Editing Distribution center (section)

===Storage locations and storage containers===
[[File:FEMA - 37931 - Meals Ready to Eat being moved by fork lift in a Texas warehouse.jpg|thumb|A fork lift truck moves stacked pallets]]
Goods (products) arrive and are stored in a distribution center in varying types of storage locations and containers suited to the product characteristics and the amount of product to be transported or stored. These types of locations and containers have specific industry-accepted names. Specialized pieces of equipment (material handling equipment, or MHE) are used to handle the various types of containers. The following is a list of some of the names and characteristics of common storage containers:
*[[Intermodal container]]s (shipping containers) are used for the efficient transportation of goods. Standards specify the volume and dimensions of containers to facilitate efficient handling.
*[[Pallet]]s are one of the most commonly used means to store and move product in a distribution center. There are many specialized devices (material handling equipment or MHE) used to handle pallets - see [[forklift truck]], [[pallet jack]], [[pallet inverters|pallet inverter]], and [[unit load]] .....[[Automated Storage and Retrieval System]]s (ASRS). Pallets are stored on the floor, may be stacked, and may be stored in [[pallet racking]].
*[[Bulk Box (container)|Bulk Box]] are large single boxes usually connected or attached to a pallet.
*[[Case (goods)|Cases and Cartons]] are [[Corrugated fiberboard|boxes]] usually containing many items. In distribution centers there is a generally accepted distinction made between the terms "carton" and "case", although both are boxes. Goods are received and stored in cartons, while goods are shipped in cases. A stored carton is called a case once it has been picked or pulled for shipment.
*Totes are reusable containers used to hold and transport goods.