Institute of

Logistics and

Material Handling Systems

Since 1956 the comprehensive subject of materials handling is represented in training and research in Magdeburg. The at that time established principle to view mechanical engineering, steel construction and the design and operation of conveyor systems in an integrated context has been proven and is still valid. Within the field of materials handling the area of construction machinery developed. In 1964 an independent institute with the subareas of construction machinery technics and construction machinery engineering was formed.

At the end the 1960s Prof. Pfeifer and the Head of the Department of Logistics today, Prof. Ziems acknowledged the increasing importance of technological processes, in particular the transport, handling and storage of goods and founded the third area of materials handling:
conveying processes and conveying systems, the today independent Department of Logistics.

With the departments of material handling, construction machinery, steel construction and logistics the consolidated institute IFLS was founded in the year 1993.

The development of the research focuses material handling systems and logistics in the circular flow economy (recycling management) acknowledged the increasing importance of ecological issues with the foundation of an independent workgroup "environment and logistics".

In October 2006 the institute started to operate under the new name of Institute of Logistics and Material Handling Systems - ILM.