In the fast-paced world of warehousing and distribution, efficiency is vital. One of the most effective ways to enhance productivity and streamline operations is through the use of gravity-fed racks. These systems, which include both pallet and case gravity flow racks, can boost storage density, improve pick speed and reduce labor costs.

What Are Gravity Flow Racks?

Gravity-assisted racks are storage solutions designed to use gravity to move products from the rear of the rack to the front. This design ensures that the first item loaded on the back of the rack is the first item to be picked from the front, adhering to the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) stock management method. This strategy is especially advantageous for goods that expire, such as food items, drugs, and other date-sensitive products.

Carton Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also known as gravity flow racks, are ideal for storing and picking individual items that are usually kept in boxes or totes. These racks include slightly sloping shelves outfitted with roller tracks or skate wheels. When a carton is positioned on the higher side of the shelf, gravity pulls it down to the bottom end, where it is readily accessible for picking.

Benefits of Carton Flow Racks

Improved 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 translates to faster order fulfillment and increased productivity.

Optimized Space Utilization: Case flow racks optimize vertical space, enabling warehouses to stock more inventory in a reduced area. This is particularly useful in operations with insufficient floor space.

Enhanced Inventory Management: A FIFO system makes sure that the oldest stock is picked first, cutting down on the potential of spoiled or obsolete products. This is crucial for maintaining product quality and cutting product loss.

Lower Labor Costs: With products naturally moving to the front of the rack, employees consume less time walking and more time picking, translating to lower labor expenses and greater productivity.

Pallet Flow Racks

Pallet flow racks are set up for bulkier, heavier items stored on pallets. These systems operate using the same concept as carton flow racks but are built to handle the heaviness and bulk of pallets. Pallet gravity flow racks consist of sloping roller shelves that allow pallets to move from the top end to the pick face.

Pallet Flow Rack Benefits

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

Improved Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system guarantees that the first added inventory is selected first, which is vital for goods with expiration dates or those that need rigid inventory control.

Enhanced Safety: By minimizing the demand for lift trucks to navigate through aisles to pick up pallets, pallet flow racks reduce the risk of collisions and inventory damage.

Labor Savings: Similar to carton flow racks, pallet gravity flow racks cut down on the man hours necessary for picking, translating to more favorable labor costs and increased overall productivity.

Talk To A Warehouse Storage Expert

Gravity-assisted racks offer a multitude of benefits for warehouses and distribution centers. As the market for faster and more labor-saving order fulfillment continues to grow, gravity-assisted racks present an optimal solution for businesses looking to stay competitive in the constantly changing logistics landscape. To learn more about flow racks, contact a warehouse expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Santa Barbara County service area includes Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Santa Barbara Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Santa Barbara County, CA
(805) 749-2777

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