Distribution centers re-package manufacturers' product into other packaging so the product will withstand the __________ and movement.

• A. Handling
• B. Storage
• C. Shipping
• D. Inventory

Answer: (A)

Packaging for distribution must endure the real-world stresses of moving goods through the network. In a distribution center, products are picked up, moved onto conveyors, placed on pallets, and transported by forklifts and other equipment. The repackaged packaging needs to withstand these handling actions and the resulting movement, including bumps, drops, and vibrations, so the product isn’t damaged. Storage and inventory relate to time and stock levels, while shipping is a part of movement but the emphasis here is on the immediate physical stresses during handling. This makes handling the best fit for what the packaging must endure.