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

Understanding Gravity Flow Racks

Gravity flow racks are storage setups designed to use gravity to shift goods from the back of the rack to the front. This design guarantees that the first item loaded on the rear of the system is the first one to be picked from the face, complying with the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory system. This method is especially useful for products with expiration dates, such as food items, pharmaceuticals, and other date-sensitive products.

Case Flow Racks

Case flow racks, also known as gravity flow racks, are perfect for storing and picking individual items that are typically stocked in cartons or bins. These racks are made up of slightly inclined shelves configured with rolling mechanisms or skate wheels. When a box is positioned on the top side of the shelf, gravity pulls it down to the bottom side, where it is conveniently accessible for picking.

Advantages of Carton Flow Racks

Enhanced Picking Efficiency: By keeping goods organized and conveniently accessible, carton flow racks greatly lessen the amount of time that employees spend looking for items. This translates to quicker order completion and increased productivity.

Optimized Space Utilization: Flow racks make the most of vertical space, enabling storage facilities to store additional products in a smaller area. This is especially beneficial in operations with limited floor space.

Enhanced Inventory Management: A FIFO system ensures that the earliest inventory is picked first, reducing the potential of expired or obsolete products. This is essential for maintaining product quality and reducing waste.

Reduced Labor Costs: With products automatically sliding to the face of the rack, pickers spend less time traveling and more time picking, leading to diminished labor costs and increased efficiency.

Pallet Flow Racks

Pallet flow racks are engineered for larger, heavier goods that are palletized. These systems function using the same idea as case flow racks but are engineered to accommodate the weight and bulk of pallets. Pallet flow racks are made up of sloping roller beds that permit pallets to glide from the top side to the picking end.

Benefits of Pallet Flow Racks

Boosted Storage Density: Pallet flow racks enable high-density storage by optimizing vertical space and deep lane storage. This is extremely useful for storage operations with high turnover ratios.

Optimized Inventory Rotation: The FIFO system guarantees that earlier stock is picked first, which is crucial for goods that expire or those that need strict inventory control.

Better Safety: By reducing the demand for forklifts to maneuver through aisles to retrieve pallets, pallet gravity flow racks minimize the chance of accidents and product damage.

Reduced Labor Costs: Similar to flow racks, pallet gravity flow racks minimize the man hours necessary for picking, leading to more favorable labor expense and increased operational productivity.

Consult With A Warehouse Storage Specialist

Gravity-fed racks offer a multitude of benefits for warehouses and DCs. As the demand for faster and more efficient order fulfillment continues to grow, gravity flow racks offer an excellent solution for operations looking to remain competitive in the ever-evolving logistics landscape. To get more information on flow racks, contact a warehouse expert at Raymond West now.

Raymond's Seattle service operation includes most of Western Washington, including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Everett, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, Kent, Federal Way, Fife, Sumner, Auburn, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Olympia, Lacey and surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Seattle Material Handling Equipment Supplier

6607 S 287th St
Auburn, WA 98001
(253) 333-2100