In the fast-paced world of warehousing and distribution, efficiency is crucial. One of the most impactful strategies to increase productivity and streamline operations is through the use of gravity flow racks. These systems, which include both case and pallet flow racks, can boost storage density, accelerate pick speed and lower labor costs.

What Are Gravity Flow Racks?

Gravity-assisted racks are storage systems designed to use gravity to transport items from the back of the rack to the front. This design ensures that the first case or pallet added to the rear of the system is the first one to be picked from the front, following the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory system. This method is especially beneficial for products with expiration dates, such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other spoilage-prone items.

Case Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also referred to as just flow racks, are perfect for storing and picking individual products that are typically stored in cases or bins. These racks are made up of slightly sloping shelves equipped with rollers or skate wheels. When a carton is positioned on the top side of the shelf, gravity slides it down to the bottom end, where it is readily accessible for picking.

Benefits of Carton Flow Racks

Enhanced Picking Efficiency: By keeping items organized and readily accessible, gravity flow racks considerably lessen the time workers spend searching for items. This translates to faster order completion and increased throughput.

Maximized Space Usage: Case flow racks make the most of vertical space, allowing warehouse operations to stock additional inventory in a smaller area. This is especially advantageous in operations with floor space constraints.

Enhanced Inventory Management: The FIFO system makes sure that the oldest stock is selected first, minimizing the potential of expired or obsolete goods. This is crucial for sustaining product condition and cutting product loss.

Decreased Labor Costs: With products automatically moving to the front of the rack, pickers spend less time traveling and more time picking, translating to reduced labor costs and greater efficiency.

Pallet Flow Racks

Pallet gravity flow racks are designed for larger, heavier items kept on pallets. These systems operate using the same idea as case flow racks but are constructed to handle the heaviness and size of pallets. Pallet gravity flow racks are made up of sloping roller shelves that allow pallets to glide from the top end to the pick face.

Pallet Flow Rack Benefits

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

Efficient Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system guarantees that older inventory is picked first, which is crucial for goods that expire or those that need rigorous inventory control.

Enhanced Safety: By minimizing the requirement for forklifts to navigate through aisles to pick up pallets, pallet flow racks reduce the possibility of collisions and product damage.

Reduced Labor Costs: Similar to flow racks, pallet flow racks minimize the time and effort needed for picking, resulting in more favorable labor expense and better operational productivity.

Consult With A Warehouse Storage Specialist

Gravity-assisted racks offer a multitude of benefits for warehouses and DCs. As the market for speedier and more efficient order fulfillment continues to grow, gravity-fed racks offer an excellent solution for operations that want to remain competitive in the constantly changing logistics environment. To get more information on flow racks, contact a warehouse expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Nogales facility serves Santa Cruz County and Pima County, including Nogales, Patagonia, Tucson, South Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita and surrounding areas

Raymond West | Nogales Material Handling Equipment Supplier

480 N Mariposa Rd C
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 281-4125