Expressed in simple language, materials handling is loading, moving and unloading of materials. To do it safely and economically, different types of tackles, gadgets and equipment are used. Since primitive men discovered the use of wheels and levers, they have been moving materials mechanically. Any human activity involving materials need materials handling. However, in the field of engineering and technology, the term materials handling is used with reference to industrial activity. In any industry, be it big or small, involving manufacturing or construction type work, materials have to be handled as raw materials, intermediate goods or finished products from the point of receipt and storage of raw materials, through production processes and up to finished goods storage and dispatch points.

Material handling is not a production process and hence does not add to the value of the product. It also costs money; therefore it should be eliminated or at least reduced as much as possible. However, the important point in favor of materials handling is that it helps production. Depending on the weight, volume and throughput of materials, mechanical handling of materials may become unavoidable. In many cases, mechanical handling reduces the cost of manual handling of materials, where such material handling is highly desirable. All these facts indicate that the type and extent of use of materials handling should be carefully designed to suit the application and which becomes cost effective..