4 Tips for Fast, Accurate Carton Flow Order Picking

Improve Carton and Each Picking with Consolidated Carton Flow Rack Storage

Customers want choices. They want their products in stock and orders shipped fast, leaving logistics and DC operators scrambling to handle more SKUs with quicker than ever turnarounds. Not easy!  Add the high cost of labor and space, and they need some easy, affordable strategies to move more products quickly and accurately.
Here you go….  4 Tips for Fast, Accurate Carton Flow Order Picking.

1) Consolidate Slow SKUs in Carton Flow

This is the first step.  Move the slower case, and each picks out of the pallet rack, floor stack, and shelving and into carton flow bays or pick modules.  You’ll condense order picking in a smaller footprint, increase pick locations – by as much as 40 slots per bay, and boost productivity by reducing labor travel time for order selectors.

Why Carton Flow Rack?

• Save space – up to 50% vs. static rack
• Increase pick locations – up to 40 slots per bay
• Reduce travel time and equipment requirements
• Decrease labor costs – by as much as 50%
• Increase productivity

2) Add a Carton Flow Tilt Tray to the System

There’s no question, picking cases from carton flow vs. selective rack saves time and space, but standard case flow with flush shelf facings can have some limitations, especially for each-pick applications.  Consider adding a tilt-tray for these item locations.  Cartons flow from the load end as in a typical system, with the first carton pushed gently onto a tilted tray located at the discharge side. Cartons placed in the tilted position add better visibility and accessibility.

Tilt Tray Advantages

• Better visibility to ensure picking accuracy
• Easy access for each picking from carton and totes
• More ergonomic – requiring less bending and reaching
• Custom sizes for all applications

3) Consider Dyna-Flo Carton Flow for Easy Re-Slotting

Conventional carton flow relies on individual wheeled tracks installed on shelf or rack frames for specific carton sizes.  These systems are cost-effective and straightforward but also labor-intensive for product mix changes – tracks must be lifted and re-installed for new carton shapes and sizes.  Mallard’s Dyna-Flo is a flexible, time-saving alternative – a full-width wheel bed accommodates multiple carton sizes on each shelf level for easy product slotting and re-slotting.

Dyna-Flo Advantages

• Quickly drops into existing pallet rack
• Full wheel bed accommodates cartons of all sizes and shapes
• Simple, easy product reprofiling
• Consolidates and increases pick slots

 4) Use Flow Rack Lane Dividers

Full lane or entry dividers aren’t necessary for proper flow but can create better lane visibility for case replenishment and picking activities.

• Full Lane Dividers – quickly drop in place along the full shelf bed
• Entry Guides –  bright, durable guides snap into position anywhere on the shelf bed and can quickly be moved for new lane configurations.

Your Go-To Source for Carton Flow Rack Products & Accessories 

Need Product Slotting Help?  No problem.  Using your inventory and SKU velocity reports, Mallard’s gravity flow rack specialists will help you design the optimal product configuration for maximum storage and picking efficiency.

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