Glossar

Material flow refers to the movement of materials, goods, or merchandise within and between logistics and industrial processes. It encompasses all transportation, storage, handling, and staging operations from goods receipt to goods shipment.

An efficient material flow is crucial for short lead times, low process costs, and high delivery reliability. Conveyor systems, automated warehouses, sensor technology, and digital control systems ensure that materials are available at the right place and at the right time. The continuous collection of process data enables transparent monitoring and ongoing optimization of material movements.

Practical example:
In a manufacturing facility, conveyor systems automatically transport components between receiving, production, and shipping, ensuring an uninterrupted material flow.

See also: Automation technology, Conveyor technology, Goods flow, Intralogistics, Logistics automation, Transportation technology, Warehouse, Warehouse Management System (WMS)