Abstract: An automatic material handling system includes two or more vertically extending staging structures (10) incorporating a plurality of shelving surfaces (24) arranged in rows in respective staging structures for accommodating transport pallets or like goods carriers. The system also includes a loading station (15) and an input/output station (16) for serving a machine tool. The aforementioned three system auxiliaries are placed in a row along a track (14) with a movable a carriage structure (12). The carriage structure includes a load carrier (26) having load-support surfaces which while overlapping the shelving surfaces (24) are able to pass vertically therethrough. A compact system requiring the least possible floor space is thus provided. In addition, the system can be suitably controlled by a computer, so as to obtain a fully automatic material handling system.