PURPOSE: To improve work efficiency by supporting containers of smaller number than the number of unit stages of rotary shelf on a receiving/delivering transfer machine then moving the transfer machine pitch by pitch and carrying out loading/unloading and receiving/delivering works in parallel.

CONSTITUTION: A container W is waiting above a receiving lifter 22 and receive indexing is started at a rotary shelf unit 2 at specific stage, then a receiving transfer machine 5 is lifted pitch by pitch with two or more containers W being supported in the transfer machine 5 so as to load the container W waiting above the lifter 22 onto supporting tools 9a, 9b. Upon arrival to the specific receiving stage, the container W on the transfer machine 5 is transferred to the rotary shelf unit 2. Delivery work is carried out in reverse sequence through a delivery transfer machine, where transferring works to the transfer machine and a delivery lifter are carried out in parallel. With such arrangement, work efficiency can be improved.