In the rapidly evolving world of warehousing and distribution, efficiency is absolutely critical. One of the most effective ways to enhance productivity and optimize operations is through the use of gravity-assisted racks. These systems, which include both pallet and carton gravity flow racks, can enhance storage density, improve pick speed and reduce labor costs.

Understanding Gravity Flow Racks

Gravity-assisted racks are storage solutions designed to use gravity to transport items from the rear of the rack to the front. This configuration ensures that the first item placed on the rear of the system is the first one to be picked from the front, complying with the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory system. This strategy is exceptionally beneficial for goods with expiration dates, such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other spoilage-prone items.

Case Flow Racks

Carton flow racks, also known as gravity flow racks, are well-suited for picking and storing smaller goods that are typically stored in boxes or bins. These racks consist of slightly sloping shelves equipped with roller tracks or skate wheels. When a carton is positioned on the top side of the shelf, gravity pulls it down to the bottom side, where it is readily accessible for picking.

Benefits of Carton Flow Racks

Improved Picking Efficiency: By keeping items well-organized and conveniently accessible, case flow racks greatly cut down on the amount of time that workers spend searching for items. This leads to quicker order fulfillment and enhanced productivity.

Optimized Space Utilization: Flow racks optimize vertical space, permitting storage facilities to store more inventory in a reduced footprint. This is extremely useful in operations with insufficient floor space.

Better Inventory Control: The FIFO system makes sure that the oldest stock is used first, reducing the risk of expired or obsolete goods. This is essential for maintaining product condition and cutting product loss.

Decreased Labor Costs: With products automatically moving to the face of the line, workers consume less time traveling and more time picking, leading to lower labor costs and increased efficiency.

Pallet Flow Racks

Pallet gravity flow racks are engineered for larger, heavier goods that are palletized. These systems operate using the same concept as carton flow racks but are built to accommodate the weight and size of pallets. Pallet gravity flow racks include inclined roller tracks that allow pallets to slide from the top end to the picking end.

Advantages 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 useful for operations with high turnover ratios.

Optimized Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system makes sure that older stock is selected first, which is essential for items that are set to expire or those that demand rigorous inventory control.

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

Lower Labor Expenses: Similar to case flow racks, pallet flow racks reduce the man hours required for picking, translating to diminished labor expense and greater operational productivity.

Speak To A Warehouse Storage Professional

Gravity-fed racks offer a wide range of advantages for storage facilities and distribution centers. As the demand for speedier and more streamlined order fulfillment keeps increasing, gravity-fed racks present an optimal solution for warehouse operators looking to stay competitive in the rapidly moving logistics landscape. To get more information on flow racks, speak to a warehouse professional at Raymond West now.

Raymond West's Stockton facility serves much of the northern Central Valley, including Stockton, Lathrop, Lodi, Tracy, Modesto, and Merced.

Raymond West | Stockton Material Handling Equipment Supplier

19107 Christopher Way
Lathrop, CA 95330
(800) 675-2500