Internal transport systems in the warehouse and production hall

One industrial company was dealing with something that didn’t seem like a problem at first glance. There was a huge number of orders, and as a result, production was growing rapidly—so much so that warehouses and halls were filled to the brim with goods. But this meant that employees were spending more and more time manually moving, transporting, and arranging products. Eventually, this led to major delays, fatigue, errors, and rising costs.

It wasn’t until the company invested in an internal transport system that things changed. Bottlenecks disappeared, most processes were automated, and the time needed to fulfill orders dropped significantly. Work became lighter and safer for employees.

Stories like this are becoming increasingly common in production facilities. Internal transport systems are invaluable when it comes to a company’s growth. Could they benefit your business too?

Internal transport equipment in warehouses and production halls – a future-proof investment

What exactly are internal transport systems? These are machines, devices, and software that automate the safe and efficient movement of raw materials, semi-finished, and finished products within a warehouse or production hall.

Internal transport systems support every stage of goods flow—from receipt to shipment. What are the benefits?

Faster operations – they ensure smooth material flow between production or distribution stages.
Cost reduction – they minimize the need for manual labor, so there’s no need to hire additional staff.
Improved safety – they reduce the risk of accidents related to manual handling of heavy loads.
Process automation – they integrate with WMS systems, enabling full logistics process integration.

You can think of internal transport systems as highways. They replace narrow, winding roads—making the journey faster, safer, and more predictable.

What devices make up an internal transport system?

Among the most efficient devices are stacker cranes, conveyors, trolleys, and lifts.

Warehouse stacker cranes

A stacker crane is the core component of an ASRS system - it automatically stores and retrieves goods. It can handle various types of loads, from pallets and boards to spools and tires. This enables more efficient space usage and faster goods handling, reducing errors and simplifying work.

Example: An e-commerce company storing over 50,000 SKUs implemented stacker cranes. This reduced order picking time by 40% and warehouse space usage by 30%, as goods could be stored higher and more densely. The result was thousands in annual savings.

Warehouse conveyors

These internal transport systems automatically move goods between different zones in a warehouse or hall. Roller conveyors are used for boxes and pallets, belt or chain conveyors for other types of loads. They’re often equipped with turntables and crossings to change direction without stopping the process. Conveyors significantly reduce manual transport and multiply the speed of daily operations.

Example: A Polish automotive parts manufacturer implemented a network of roller and belt conveyors connecting production halls with the finished goods warehouse. Previously, component transport required numerous forklift trips. After implementation, internal transport costs fell by 25%, and forklift-related accidents dropped nearly to zero.

Warehouse lifts

The height of a warehouse is often an untapped asset. Automated warehouse lifts solve this issue by enabling vertical storage and transport between levels.

Example: An electronics distributor installed warehouse lifts in its logistics center. Order picking speed increased by 35%, and smart use of vertical space allowed for more storage without expanding the facility—saving millions in rental or construction costs.

Transport trolleys and AGVs

Autonomous vehicles (AGV and AMR) are gaining importance in industry. They move independently around facilities, delivering goods where needed—without drivers.

Example: A home appliance manufacturer implemented a fleet of AGV trolleys that delivered components from the warehouse to the assembly line. This allowed staff to focus on skilled work. Transport operated 24/7, without interruptions. The result? A 20% increase in productivity.

Also read: High-bay warehouse automation – when, for whom, and why it pays off

Internal transport systems – savings and safety

A well-designed and planned internal transport system brings many tangible benefits:

Time – automation speeds up every stage of warehouse and production processes.
Safety – less manual transport = fewer accidents and reduced injury risk.
Savings – while the initial investment may seem costly, it pays off over time through reduced operational expenses—leading to potential million-level savings.
Scalability – systems can be expanded and tailored to support company growth.

Internal transport systems are becoming the backbone of modern enterprises. At MPL Techma, we help you implement these systems—our stacker cranes optimize space, our conveyors create smooth product flow paths, and our shuttle carts help prevent workplace accidents. We’ll advise on the best equipment to help you save millions—because costly complaints, mistakes, or delays are best avoided.

FAQ – internal transport systems

1. What are internal transport systems?

An internal transport system is a set of equipment and software that automates transport processes within a warehouse or production hall. It facilitates the movement of loads between storage racks, production lines, and picking zones. This includes warehouse, production, and vertical transport (e.g., lifts, hoists). These systems improve goods flow and increase efficiency.

2. What are the benefits of implementing an internal transport system?

It enhances the efficiency and productivity of transport processes. It reduces the need for manual pallet jacks and operator labor, limits errors and accidents, and allows better space utilization with high-bay racking. It also supports inventory management optimization and boosts competitiveness.

3. What devices are part of internal transport systems?

Automated systems typically include:

roller, bucket, and belt conveyors – for flow transport between zones,
pallet stacker cranes, dedicated racking, and shelving systems – for storage support,
lifts and hoists – for vertical transport,
pallet jacks, forklift trucks, and autonomous vehicles (AGV/AMR/LGV) – for close-range transport.

4. Are internal transport systems suitable for every industry?

Yes. Automated intralogistics systems are used in warehouses and production halls across e-commerce, home appliances, automotive, and distribution sectors. They support pallet, box, and non-standard carrier storage facilities.

5. How is integration with existing processes handled?

Transport systems can be designed to match the layout of your facility, corridors, and logistics processes. Transport devices—from roller conveyors to fork-equipped vehicles—integrate with pallet racks and communicate with IT systems (WMS, ERP, WCS-WMS, SCADA, PLC), supporting optimized inventory management.

6. Can internal transport systems be expanded in the future?

Yes. These systems are scalable—you can start with autonomous pallet jacks and later add flow conveyors, ASRS systems, and autonomous vehicles. This ensures that every stage of company growth is supported by improved efficiency and safer warehouse and transport processes.