AHP based fuzzy UTASTAR approach: Application of material handling equipment selection

Material handling system is a system which transfer material from one location to another location or store material in a storage. Correct quantity, right time and minimum cost are the main aim of the material handling system. Material handling equipment is a major part in material handling system. If designing the whole material handling system is the main problem, then choosing the right equipment is one of the biggest sub problems. Companies pay special attention to choose material handling equipment and aim to select material handling equipment which is proper with processes. Choosing the appropriate material handling equipment positively affects the efficiency of handling the materials in production facilities. Delays in production, high lead times, defects and high production costs might be associated with unsuitable material handling systems. In this study, a project-based company's material handling system revaluated and selected material handling equipment. According to company's need and requests, mobile crane is used as material handling equipment. Many of the approaches to equipment selection problem focuses on multi criteria decision making methods, knowledge-based systems or analytic methods or the combination of these approaches. This study applies scoring type (AHP) method and a utility additive type (UTASTAR) method to crane selection problem for a project-based firm. Potential alternatives and the criteria are determined using decision maker's opinions and preferences are obtained. Fuzzy logic is also added to methods.