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

Gravity Flow Racks Explained

Gravity flow racks are storage systems designed to use gravity to transport items from the back of the rack to the face. This configuration guarantees that the first item placed on the rear of the rack is the first one to be picked from the front, complying with the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) stock management method. This strategy is exceptionally useful for goods with expiration dates, such as food items, medicines, and other time-sensitive items.

Carton Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also known as just flow racks, are well-suited for storing and picking smaller items that are typically stored in boxes or totes. These racks include slightly sloping shelves outfitted with roller tracks or skate wheels. When a case is added to the top end of the shelf, gravity pulls it down to the lower end, where it is readily accessible for picking.

Carton Flow Rack Benefits

Enhanced Picking Efficiency: By keeping items systematically arranged and easily accessible, carton flow racks considerably lessen the amount of time that employees spend looking for items. This results in accelerated order fulfillment and enhanced productivity.

Optimized Space Utilization: Carton flow racks optimize vertical space, enabling storage facilities to pack more products in a smaller area. This is particularly advantageous in operations with limited floor space.

Improved Inventory Management: The FIFO system ensures that the oldest inventory is selected first, minimizing the potential of spoiled or obsolete goods. This is essential for preserving product quality and minimizing product loss.

Lower Labor Costs: With products automatically sliding to the front of the rack, employees consume less time walking and more time picking, leading to diminished labor costs and greater efficiency.

Pallet Gravity Flow Racks

Pallet gravity flow racks are designed for larger, heavier goods loaded on pallets. These systems operate using the same principle as case flow racks but are built to accommodate the heaviness and bulk of pallets. Pallet flow racks consist of sloping roller tracks that enable pallets to slide from the top end to the pick face.

Benefits of Pallet Flow Racks

Enhanced Storage Density: Pallet flow racks enable high-density storage by utilizing vertical space and deep lane storage. This is particularly advantageous for storage operations with high turnover ratios.

Improved Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system makes sure that older inventory is selected first, which is essential for products with expiration dates or those that demand rigorous inventory control.

Better Safety: By reducing the need for forklifts to navigate through the warehouse to retrieve pallets, pallet gravity flow racks reduce the chance of collisions and damage to products.

Lower Labor Expenses: Similar to flow racks, pallet flow racks minimize the labor necessary for picking, resulting in more favorable labor expense and increased overall efficiency.

Talk To A Warehouse Storage Expert

Gravity-assisted racks offer a wide range of benefits for warehouses and DCs. As the demand for faster and more streamlined order fulfillment continues to rise, gravity-assisted racks offer an excellent solution for businesses looking to stay competitive in the constantly changing logistics landscape. To learn more about flow racks, speak to a warehouse professional at Raymond West right away.

Raymond West's Fresno facility serves much of the Central Valley, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Lindsay, Hanford, Lemoore, Los Banos, Santa Nella, Dos Palos, Firebaugh, Kettleman City, Coalinga, Avenal, Mendota, Kerman, San Joaquin, and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Fresno Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2935 S Elm Ave #101
Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 264-7500