This paper describes a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the problem of optimal facilities layout in manufacturing
systems design so that material-handling costs are minimized. The paper considers the various material flow
patterns of manufacturing environments of flow shop layout, flow-line layout (single line) with multi-products,
multi-line layout, semi-circular and loop layout. The effectiveness of the GA approach is evaluated with numerical
examples. The cost performance is compared with other approaches. The results show the effectiveness of the GA
approach as a tool to solve problems in facilities layout.