Carton flow is an inventory storage system where cartons are stacked on an inclined rack, allowing for easy and efficient picking. The system consists of shelving with rack shelves, and can be customized to fit the needs of the business. It is cost-effective and can be expanded as needed.
Carton flow is an inventory storage system where staff stack cartons on an inclined rack so that when cartons are removed from the front, cartons from the rear push forward with the help of gravity. This method is commonly used in picking warehouses, where staff must be able to quickly, easily and accurately collect goods for shipment to retailers and end consumers. Using carton flow can increase efficiency and simplify inventory control in the warehouse, reducing operating costs for the company.
The basic carton flow system consists of shelving with rack shelves. Cartons of various sizes can be placed on the shelves, allowing people to easily place stock in different types of packaging. The shelf usually has space for tags, with barcodes and other information on the front for easy reference. Stackers load the shelves with new products from the rear and pickers pick orders from the front. This facilitates a first in, first out system, keeping inventory rotation constant and ensuring items don’t stay on the shelf for too long.
In case flow, as long as stock is available, one case will be placed at the front of the rack. This makes it easier for pickers to get their jobs done, and it also makes it easier to track merchandise to determine when a business needs to produce or order more of a particular item. The facility may use stacking racks with lifts to provide more storage space, with binders using the lift to access items at the top. In an automated warehouse, robots can pick items off shelves after scanning them to confirm that the barcode matches the order in the system.
The dimensions of a carton flow system can vary. Manufacturers often make modules, so it’s easy for companies to mix and match to meet their needs. The business can add or subtract modules to address changes in stock levels. The shelving’s flexible width also easily accommodates changes in package sizes or storage policies.
Companies can get estimates from different manufacturers on the cost of installing a carton flow system. The modular nature of such systems can be advantageous for small businesses that cannot afford a large initial outlay of cash. They can purchase a few modules to keep costs down, but still leave room for expansion should they start carrying more inventory or want to convert an entire warehouse into a carton stream.
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