipment in Singapore, the main sustainability consideration relates to powered equipment, such as forklifts and certain types of pallet jacks. The more sustainable option in these cases is electric-powered equipment, as opposed to fuel-dependent equipment, as they rely on a renewable energy source. For storage solutions and safety installations, the key sustainability considerations lie in the manufacturing process. The ideal option would be to use materials that can be manufactured at a lower energy cost and disposed of or recycled easily once their lifespan ends. However, in many cases, these products are built to last and do not need to be replaced often, making them a sustainable investment.