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

What Are Gravity Flow Racks?

Gravity-fed racks are storage systems designed to use gravity to move products from the back of the rack to the face. This design makes sure that the first case or pallet added to the back of the rack is the first item to be picked from the face, complying with the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory system. This method is particularly useful for items with expiration dates, such as food items, medicines, and other date-sensitive products.

Carton Flow Racks

Carton flow racks, also known as gravity flow racks, are well-suited for storing and picking individual products that are typically stored in boxes or bins. These racks consist of slightly declined shelves configured with rollers or skate wheels. When a case is added to the higher end of the shelf, gravity slides it down to the bottom side, where it is easily accessible for picking.

Benefits of Carton Flow Racks

Better Picking Efficiency: By keeping products organized and readily accessible, case flow racks greatly cut down on the amount of time that workers spend looking for items. This translates to faster order fulfillment and increased throughput.

Optimized Space Utilization: Case flow racks maximize vertical space, allowing warehouse operations to pack more inventory in a reduced footprint. This is especially useful in operations with limited floor space.

Improved Inventory Management: The FIFO system ensures that the earliest stock is picked first, minimizing the risk of outdated or obsolete products. This is crucial for preserving product condition and cutting product loss.

Reduced Labor Costs: With products automatically moving to the front of the rack, employees spend less time traveling and more time picking, resulting in diminished labor costs and greater efficiency.

Pallet Gravity Flow Racks

Pallet gravity flow racks are set up for bulkier, heavier products packed on pallets. These systems operate using the same idea as carton flow racks but are constructed to accommodate the weight and size of pallets. Pallet flow racks consist of sloping roller beds that permit pallets to glide from the top end to the pick face.

Benefits of Pallet Flow Racks

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

Efficient Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system makes sure that the first added inventory is selected first, which is crucial for products that expire or those that demand rigid inventory control.

Enhanced Safety: By cutting down on the requirement for forklifts to navigate through the facility to pick up pallets, pallet flow racks lower the chance of accidents and damage to products.

Lower Labor Expenses: Similar to case flow racks, pallet flow racks minimize the time and effort necessary for picking, resulting in diminished labor costs and increased overall productivity.

Speak To A Warehouse Storage Professional

Gravity flow racks offer a wide range of advantages for warehouses and DCs. As the market for faster and more streamlined order fulfillment continues to grow, gravity-assisted racks offer an excellent solution for operations that want to stay competitive in the rapidly moving logistics landscape. To get more information on flow racks, consult with a warehouse specialist at Raymond West right away.

Raymond West's Fremont facility serves all of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Richmond, Vallejo, Concord, Pleasanton, Livermore and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | San Francisco Bay Area Material Handling Equipment Supplier

41400 Boyce Rd
Fremont, CA 94538
(800) 675-2500