Lean SolutionS
Material Handling Specialists Inc. (MHS) is a different kind of material handling company. We offer “One Stop Shop” solutions to help companies achieve their Lean Transformation. Our complete solution includes detailed Equipment Design and Production as well as a full line of Lean Consultative services. MHS is distinct in the way we focus on the customer's specific needs and developing the best product solutions. We are a Lean Manufacturer proponent; we tailor our products to fit into a lean environment. Some examples of our Lean products are Industrial Trailers, Electric Tow Vehicles, Tuggers, Ergonomic Carts, Drum Handling Equipment and Mobile Work Stations. All of which can be modified to accommodate specific needs.
Services
Complimenting our custom Lean products, we also offer a wide array of Lean consultative services to help you achieve a more stream line facility or plant. MHS does this by focusing on 4 aspects of Lean; 1) Flow, 2) Removing Waste, 3) Respect for People, & 4) Continuous Improvement. These 4 aspects, when applied, have seen a 30% or better improvement to their bottom line.
Lean Consultative Services Offered:
- Product Flow Analysis
- Value Stream Analysis & Mapping
- 5 S Programs
- Strategy Deployment
- Kaizen Events
- Kanban
- Total Process Management (TPM)
- SMED
- Onsite Consulting
- Training
Material Handling Specialists Inc. sets ourselves apart from our competitors in two ways: First, we are able to customize virtually any product to fit a company's needs. Second, all of our products are compatible with the Lean Evolution concept. This enables a company to achieve a leaner facility in a shorter amount of time.
Power Transformer Manufacturer: This company wanted to be able to eliminate forklifts and increase the number of transformers that they were able to move to and from the line. By doing this, we provided them with two 5 Ton Trailers that is going to move 4 transformers at a time. This will increase their efficiency by 75% and save over $10,000 per year leasing the forklifts. They will also be able to reallocate the forklift operator in a another area. 
Mobile 2 Bin Line Replenishment System.: In this project we worked with an electronic components company, we increased the amount of product getting to their production line by 45%. We did this by creating a “Supermarket” or central staging area in specific location in the facility. From there we created a 2 Bin system by having a material handler replenish the line with components when the line needed them at a particular time. The material handler would deliver the full bin and pick up the empty to be refilled. In this project they decided to use 1 tugger and 5 trailers with shelving to deliver components 5 times the amount then the way they previously did, which was by pallet and fork lift. They were also able to get inventory off the floor and use the inventory on an as need basis. 
PAPER MILL: To conform to OSHA, MHS supplied this client with four, 15,000 lb. capacity trailers, each equipped with Electric Brakes. Our trailers offered two advantages, 1) increased safety for the employees, and 2) allowed the mill to transport eight, 7000 lb. paper rolls at one time, eliminating 4 to 5 costly forklifts.
NATIONAL MAINTENANCE COMPANY: 
AUTO PARTS MANUFACTURER: MHS supplied six, 8000 lb. capacity custom trailers which they integrated into there parts pick-up and delivery routine. By doing this they eliminated ‘single runs’ with forklifts and reduced the manpower requirements in that area by 66%, freeing personnel to perform additional tasks. They made 2 trains pulling 3 trailers each. By doing this they created a Lean 2 way train system. They were always delivering and picking up parts for their line.
FIBERGLAS FABRICATOR: This fabricator utilized both our tug and trailer systems to transport multiple units of unfinished and finished product from building to building during various stages of manufacturing. This not only condensed there work force, but also allowed them to increase production by adding two product lines. 
PRINTING: They leased another warehouse next door to there plant. In order to get their printed magazines from the plant to the warehouse, they hired a trucking company to ship loads from one place to the other (500 yards). Cost for trucking company: est. $375k/year. We proposed 2 heavy duty Tuggers and 10 covered trailers. They are now able to move (2) 5 trailer trains at a time. One train delivers to the warehouse and the other train picks up at the plant. A Lean 2 train system. Cost for 2 Train System: $148k (1 time cost). 1st year savings: est. $272k