What is Segregation?
“segregation” means separating or dividing into different groups, classes, or kinds. The word comes from the Latin sēgregāre, meaning to separate.
In a business context, segregation refers to separating customers based on their buying behaviour and demographics. For example, you may segregate your customer base by age group (baby boomers vs millennials), location (urban vs suburban) or income level (high-income earners vs low-income earners).
What is Material Segregation?
Material segregation is the process of dividing material items into distinct categories. For example, you might want to segregate good items and bad items.
If, during manufacturing or the receipt inspection, an item was found to have a defect, you would want to keep it separate (quarantine). That way, if the product needs to be returned to the supplier, you know which products need to be returned.
In addition, you might want to segregate material based on the material property. For example, you want to keep Carbon Steel pipes separate from Stainless Steel pipes. That ensures that you do not use the wrong material inadvertently.
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Benefits of Material Segregation
There are several benefits of segregating material items. Some of these include:
• Productivity – When you segregate materials, it helps you avoid mistakes when processing materials.
• Avoids Material Mixup – By keeping your inventory segregated, you can ensure that there is no confusion between different types of goods. This prevents material mixups. If you accidentally put carbon steel in with stainless steel parts, it could result in damage to both your equipment and your reputation.
• Keeps Inventory Organized – Keeping materials separated allows for better organization and control over your space. You will get a clear picture of where your inventory is located so that you can better manage it.
• Improves Safety – It is important to segregate hazardous materials such as acids, chemicals, explosives, etc. Otherwise, they could be mishandled and cause harm to people and equipment.