Material movements throughout the supply chain
The movements of materials occurs at every stage of a company's supply chain, from manufacturing to distribution.
Let's take a brief look at this supply chain.
1. Manufacturing
In manufacturing, you must move and handle inbound goods and finished goods within your factory and storage space.
2. Transportation
The manufacturer will deliver the product to the wholesaler or internal warehouse. The products need to be handled and set up into units (perhaps on pallets) for easy transportation.
3. Storage and warehousing
Products need to be unloaded safely and efficiently and moved within the warehouse to different storage racks or shelves so that they can be stored until needed by the supplier or retailer.
4. Distribution
Materials will be distributed to the retailer or customer and must be packaged and assembled into transportable units and loaded onto trucks.

Basic equipment for material handling during transportation and warehousing
The transportation of goods over short distances (whether by transporters, warehouses or distributors) requires a great deal of material handling equipment, vehicles, and even automated systems.
Forklifts and stacker
The typical vehicle used for handling may be a forklift or a stacker crane.

Pallets and Packaging
Pallets and other packaging keep products safe and easy to transport, allowing your employees to move heavy products on pallet jacks or casters.

Tractors

Tow tractors are warehouse machines that handle various materials. They are usually used for transporting raw materials in warehouses and pallets of other goods. Other than using tow tractors for work in warehouses, they can also be used in locations such as airports for moving cargo and baggage as well as to pull out the aircraft when it is preparing to depart.

Robots
From automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to sorting robots, computer-powered machines are becoming an important part of warehousing and material handling. Increasingly, automation is being used.