Efficient warehouse management is the key to ensuring smooth business operations and maximised productivity. At Pallet Racking Solutions, we offer innovative, cutting-edge storage systems – like carton live storage and pallet live racking – that optimise space and streamline inventory management.
But what are the key features of these systems, and how can they improve your warehouse efficiency?
What is carton live storage?
This dynamic system sees cartons placed on sloping roller tracks, supported by pallet racking, to streamline inventory management. The cartons slide on pulley rails from the loading area to the back of the pallet racking in the unloading area. The slight incline ensures smooth movement and facilitates quick and easy access to the cartons. It maintains a first-in, first-out (FIFO) product flow, perfect for your fast-moving warehouse needs.
Here are some of the benefits of utilising this storage system in your workplace:
- Efficient loading and retrieval: Cartons are loaded from the top end of the roller tracks and roll forward with the assistance of gravity. Retrieval is easily done from the bottom end, ensuring a smooth and streamlined inventory management process, always.
- Automatic stock rotation: With one dedicated loading face and one retrieval face, it enables consistent stock rotation. This ensures that older stock is accessed first, maintaining product freshness and longevity.
- Adaptability: This storage system can be customised for both pallet and carton applications, accommodating different inventory types and sizes. This means it can easily be integrated into existing warehouse setups.
Carton live storage systems allow for the seamless replenishment of goods without disrupting outward stock movements. This is done by segregating the loading and unloading of items between two separate aisles. A much safer way of working, don’t you think?
Case study: Mercury Marine
Mercury Marine, a leading company in the marine industry, asked Pallet Racking Solutions to come up with a plan that would streamline stock rotation in their fast-moving warehouse facility. We decided to use the carton live storage system, along with other products and systems, to create a more accessible stock replenishment model for their warehouse.
The ‘success story’ of Mercury Marine, which you can check out by clicking the link above, demonstrates how effective a carton live storage system can be in meeting the unique requirements of various industries.
It also shares several components with another storage solution PRS provides that you can find out more about below!
What is pallet live racking?
Pallet live racking is a high-density storage system that also adopts a first-in, first-out (FIFO) product flow. In essence, it is a compact metal structure equipped with roller conveyors on each level that creates a slight incline of typically around 4%. This incline enables pallets to slide into the interior of the structure easily and travel at a controlled speed to the unloading area at the other end.
Some of the key features and benefits are:
- Gravity-fed rolling system: Products are stocked from one aisle and picked from the adjoining aisle, enabling seamless inventory rotation and easier access by segregating the flow of loading and unloading goods into two separate aisles. This storage system is particularly suited to products with shorter expiration dates, allowing for efficient stock rotation.
- Maximising storage: Utilising vertical space and adopting a compact design allows for high-density storage without compromising accessibility. Its versatility extends to ambient and temperature-controlled installations, including freezers.
- Trusted by iconic New Zealand food manufacturers: It has proven to be an ideal solution for stock management in the food industry. Renowned brands like AFFCO and Bluebird Foods trust the gravity flow and pallet live racking system for efficient inventory handling.
Both live pallet racking and carton live storage systems are perfect for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) warehouses. These warehouses often include packaged foods, beverages, and toiletries that require constant stock rotation and upkeep, and these systems are ideal for this environment.
The health and safety benefits of live storage solutions
The design of live storage solutions provides tangible benefits for the safety of your team. By utilising gravity to move objects, less manual handling is required, which in turn reduces the sprain/ strain risks. The risks of falling objects are also reduced, and with no need to pile up items in aisles and walkways (as they cleanly slide into place where they belong), tip and fall risks are also reduced.
It’s important to note that while live storage solutions offer numerous health and safety benefits, proper training, maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols are essential for their effective and safe use in any workplace.
When are live storage solutions beneficial?
Both live pallet racking and carton live storage systems are perfect for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) warehouses. These warehouses often include packaged foods, beverages, and toiletries that require constant stock rotation and upkeep, and these systems are ideal for this environment.
They also work well for companies with significant stock holdings that want to use the most recent stock first, regardless of how the stock is charged out.
Live storage solutions are also suitable for harsh climates, such as chillers and freezers, where other products may not be suitable.
How can Pallet Racking Solutions help with installing carton live storage and pallet live racking systems?
When off-the-shelf solutions are insufficient, we provide customised racking options tailored to your needs. The types of storage systems we have discussed in this blog can transform spaces, particularly for handling hard-to-store items and fast turnaround environments.
By implementing a carton live storage or pallet live racking system, businesses can significantly improve warehouse productivity, reduce waste, and enhance overall operations.
If you want to maximise your warehouse space and streamline your operations, PRS are your one-stop shop for all your racking requirements. We have the skills, experience and expertise to assist you in getting the most out of your racking, no matter what industry you are in or what challenges you face.
Contact us today to find out more about this and other specialised racking systems that can be configured to meet your individual needs.
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Pallet Racking Solutions designs, supplies and installs quality pallet racking and warehouse storage solutions, New Zealand wide. Follow our blog for the latest innovations, new tech, safety and compliance, case studies and in-depth explanations of our solutions.