M.H. – Material Handling

Industry innovations

Dalla 879 alla UltimateSafeChain la stessa affidabilità, ma potenziata

From the 879 to UltimateSafeChain: the same reliability, enhanced

Today’s production lines demand increasingly high standards: higher speeds, lower noise levels, and greater safety.

The historic 879 chain, developed in the late 1980s and established as an industry benchmark, has long proven its strength as a tireless “workhorse” of conveyor lines.

MH Material Handling decided not to settle.

Drawing on nearly forty years of experience and direct, ongoing dialogue with field technicians, USC – UltimateSafeChain was created: an evolution that preserves the robustness of the 879 while integrating with new technologies to meet the real demands of modern industry.

Can something that already works perfectly really be improved?

The strength of the 879 BAT has never been in question: robust, versatile, andlong-lasting, it has earned the trust of operators because it “simply works.”

In particular, tangential drive has proven over time to be the most effective solution for managing LIFO accumulation systems, such as the BAT Buffer, ensuring stability and operational continuity.

However, through extensive field experience and ongoing dialogue with technicians, a key insight emerged: when the foundation is solid, it can be made even safer, quieter, and more efficient.

For this reason, we partnered with Ammeraal Beltech, integrating Safety Finger technology into our new USC chain, a solution already recognized for its strong focus on operator safety.

USC: the reliability you’ve always trusted, even better performance

The new UltimateSafeChain is not a break with the past, but its natural evolution.

It is fully backwards-compatible with existing lines: no system redesign is required—only the chain and sprockets need to be replaced.

The tangible benefits are immediate:

  • Higher operating speeds, increasing productivity without compromising stability.
  • Reduced noise levels, improving operator comfort and supporting compliance with industrial noise regulations.
  • Greater installable length, enabling more flexible and scalable system layouts.
  • Enhanced stability and safety, thanks to the integration of Safety Finger technology, which reduces the risk of accidents and unexpected stoppages.

All of this while preserving what operators already know and value: the reliability of tangential drive, a distinctive feature that continues to deliver top performance in buffering and accumulation systems.

Easy revamping that reduces downtime and hidden costs

One of the most critical aspects of plant modernization is the risk of downtime. Stopping a production line to replace components slows productivity and increases operating costs.

USC was developed with a clear objective: to simplify revamping.

No complex rebuilds, no full replacement projects—just the new chain and the corresponding sprockets are enough to transform an existing system into a more modern, efficient, and safer solution.

This approach fully aligns with the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) perspective: investing in next-generation components helps reduce hidden costs related to extraordinary maintenance, energy consumption, and unplanned downtime.

Why choose MH Material Handling

At MH Material Handling, every innovation is driven by listening to the real needs of industrial systems.

With USC, we chose to preserve what already works—the robustness and tangential drive of the 879 BAT—and enhance it with new technologies that address today’s requirements: higher speed, greater safety, lower noise, and improved efficiency.

This is not an “off-the-shelf” product, but a solution designed to last over time, reduce risk, and simplify the daily work of those who operate and maintain systems.

That is what sets us apart: transforming conveyors from simple components into true drivers of competitiveness for companies.

If the 879 BAT has been a cornerstone for nearly 40 years, USC – UltimateSafeChain marks the beginning of a new chapter: the same reliability, with higher performance.

Would you like to find out whether USC can make your line more efficient and safer without redesigning the system?

Contact us for a personalized consultation: together, we will assess how a simple upgrade can be turned into an immediate advantage.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Saniflex l’Hygienic Design secondo MH Material Handling

Saniflex: Hygienic Design by MH Material Handling

Anyone working with fresh cheese, meat, fish, or ready meals knows how challenging it is to maintain high hygiene standards without compromising production efficiency. In such environments, every detail can make the difference between a high-performing line and a potential risk.

That’s why MH Material Handling developed Saniflex: a conveyor system designed to combine food safety, easy cleaning, and continuous operation.

A solution developed directly in the field, based on real industry needs

Saniflex is not a catalogue product—it’s the result of years of hands-on experience working closely with real food manufacturing environments. In facilities where cleaning must be frequent, thorough, and fast, every component has been designed to simplify sanitation procedures, minimizing time, resource consumption, and contamination risks.

Key features include:

  • open frame with sloped surfaces to prevent water stagnation and support proper drainage;
  • no blind spots, eliminating areas where residues could accumulate;
  • tool-free removable components to ease daily disassembly;
  • polypropylene chain with polyketone pins, highly resistant to common chemical cleaning agents;
  • stainless steel frame in AISI 304 or 316L, with bead-blasted or 2B finish to reduce dirt adhesion and improve cleanability.

Measurable results: less water, fewer stops, higher efficiency

In real-life installations and testing phases, Saniflex has proven to deliver tangible benefits. The system is built to handle frequent cleaning cycles—even several times a day—without hindering productivity.

Key advantages:

  • up to 50% reduction in water and detergent consumption, thanks to faster and simpler cleaning;
  • less downtime, due to quick disassembly and washing;
  • compatible with Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems and monolithic belts like Thermodrive, meeting the requirements of modern production lines.

Saniflex can be seamlessly integrated into both new installations and existing lines. Its modular design allows for high layout customization, addressing space, process, and configuration constraints. Each project is supported by MH’s technical team to ensure optimal integration and performance.

The MH approach: no off-the-shelf solutions, only tailor-made systems

At MH Material Handling, every solution starts from a real need. Saniflex is the perfect example: a system developed for those who don’t want to choose between hygiene and productivity—but demand both. With Saniflex, hygienic design is more than a feature—it’s a real added value.

Want to know if your line meets the highest hygienic standards?

Book a free consultation with MH Scan Solution: together we’ll assess your plant, identify critical points, and propose the best solutions to turn your line into a hygienic, efficient, and compliant system.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Heliflex

HELIFLEX: a unique multipurpose buffer system

If you are looking for a multipurpose buffer system that can be used in different situations, Heliflex is definitely the right solution for you.

Today I decided to focus on its most classical use, i.e. as a ‘simple’ buffering system, from how Heliflex works to the products for which it is most commonly used.

Thanks to both its cylinders rotating in sync, Heliflex is a very cost-effective system: in fact, it enables the buffer of a higher number of items within a smaller space, thanks to its single motor.

If you would like more information on this multipurpose buffer system and would like to find out if it is right for you, do not hesitate to contact us and ask for our MH Scan Solution, an in-depth diagnosis to analyse and optimise your packaging line.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Innovazioni alimentazione pallettizzatori tendenze attuali e futuro

Innovations in Palletizer Feeding: current trends and future

In modern packaging lines, palletizer feeding plays a crucial role in ensuring a continuous and smooth production flow. Although the use of low-pressure accumulation conveyors is now well-established, in recent years we have witnessed a real technological evolution that has redefined operational methods in this field.

From Limited Slip Rollers to Modular Chains

In the past, palletizer feeding was mainly managed through friction rollers. Today, the trend has shifted to the use of modular chains with embedded rollers, which, although requiring a higher initial investment, offer numerous advantages.

Modular chains ensure:

  • Simplified maintenance, maintenance operations faster and more efficient. Time reduced by up to 50%.
  • Better product handling, thanks to the denser pitch of the modular chain’s idle rollers compared to friction rollers, allowing for the handling of smaller products and better preservation of their integrity by reducing specific pressure.
  • Long-term efficiency, as the higher initial investment is widely compensated by operational benefits that translate into reduced maintenance costs over the years.

Aerial Lines: An Increasingly Popular Strategy

Another growing trend in feeding lines is the installation of conveyors on high ground, hanging from the ceiling or supported by columns, a solution previously reserved for large productions but now spreading even to small plants.

This is because the advantages of overhead lines include:

  • Space optimization, as they free up the work floor, allowing for better management of areas in the plant.
  • Better ergonomics, as they facilitate operator movement and increase safety within the plant.
  • Integration with automation, as they allow the use of automated transport systems, further optimizing productivity.

This is another interesting point, as the increasing use of AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) for material handling within plants makes it even more advantageous to have free and well-organized spaces.

Feeding Lines with Automatic Format Change: The New Frontier

In recent years, there has also been an increase in demand for feeding lines with automatic format change, a technology that allows switching from one format to another from the control panel. This is pretty much mandatory for aerial lines, where manual changeovers would be extremely time consuming. This solution has become particularly useful for companies that need to manage an increasingly varied range of products or operate in markets where demand changes rapidly.

Automatic format change allows for:

  • Production flexibility: Minimizes downtime during format changes, ensuring continuous production.
  • Reduction of operational costs: Minimizes manual interventions and optimizes the use of human resources.
  • Increased productivity: The ability to quickly change formats allows for maintaining high production volumes, ensuring superior efficiency.

Advanced Solutions from MH Material Handling to Optimize Your Production

At MH Material Handling, we are dedicated to providing tailored solutions to improve the performance of production lines, integrating innovations such as modular chains and overhead lines. Investing in advanced technologies for palletizer feeding is a strategic choice to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and increase long-term productivity, while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to the challenges of a constantly changing market.

MH Material Handling is by your side to guide you towards more efficient and versatile production. Contact us to find out how we can optimize your feeding line and ensure its future competitiveness.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Come rendere la tua linea di confezionamento efficiente e anche sostenibile

How to make your packaging line efficient and sustainable?

In recent years, sustainability has become a central theme, not only in mass communication but also in industry. However, when people talk about sustainability, often they only think about the environmental aspect, neglecting other equally important factors, such as economic sustainability.

The packaging sector is also following this trend, increasingly resorting to packaging that uses less plastic or innovative, compostable materials. In parallel, another aspect is becoming increasingly important: production efficiency and waste reduction.

In fact, making production more efficient also means making it more sustainable.

Packaging lines, especially in the food industry, are complex systems consisting of numerous machines working in series or in parallel. Although each individual machine can be highly efficient, the overall efficiency of the line inevitably tends to decrease due to inevitable operational discrepancies or short interruptions.

Conveyors, which act as the circulatory system of these lines, can benefit greatly from the integration of a buffer or accumulation system, which helps to recover lost efficiency.

The role of accumulation systems in the sustainability of lines

Accumulation systems, or buffers, within the line are crucial in keeping the production process smooth. For example, when one machine works intermittently while another requires a constant flow, interruptions in the packaging process can occur. Traditionally, these problems have been solved with simple parking conveyors, but idle stops require more sophisticated solutions to manage production efficiently and without waste.

This is where the BAT Buffer from M.H. Material Handling comes in, an innovative accumulation system that meets these requirements perfectly. At FachPack, we will be presenting an updated version of our BAT Buffer, the result of years of experimentation and valuable feedback from our customers, making it the ideal solution today to ensure smooth, waste-free production.

BAT Buffer: M.H. Material Handling’s solution for efficient and sustainable packaging

The BAT Buffer is a flexible storage system with a configurable structure in anodised aluminium or AISI 304 stainless steel, designed to fit a wide range of products. This spiral device offers up to 150 metres of buffering space using only one motor, a feature that makes it highly efficient in terms of energy and space consumption.

The system is composed of spirals with straight sections varying in length between 2.5 and 6 metres and curves with an average radius of 200 mm, thus minimising the cross section. The technology behind the BAT Buffer allows it to operate with LIFO (Last In, First Out) logic: when downstream machines stop, products are temporarily stored in the buffer. The movement of the chain, controlled by an inverter and a photocell, allows the products to be placed in the buffer without them coming into contact with each other, maintaining zero pressure and preventing damage.

Benefits of the BAT Buffer: efficiency, waste reduction and sustainability

One of the distinguishing features of the BAT Buffer is its ability to manage the flow of products extremely efficiently. When downstream machines come back into operation or in the event of an upstream production stoppage, the buffer can reverse direction and start unloading products. A merging system allows products from the buffer to be mixed with the normal production flow, thus eliminating end-of-shift losses. This process is particularly advantageous for sectors such as bakery products, confectionery, coffee and many others.

Conclusion

In an increasingly sustainability-oriented industrial environment, the BAT Buffer from M.H. Material Handling is an ideal solution for food companies seeking to combine production efficiency and environmental sustainability. With its ability to reduce waste and optimise the production flow, the BAT Buffer not only improves the efficiency of packaging lines, but also contributes to a more sustainable future for the food packaging industry.

M.H. Material Handling will be present at FachPack 2024, Hall 7A, Stand 757, to present the BAT Buffer and other innovative solutions. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how to improve the sustainability and efficiency of your packaging line!

Take your free ticket and come to FachPack 2024
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Il futuro della competitività passa dall’efficienza della propria linea di confezionamento

The future of competitiveness depends on the efficiency of your packaging line

It already works well as it is… do we really need to change?

This is the question many plant managers ask themselves when they look at their packaging line.

If the machines are running, orders are being fulfilled, and production continues, why intervene in something that appears to be working?

The truth is that “working” does not always mean “working at its best.”

A small bottleneck, an unexpected buildup, one manual step too many: details that often go unnoticed, yet over time erode productivity, margins, and delivery reliability.

Today, the efficiency of a line is not determined by the power of individual machines, but by the ability to integrate and harmonize every component into a balanced, seamless flow.

Conveyors: the circulatory system of the line

Just as blood carries oxygen through the body, conveyors represent the circulatory system of a packaging line.

They are responsible for synchronizing machinery, absorbing fluctuations, and preventing bottlenecks.

If the flow is not continuous and well balanced, even the most advanced machine loses its effectiveness and the risk of downtime increases.

Yet these systems are often underestimated already at the design stage, resulting in inefficiencies that are difficult to correct later on.

Different solutions for different needs

At M.H. Material Handling, we know that no two lines are the same. That is why our solutions are designed to adapt to very different products, spaces, and processes.

Heliflex LIFO Spiral System

Ideal for large product accumulation with heights not exceeding 90 mm. This double-spiral system finds its optimal sizing with between 200 and 500 meters of available space.

BAT-Buffer Modular System

Modular and compact, it is perfect for handling different product types and plant layouts. It is versatile, easy to integrate into existing lines, and has relatively limited footprint requirements. Its ideal size ranges between 100 and 150 meters of available space.

5L FIFO Multilayer Belt

Developed specifically for the confectionery sector, it enables gentle multilane transport upstream of the packaging stations, reducing the risk of product damage.

These solutions are complemented by mergers, dividers, elevators, and intelligent handling units, all designed to ensure increasingly smooth and fully integrated material flows.

Efficiency is much more than speed

Being efficient today does not simply mean “running faster.”

It means designing ergonomic lines that are easy to clean, hygienic, and capable of making the most of the available space.

It means having systems that reduce downtime, optimize energy consumption, and ensure a long-term return on investment.

Our solutions, entirely made in Italy, reflect these values: they are reliable, customized, and built to last.

With nearly forty years of experience in the food and pharma sectors, at M.H. Material Handling we do more than supply individual components.

We always start with layout consulting, analyze material flows, and develop integrated conveying and buffering solutions that transform plants into efficient and competitive ecosystems.

Our goal is simple: to help companies increase productivity and stability while reducing complexity and hidden costs.

If your line “already works well,” ask yourself: is it really expressing its full potential?

A custom-designed conveying system can make the difference between a line that merely runs and one that grows.

Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how to make your plant more fluid, safe, and efficient—without disruptive changes.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Cosa succede quando il nastro trasportatore non è quello giusto

What happens when the conveyor isn’t the right one?

At first glance, it may seem like a small detail, just a component connecting one machine to another, nothing more.

In reality, the conveyor is the heart of the line: efficiency, hygiene, safety, and ultimately the quality of the product reaching the consumer all depend on it.

Yet too often, its selection is underestimated, as if one belt were as good as another. But that’s not the case.

Each application is different, every product has its own characteristics, and each plant has its own criticalities.

Treating the conveyor as a “standard” element means opening the door to unexpected downtimes, contamination, waste, safety issues, and hidden costs that grow over time.

A significant share of line stops doesn’t stem from mechanical failures but from synchronization and accumulation problems, a clear sign that conveyors impact production continuity much more than people think.

When the product is “naked” fresh or dry is not enough

Talking about “naked” products means addressing very different worlds. A dry croissant is not the same as a honey-covered bar, just as a filled cake slice cannot be compared to a cracker.

In the fresh sector, hygiene is paramount. Belts must be washable, cavity-free and easy to sanitize. Belts with internal fabric layers are not suitable: if the fabric emerges, it becomes impossible to clean properly.

That’s why monolithic belts are used, more rigid and less flexible, but capable of ensuring the highest hygienic standards.

In the dry sector, the range is broader: brittle products such as biscuits or crackers fit well on modular chain conveyors, which allow easy removal of crumbs.

But when coatings, creams, or jams come into play, PU belts are required, surfaces that can be scraped clean without damaging the belt.

Each product type therefore requires a targeted evaluation.

Packaged products, but where in the line?

Even a packaged product raises specific questions: is it located in a white zone or a grey zone? Does it require washdown capability or not?

Are high speeds, tight transfers, or low noise levels needed?

In general:

  • The tabletop chain conveyor is ideal for heavy loads, high speeds, and complex layouts.
  • The modular chain conveyor offers greater flexibility and smaller wrap diameters, but it’s less robust, has wider curve radii, and requires more maintenance attention.

If we’re in a washdown area, the structure matters too: at least the legs must be in stainless steel, if not the entire frame.

The choice, therefore, concerns not only the belt, but the whole operational context.

The invisible factors that make the difference

Beyond product features and packaging type, there are less visible but decisive variables:

Belt position

On the floor or overhead?

Overhead systems prioritize robustness, since maintenance interventions are more complex.

On-floor conveyors, instead, prioritize operator safety, requiring reduced-pitch chains to minimize risk.

Maintenance

How often will the belt need to be serviced? High frequency calls for easily removable and sanitizable designs.

Format variety

If the line handles multiple product types, flexible and adaptable systems are essential.

Finally, one basic principle must not be forgotten: machines never work in perfect synchronization. That’s why accumulation systems (buffers) are necessary to guarantee continuity and prevent line stops.

At M.H. Material Handling, we know these complexities well. For nearly forty years, we have been designing tailor-made conveyors for every type of line, product, and requirement – from fresh to packaged good.

Our solutions always start from listening: we don’t begin with a standard catalog, but with a real customer problem.

Whether it’s about handling a delicate product, freeing up floor space for operators, or optimizing flows in limited spaces, every project is co-designed together with the customer.

From the washdown SaniFlex line to the BAT system with USC chain, up to the ModulFlex conveyors with modular chains ,each technological choice follows a clear logic: transforming daily challenges into efficient, safe, and long-lasting solutions.

For us, automation doesn’t mean selling a machine, it means designing together the right answer to a real need.

Want to understand which solution best fits your line?

Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how to make your system smoother, safer, and more efficient.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Migliora la produttività sulla tua linea di confezionamento

Improve Productivity on Your Packaging Line

Increasing the performance and efficiency of your production line often requires a significant investment in both money and space.

However, there are aspects of your packaging line that can be optimized to make the most of the available space and boost productivity — all while staying within your planned budget.

Streamlining the product flow through your packaging process allows you to enhance the productivity of your entire production line. With the right solution, you can achieve this while respecting space constraints and maintaining sustainable costs.

If you want to find out which solutions best suit your needs, contact us and request our MH Scan Solution service: we will analyze your packaging line to identify how to refine and optimize your production setup.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Hygienic Design da semplice esigenza a requisito strategico per l’industria alimentare

Hygienic Design: From Basic Need to Strategic Asset in the Food Industry

In the food industry, hygiene isn’t just good practice—it’s an essential requirement for ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

But is designing machines that are “easy to clean” really enough?

The answer is no.

Preventing contamination and protecting the end consumer requires a much more advanced, structured, and systematic approach.

That’s why today we’re talking about Hygienic Design: a set of construction criteria, design choices, and specific materials developed to eliminate risk areas, simplify sanitation, and guarantee the highest standards in food safety.

Hygienic Design in the Spotlight: Why It’s Transforming Food Production

In recent years, tighter regulations and a growing focus on food safety have brought Hygienic Design to center stage.

Food manufacturers are dealing with increasingly automated processes—and maintaining high hygiene standards throughout the entire line, including the most complex phases like internal transport and handling, is now a top priority.

Key challenges include:

  • Preventing cross-contamination, both microbiological and chemical.
  • Ensuring fast and effective cleaning of every product-contact surface.
  • Reducing water and detergent consumption to meet both sustainability goals and cost control.
  • Complying with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) guidelines, now a benchmark across the European industry.

Hygienic Design Is More Than Just Stainless Steel

Many think Hygienic Design simply means using stainless steel—but that’s only part of the story.

A proper approach starts with material selection but extends to surface geometry, accessibility for cleaning, the absence of gaps and stagnation areas, and tool-free disassembly of washable components.

Among the most common materials, AISI 304 stainless steel with bead-blasted or 2B finishes is standard for frames and load-bearing structures.

But plastic materials also play a key role. For instance, M.H.’s Saniflex system uses polypropylene chains with polyketone pins—highly resistant to the chemical agents used during sanitation.

Saniflex: Designing Hygiene with No Compromise

M.H. Material Handling developed the Saniflex system specifically to meet the toughest requirements of the food industry, particularly in dairy production.

In these environments—where processing fresh and packaged cheese demands absolute cleanliness—standard solutions simply aren’t enough.

Saniflex stands out thanks to:

  • Fully open frame design that prevents build-up and supports efficient drainage.
  • Tool-free removable components for fast and easy daily or deep cleaning.
  • Chains resistant to aggressive detergents but fully compliant with food-grade regulations.
  • Reduction in water and detergent use compared to traditional systems.

The result?

A solution that enhances productivity, guarantees hygienic safety, and supports environmental sustainability targets.

Invisible Contamination: The “Forever Chemicals” Risk

Hygienic Design isn’t just about bacteria and mold.

Today, manufacturers must also consider chemical contamination from persistent substances like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals.” These may come from the environment, industrial coatings, or even the detergents used on production lines.

Designing equipment that’s easy to clean also means reducing surface exposure to these chemicals.

With Saniflex, manufacturers can:

  • Reduce washing cycles.
  • Use gentler, less aggressive detergents.
  • Minimize the risk of transferring harmful substances onto the product.

When Hygienic Design Becomes a Competitive Advantage

Hygienic Design is a strategic investment that brings measurable benefits:

  • shorter downtimes,
  • longer equipment lifespan,
  • lower cleaning costs,
  • stronger food safety,
  • regulatory compliance.

At M.H. Material Handling, these principles are a cornerstone of our engineering.

With solutions like Saniflex, we combine technological innovation, operational efficiency, and full adherence to the strictest international guidelines.

Wondering if your production line meets today’s hygiene standards?

Book a free consultation with our experts via our MH Scan Solution service: we’ll assess your system’s critical points and show you how to optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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Perché la ricerca di sostenibilità nel packaging alimentare sta cambiando il nostro modo di lavorare MH

Sustainability in food packaging: how to keep up?

Switching to sustainable packaging is never easy: it requires time, investment, and careful planning.

One aspect that is often underestimated is the adaptation of conveying systems: without modern solutions, you risk ending up with innovative packaging but a slower and less efficient production process.

At MH, we are constantly committed to supporting you in making your packaging more sustainable. In particular, for the conveying part we offer solutions such as the Magic Sorter or the Intralox END system, both ideal for handling the new types of sustainable packaging.

In addition, with our MH Scan Solution – an in-depth analysis service of your packaging line – we help you optimize the production layout with a view to sustainable packaging.

Contact us to discover how to get your line ready for change.

Improve the efficiency of your packaging line with our MH Scan Solution
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