Many order fulfillment operations rely on various applications and picking methods within their warehouses to keep processes flowing. From big box stores to third-party logistics providers, and especially wholesale distributors, case picking plays a major role. Just about every order fulfillment operation devotes at least some portion of their space to case picking.
When case picking operations grow, it can become more challenging for businesses to keep up with consumer demands, let alone deal with space constraints and workplace injuries. Facilities, small and large, have felt these growing pains, especially since the start of the pandemic when consumer demand changed in unprecedented ways.
As your operation grows, you will need more space. Instead of moving your entire operation to a new, larger space, there are some strategic steps you can take to increase space utilization right where you are. For instance, upgrading static shelving with dynamic storage solutions is a great place to start in your case picking operation.
Let’s explore some of the advantages of making the switch from static industrial shelving to dynamic carton flow for case picking operations.
Advantages of Upgrading to Carton Flow in Case Picking Operations
If you’re currently relying on static industrial shelving to store and pick cases for fulfillment, you know how challenging it can be to ensure highly accurate and efficient picks while utilizing every square inch of your storage space. Static shelving creates dead space that cannot be 100% utilized and workers have to bend and reach deeply into racks, sometimes unsafely climbing up and in, just to pick a case. Fortunately, dynamic storage solutions like carton flow can help get things back on track (pun intended)!
Compared to static shelving, carton flow better utilizes the entire height and depth of your warehouse racks. Take UNEX SpanTrack, for example. This innovative carton flow solution easily drops into existing pallet racking to create a robust flow system. Full-width roller lanes or universal wheel beds create the ultimate order picking environment where space is used efficiently, and SKUs are organized, well-labeled, highly visible, and easy to access. These advantages add significant time and space savings for your overall operation!
Converting your static storage to dynamic carton flow can increase your space while decreasing labor costs and improving overall safety. Facilities that implement carton flow experience the following key benefits:
Increased Space Utilization
- Compared to full pallet load carton picking, carton flow puts 7 times more SKUs in half of the space, reducing the distance traveled to each pick.
- Carton flow shrinks your overall footprint, opening up unused space that can be utilized for more value-added activities, like increasing the case picking portion of your operation, for example.
Decreased Labor Costs
- Carton flow keeps SKUs visible by flowing cases to the front of the pick line, saving workers time between each pick. Reducing the time it takes for workers to complete their picks will allow your staff to pick significantly more orders per shift, day, week, etc.
- A dynamic carton flow system like SpanTrack speeds up the time between each pick and eases the strain on the workforce. This adds up to reduced labor costs over time.
Improved Safety
- OSHA describes products with a weight of 25 lb. or greater positioned where the operator must extend or reach the arms to lift as a back/shoulder hazard. Carton flow puts products in a safer location, allowing the order picker to use their legs to lift instead of putting strain on the back by crawling or reaching into shelves.
- Carton flow systems like SpanTrack flow orders directly to the point of pick, improving sight lines, and keeping inventory more organized. When SKUs are easier to see and shelves are tidy, workers are less likely to make mistakes that can cause the environment to become unsafe.
UNEX Carton Flow for Case Picking
For warehouse managers looking to improve case picking, among other key areas of their operation, UNEX offers SpanTrack. Our industry-leading carton flow solutions are engineered-to-order to meet the specific needs of your business.
SpanTrack Lane is a durable carton flow roller system designed to improve efficiency in high-throughput case picking environments. Its heavy-duty construction provides 300% more product contact ensuring smoother, more controlled product flow. This makes it easier and faster for workers to access cases at the pick face, reducing the need for excessive reaching or realignment. SpanTrack Lane enhances pick accuracy by clearly identifying SKUs, while the optimized design for product stacking helps maximize vertical storage space. Together, these features not only increase picking speed but also create a more organized and ergonomic case picking zone.
SpanTrack Wheel Bed
SpanTrack Wheel Bed offers maximum versatility for case picking operations that manage a wide variety of product shapes and sizes. Its full-width bed of staggered wheels allows for left-to-right flexibility, eliminating the need for fixed lanes and enabling rapid SKU re-slotting as inventory demands change. This flexibility is especially valuable in dynamic pick modules where product mix and velocity often fluctuate. The shark fin infeed guides ease the replenishment process by helping cartons flow smoothly into place, while the hex hub wheel design ensures consistent, optimal movement across the track. These features reduce picker fatigue, minimize downtime during restocking, and keep the picking process fast and fluid.
Unlock Greater Case Picking Performance with UNEX Carton Flow
By implementing UNEX SpanTrack solutions, operations can dramatically improve case picking efficiency, accuracy, and space utilization—all within their existing storage footprint. If you’re ready to consider making the switch from static industrial shelving to dynamic carton flow, contact us today and our team of product experts can help!