First Material Handling & Logistics Research Grant Funded by MHIA

Logistics Insight Asia - Industry News, 9/9/2008

Funds will go toward the establishment of OSU Distribution Ergonomics Research Center.

The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has announced its first direct funding of material handling and logistics research. The $50,000 grant will support Ohio State University (OSU) researchers towards the creation of a research center focused on distribution ergonomics. The research grant is provided by MHIA through its College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE).

Dr. Carolyn Sommerich and Dr. Stephen Lavender of OSU were awarded the grant for their research proposal titled, “Developing a Distribution Ergonomics Research Center.” The specific aims of the proposal are:

To create a research center that develops and evaluates ergonomic methods, tools and processes that will allow distribution center (DC) workers to work more safely and efficiently, and

To develop partnerships between regional DCs and material handling equipment manufacturers to assist the DCs in becoming “workplaces of excellence” via the proper utilization of ergonomics and lean engineering.

MHIA Anticipates Increased Research Funding in 2009
MHIA is committed to the support of material handling and facility logistics research and teaching. As a result, increased funding will be available for funding material handling and logistics research proposals during the 2009-2010 academic year. A call for those proposals will go out in late 2008.

Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), www.mhia.org