What do we call equipment, processed materials, or cash used in the production process?

The term for equipment, processed materials, or cash used in the production process is referred to as capital resources. Capital resources are essential assets that help in the creation of goods and services. This category includes machinery, tools, buildings, and financial means that a business utilizes to produce products or deliver services.

In any production environment, capital resources enable efficiency and capability to scale operations. They are distinct from other types of resources like labor resources, which refer to human effort used in the production process, or natural resources, which consist of raw materials obtained from nature. Financial resources, while crucial for funding operations, do not themselves contribute directly to the production process but instead serve as a means to acquire or maintain capital resources. Therefore, capital resources are the appropriate classification for the equipment and materials involved in production activities.