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

Gravity Flow Racks Explained

Gravity-fed racks are storage systems designed to use gravity to move products from the back of the rack to the face. This design guarantees that the first item added to the rear of the system is the first item to be picked from the front, following the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory management principle. This approach is particularly advantageous for goods with expiration dates, such as perishable goods, drugs, and other date-sensitive products.

Carton Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also referred to as gravity flow racks, are well-suited for picking and storing individual goods that are usually stocked in cartons or bins. These racks are made up of slightly declined shelves equipped with rolling mechanisms or skate wheels. When a carton is placed on the higher side of the shelf, gravity moves it down to the bottom side, where it is conveniently accessible for picking.

Benefits of Carton Flow Racks

Enhanced Picking Efficiency: By keeping goods organized and conveniently accessible, case flow racks greatly reduce the amount of time that workers spend finding items. This translates to accelerated order fulfillment and increased productivity.

Optimized Space Utilization: Carton flow racks make the most of vertical space, permitting warehouses to pack additional products in a reduced area. This is particularly advantageous in buildings with floor space constraints.

Better Inventory Control: A FIFO system makes sure that older stock is used first, cutting down on the potential of expired or obsolete goods. This is crucial for preserving product condition and reducing waste.

Reduced Labor Costs: With products naturally moving to the front of the line, employees spend less time walking and more time picking, resulting in diminished labor costs and greater productivity.

Pallet Gravity Flow Racks

Pallet flow racks are set up for larger, heavier items that are palletized. These racks work using the same concept as case flow racks but are built to withstand the heaviness and size of pallets. Pallet gravity flow racks consist of declined roller tracks that enable pallets to move from the loading side to the pick face.

Pallet Flow Rack Benefits

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

Improved Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system guarantees that older inventory is selected first, which is vital for products with expiration dates or those that require rigorous inventory control.

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

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

Talk To A Warehouse Storage Expert

Gravity-fed racks offer a variety of advantages for storage facilities and distribution centers. As the demand for quicker and more labor-saving order fulfillment keeps increasing, gravity-fed racks present an ideal solution for businesses looking to remain competitive in the rapidly moving logistics landscape. To learn more about flow racks, contact a warehouse expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond's Portland service operation includes all of Western Oregon and Southwest Washington, including Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Sherwood, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Oregon City, Gladstone, Clackamas, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, Gresham, Troutdale, Woodburn, Salem, Vancouver, Ridgefield, Longview, Kelso and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Portland Material Handling Equipment Supplier

3148 NE 181st Ave
Portland, OR 97230
(800) 675-2500