Sometimes an idea that is just okay to some people is great in the eyes of others.

Take Dean Kamen's new scooter. Long before he introduced it with extraordinary media hoopla, the Segway was billed as bigger than the Internet. When Kamen finally unveiled the scooter, he declared it will do to the car what the car did to the horse and buggy. Most people have their doubts about both claims.

But the Segway may still turn out to be a great idea for the plant and warehouse. As our Bob Trebilcock found out researching the scooter, several warehouses are ready for trials. The news story (Scootin' in the warehouse ) explains that several of Kamen's business partners are going to take the scooter out for a spin and see if it improves their operations. We'll let you know if the Segway goes anywhere, literally and figuratively.

While the jury is out on the Segway, it is not on the story about 50 great ideas for materials handling (Fifty great ideas for materials handling ). Offered by four materials handling consultants, these ideas have all been used at one time or another to solve problems, save money, create new efficiencies, and promote greater throughput.

While compiling the story, Senior Editor Dave Maloney made a couple of discoveries.

To begin, there are a lot more than 50 great materials handling ideas out there. He had to make some tough choices when editing the story.

Dave also found that there's a certain amount of common sense to these ideas that may not always be so common. Take idea #17 – "Try to plan workplaces to eliminate 180-degree turns. This will reduce worker effort and the risk of injury." It almost sounds self-evident. But then again there are probably a lot more 180-degree turns being made out there than people care to admit.

As we all know, consultants don't have a corner on the market of great ideas. As a result, we are setting aside at mmh.com a special section for you to submit your own. We're looking for proven materials handling ideas in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution that you want to share with others who might be faced with the same predicaments. You should be able to summarize it in a sentence or two, including the benefits you now enjoy from implementation. Then we'll make them available to others on mmh.com. Thanks in advance for your great ideas. We know you're full of them.

 Send us your great materials handling ideas!