From wikiMHEDA
Industry History
Material handling and logistics, as defined by the Material Handling Industry of America, is the movement, protection, storage and control of materials and products throughout the process of their manufacture and distribution, consumption and disposal.
The modern roots of the industry can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century. From then until the early 20th century, developments were made that led to today’s modern forklifts. Railroad construction led to battery-powered platform trucks, and World War I saw the creation of several different types of material handling equipment in Europe. In 1917, the first lift trucks in the United States were manufactured, and the industry soon began to take off.
During World War II, as production of equipment and artillery increased, material handling grew as well. Transport, storage and handling of goods became paramount as the nation and world became more industrialized. Since that time, new innovations and technology have helped material handling grow into a $150 billion industry.
Click the links below to read acticles that provide more specific information on storage & handling, casters, conveyors & engineered systems, pallets, lift trucks, batteries and general lines.
Storage & HandlingIndustrial Casters
Conveyors & Engineered Systems
Pallets
Lift Trucks
Batteries
General Lines
The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the only trade association dedicated solely to improving the proficiency of the independent material handling equipment distributor. Founded in 1954, MHEDA represents all segments of the material handling industry and offers industry-specific business training and resources to help maintain and strengthen material handling companies.
For more information about the history of the association, please click here to read an article from MHEDA's magazine, The MHEDA Journal.
