Warehouse Storage
Racking and Shelving
Warehouses and fulfilment centres use various methods to effectively store products for picking and storage. A well-designed storage plan will maximise available space and provide quick access for replenishment and picking.
The best solutions depend on product type, stock life cycle, throughputs, etc, and might be a mixture of different storage systems such as:
- Pallet Racking
- Live Storage
- Shelving
Pallet Racking
- Wide Aisle: Offering versatile access to your goods, suitable for various product types and stock cycles.
- Narrow Aisle: Ideal for high-density storage, maximising vertical space utilisation.
- Double Deep: Doubling storage capacity while maintaining selectivity.
- Drive In / Through: High-density storage with fewer aisles, perfect for bulk goods.
- Push Back: Maximising space while allowing for efficient stock rotation.
- Pallet Line Storage: Systematically streamlining storage.
Live Storage
- Carton live: storage fitted with gravity-powered wheels to move cartons/totes to the front of the shelf to form a live pick face and allow a FIFO (first in, first out) stock management.
- Pallet Flow – Control the flow of pallets in a FIFO or LIFO pattern using pallet flow solutions. Pallets are loaded at one end and move to the other automatically ready for offloading.
Shelving
Robust and easily configurable shelving is a key element for most fulfilment centres, vitally important for speedy and accurate picking. A well-thought-out design will maximise storage density. Combine this with order history, identifying faster-moving items or commonly ordered-together items for maximum efficiency.
Shelving and carton live can be combined with conveyors for a different type of order picking: operator-per-zone picking, which gives a different level of efficiency while keeping the process linear and quick.
Tote bins
Good quality tote bins are essential for all automated warehouses, not only for their longevity but also for automation reliability for many years.
CSL will help you select the right tote bins for your products, processes, and automation system. Such as:
- Nesting
- Trays
- Baskets
- Stackable
With over 28 years experience, we pride ourselves on delivering successful installations for leading organisations. Our commitment to excellence fosters strong relationships, allowing us to provide tailored automation solutions and ongoing support.
For more information, contact us at 01283 55 22 55.
Our Clients
Frequently Asked Questions
How do pallet racking systems enhance warehouse storage?
Pallet racking systems enhance warehouse storage by optimising vertical space, increasing storage capacity and facilitating efficient goods retrieval.
Can your solutions be tailored to our specific warehouse needs?
Absolutely. Our experts customise solutions, considering product types, stock cycles, and more to match your unique requirements.
How do integrated systems revolutionise warehouse efficiency?
Integrating pallet racking, mezzanines, and goods lifts optimises workflow, space utilisation, and product movement, ultimately boosting overall efficiency.
What is the difference between shelving and racking?
- Shelving is typically used for storing lightweight items that can be manually picked. It is common in retail, offices, and warehouses where small products, tools, or boxes need to be organized.
- Racking is designed for heavier loads, usually pallets and bulk storage. It is used in industrial and warehouse environments where forklifts or other equipment are needed to load and unload products.
What is the difference between FIFO and LIFO?
- FIFO (First In, First Out): The oldest stock is used or sold first, ensuring that products don’t expire or become obsolete. This is commonly used in food storage, pharmaceuticals, and perishable goods.
- LIFO (Last In, First Out): The most recently received stock is used or sold first. This is often used in industries where stock does not expire, and businesses want to manage costs based on the most recent purchase prices, such as in raw materials or construction supplies.
Why is having quality totes important?
The humble tote plays a pivotal role in warehousing and fulfilment centres. However, not all totes are created equal, and the choice between cheaper and more expensive totes can have far-reaching consequences on your business. Let’s delve into the value of investing in quality totes and how they can enhance your eCommerce operations.
- Frequent replacements and inefficiencies: Cheap totes, made from low-quality materials, often wear out quickly. This leads to frequent replacements, increased costs, and disrupted workflows.
- Damage and compatibility issues: Low quality totes can misalign or break, causing jams and downtime on conveyor systems, and potentially damaging equipment. Ensuring compatibility with your conveyor and automated systems is crucial to avoid these issues.
- Increased handling risks: Totes with rough edges, weak handles, or unstable bases pose risks of accidents and injuries, affecting worker safety and productivity. Ergonomic and reliable totes improve handling efficiency, leading to faster picking and packing processes. Premium totes are also designed for better stacking and nesting, maximising the use of available space in storage and transportation.
- Material Quality: Opt for totes made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) for durability and impact resistance.
- Design features: Look for reinforced corners, smooth interiors, and ergonomic handles to enhance durability, ease of cleaning, and handling comfort.
- Technology integration: Consider totes equipped with RFID modules or LPNs (license plate numbers) for efficient inventory management and tracking.
More Information
Pallet Racking
- Conveyor Systems Ltd.’s expertly designed pallet racking and shelving systems bring precision and adaptability to your storage needs. Whether considering new installations or enhancing existing setups, our pallet rack mezzanine solutions cater to your unique requirements, including product type, stock life cycle, throughput, and compatibility with retrieval and replenishment machinery.
- Pallet Racking Mezzanine Systems:
- Choose from an array of pallet racking options meticulously designed for optimal storage efficiency:
- Wide aisle: Offering versatile access to your goods, suitable for various product types and stock cycles.
- Narrow aisle: Ideal for high-density storage, maximising vertical space utilisation.
- Double deep: Doubling storage capacity while maintaining selectivity. Drive in/through: High-density storage with fewer aisles, perfect for bulk goods.
- Push back: Maximising space while allowing for efficient stock rotation.
- Pallet line storage: Systematically streamlining storage.
Automated Storage
Automated vertical storage systems work to optimise warehouse and distribution centre storage. These systems retrieve items from vertically stacked trays or bins, bringing them to an accessible pick-up point.
By capitalising on the full height of a facility, they reduce the floor space required for storage. All while increasing the accuracy and speed of inventory retrieval. These solutions streamline operations in an era where rapid order fulfilment is crucial. They reduce human error and maximise your storage density. Allowing you to modernise your storage approach and ensuring you stay competitive in the fast-paced logistics landscape.
Key features
Vertical Storage Systems are the future of warehouse efficiency. Here are the standout features:
- Rapid installation: Minimise operational disruptions with our quick setup, ensuring a speedier return on investment.
- Operator bays: Designed for hassle-free picking and refilling. These bays dramatically streamline the workflow and decrease manual labour.
- Motorised elevator: At the heart of our AVSS is a central motorised elevator. This ensures rapid and smooth movement of product trays for immediate inventory access.
By harnessing these features, our systems promise a seamless transition to a more efficient, space-saving, and time-optimised storage system. Letting you experience the next level in warehouse operations.
Benefits of automated vertical storage systems (AVSS)
- Pace efficiency: Experience unprecedented space conservation, saving up to 90% of your existing storage area.
- Time efficiency: Negate the need for operators to traverse vast warehouses, optimising product retrieval times.
- Safety & security: Elevate safety by eliminating high-level access and enhancing security, granting entry solely to authorised personnel, and ensuring stock protection.
- Precision & productivity: The integrated system identifies products, increasing accuracy in storage and retrieval processes.
- Optimal stock management: Stay ahead with consistent and automated stock-level recordings. Enabling precise inventory tracking and management.
Choosing the right storage system for your needs
Selecting the perfect automated vertical storage system requires understanding your industry’s specific demands. You should consider the volume of items stored, retrieval frequency, and any unique specs your goods may need.
These systems thrive in diverse settings, proving pivotal in industries like eCommerce with rapid order fulfilment. They are also beneficial in manufacturing, where component accessibility can drive efficiency. And also in pharmaceuticals, where precise storage and retrieval can make a marked difference. With extensive stock varieties, the retail sector also stands to gain from such systems.
A tailored solution not only satisfies your current needs but anticipates future growth and shifts in demand. Choosing wisely can revolutionise your operation, fostering scalability and enhanced performance.
