In the rapidly evolving world of warehousing and distribution, efficiency is crucial. One of the most impactful strategies to boost productivity and optimize operations is through the use of gravity-fed racks. These systems, which include both pallet and carton gravity flow racks, can boost storage density, accelerate pick speed and cut labor costs.

Understanding Gravity Flow Racks

Gravity flow racks are storage setups designed to use gravity to transport items from the rear of the rack to the face. This configuration makes sure that the first case or pallet added to the back of the rack is the first one to be picked from the face, following the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) stock management method. This approach is particularly advantageous for items that expire, such as perishable goods, medicines, and other spoilage-prone items.

Carton Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also referred to as just flow racks, are well-suited for storing and picking individual items that are usually stored in boxes or bins. These racks consist of slightly sloping shelves equipped with rollers or skate wheels. When a box is placed on the higher side of the shelf, gravity pulls it down to the lower side, where it is readily accessible for picking.

Advantages of Carton Flow Racks

Improved Picking Efficiency: By keeping products organized and readily accessible, carton flow racks greatly cut down on the time employees spend finding items. This leads to accelerated order fulfillment and enhanced throughput.

Maximized Space Usage: Flow racks optimize vertical space, allowing warehouses to pack more products in a smaller footprint. This is particularly beneficial in facilities with limited floor space.

Better Inventory Control: The FIFO system makes sure that the earliest inventory is picked first, minimizing the risk of spoiled or obsolete inventory. This is essential for maintaining product condition and cutting product loss.

Decreased Labor Costs: With products naturally moving to the face of the rack, pickers spend less time walking and more time picking, resulting in lower labor costs and increased efficiency.

Pallet Gravity Flow Racks

Pallet gravity flow racks are engineered for larger, heavier items that are palletized. These systems operate using the same principle as carton flow racks but are constructed to accommodate the heaviness and bulk of pallets. Pallet flow racks include sloping roller tracks that allow pallets to move from the top end to the picking end.

Pallet Flow Rack Benefits

Enhanced Storage Density: Pallet flow racks enable high-density storage by utilizing vertical space and deep lane storage. This is particularly useful for warehouses with high turn rates.

Optimized Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system guarantees that earlier stock is selected first, which is essential for items with expiration dates or those that demand strict inventory control.

Enhanced Safety: By reducing the requirement for forklifts to move through aisles to retrieve pallets, pallet flow racks minimize the chance of accidents and inventory damage.

Labor Savings: Similar to flow racks, pallet gravity flow racks minimize the labor necessary for picking, leading to diminished labor costs and increased operational efficiency.

Speak To A Warehouse Storage Professional

Gravity-assisted racks offer a wide range of advantages for warehouses and DCs. As the demand for speedier and more labor-saving order fulfillment keeps increasing, gravity-fed racks present an ideal solution for warehouse operators that want to remain competitive in the ever-evolving logistics landscape. To find out more about flow racks, consult with a warehouse specialist at Raymond West now.

Raymond West's Boise service center serves most of Idaho, including Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Caldwell, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Post Falls and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Boise Material Handling Equipment Supplier

743 W McGregor Ct #100
Boise, ID 83705
(800) 675-2500