THE HISTORY OF THE SAIMH

Early beginnings

Educational Approach

South African Autonomy

The S A Institute of Materials Handling was first established in 1966 and celebrated it's 37^th anniversary in 2003. The concept of an Institute committed solely to materials handling grew from the realisation that the second world war victories owed as much to factory production and logistics as to physically fighting the ultimate battles.

America had led the way then, with it's greater resources but the time had come to rebuild Europe. Upon their return from the USA, a delegation of British Government officials, business men and trade unionists, with an interest in the merchandising industry, founded the British Institute of Materials Handling in 1952, following a meeting in a London hotel, convened by J R Sharp then MD of Lansing Bagnall.

Some 12 years later, with divisions having already been established in Australia and Commonwealth countries, three enterprising members living in South Africa ( Arthur Walter, Sir William Napier and Jimmy Smith) approached the General Secretary in London with a view to following the same example, and were encouraged by Currie of Thompson Newspapers (S A).

After much correspondence, it was found that there were between 20 and 30 members of the BIMH domiciled in South Africa, 10 of whom responded to a circular to attend a meeting at Kelvin House on December 14, 1965. This resulted in a committee being formed to pursue the formation of a division of the British Institute in S A, which was formally accepted by London on January 6, 1966

Educational Approach

One of the main aims of the Institute is the dissemination of knowledge. A programme of monthly lecture sessions was introduced for members and in 1970 the first public seminar was presented in conjunction with the then NDMF at Benoni, attracting 70 delegates. By this time, the Institute had significantly increased its numbers and was gaining recognition on the Reef. In 1972 an inauguration of a section in Cape Town commenced and was followed shortly thereafter by similar developments in Durban, East Rand, Port Elizabeth, East London and Pretoria. During this period, negotiations were being conducted with the Natal College of Advanced Education for the introduction of a formal three year evening study course of instruction in materials handling and management, which received the approval of the Department of National Education in 1974. Thenceforth, the National Certificate in Materials Administration and National Diploma in Materials Management were available from Technikons in the main centres.

The pressing need for a basic grounding in the general materials handling function was recognised following discussion with the Peninsula Technikon in Cape Town and 1978 saw the first 40 students through a course in Storemanship. This was mainly a practical course and vastly different from the certificate and diploma courses sanctioned by the Department of National Education, which required an entrance qualification. The courses proved so successful that the level of Advanced Diploma in both Warehouse Management and Bulk Solids Handling had been introduced by 1988.

South African Autonomy

The year 1974 was a significant one for many other reasons, not the least being the transfer of full operational and financial control of the Institute from the British organisation. The South African Division became the fully outonomous SAIMH, while retaining affiliation with its mentor. This alone increased the incentive of the membership to succeed and expand its horizons. The national council came into being and the Transvaal Central section took its place as the numerically largest body of members

It was the year when the SAIMH sponsorship of the Materials Handling and Physical Distribution Exhibitions commenced. The forklift driver competitions were taken over from the Materials Handling Association and incorporated as an exhibition feature.

The SAIMH commenced an association with a number of prominent organisations with similar interests, both locally and abroad, the Materials Handling and Management Society of the U S A and Canada and the Irish Institute of Materials Handling being amongst them.

AS THE MILLENIUM IS WELL AHEAD, WE LOOK BACK ON OUR THIRTY SEVEN YEARS OF INSTITUTE ACTIVITY WITH SOME OF THE MILESTONES

Founded in Johannesburg in 1966.

From 1972 to 1977, sections were established in the Western & Eastern Cape, Natal, East Rand and Northern Transvaal.

First President - Mr 'Punch' Barlow - 1976

Most recent President - Dr Keeve Steyn - 1995

Formation of the International Materials Handling Conference (IMHS) in conjunction with the SA Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1979 which covers the "BELTCON" series through to BELTCON 12 Conference held at Mintek Conference Centre, Randburg, from 23^rd to 24^th July 2003.

Introduction of correspondence courses in Materials Handling and Warehousing (1980)

Appointment as an Accredition Authority for the Department of Labour covering lifting machine operators (1992)

Launch of the New National Materials Handling Centre, Crownwood Offices, Ormonde (2001).

First SA National Champion Fortruck operator competes in Sweden and UK (1998)

The most significant event in recent years was the split of the Institute into 2 totally separate operations:

	The South African Institute of Materials Handling (S.A.I.M.H.)
	Logistics Institute of South Africa (L.I.S.A.)

S.A.I.M.H. involved in bulk handling and education.

L.I.S.A. concentrates on the unit handling sector. Including warehousing and logistics.

S.A.I.M.H. offices now located in Meyersdal - Alberton (011 - 867 0902).