Overview of Flow Racks
Flow storage racks are a highly efficient form of dynamic storage that relies on gravity. These systems feature inclined lanes equipped with wheels or rollers. When a pallet or carton is loaded at the high end, it gently flows toward the low end (the picking face). This design separates the loading aisle from the picking aisle, minimizing congestion and travel time. We offer both heavy-duty pallet flow racks and light-duty carton flow racks customized to your operational speed and product size.
What You Get in Flow Storage Systems
A complete flow rack solution requires specialized components to manage pallet movement and speed safely.
Entry and Exit Frames
Standard racking components adapted to hold the inclined flow lanes.
Flow Lanes (Wheels/Rollers)
Specialized wheel or roller tracks designed to handle specific pallet weights and sizes.
Brake/Speed Controllers
Essential mechanisms built into the lane to safely regulate the speed of the flowing pallets.
Pallet Stops
End-of-lane safety devices to halt the final pallet safely at the picking face.
Carton Flow Beds
Inclined beds of small rollers or wheels specifically for high-speed, piece-picking operations.
Loading and Picking Clearances
Precision engineering to ensure proper vertical and horizontal clearances for safe loading/unloading.
Safety Accessories
Options for integrated lighting and guiding rails for enhanced accuracy.
Benefits of FIFO Racking
Implementing dynamic FIFO racking systems provides immediate, measurable benefits for operations where turnover and product freshness are critical
Guaranteed FIFO Rotation
Ensures the oldest product is always picked first, critical for date-sensitive goods, eliminating inventory spoilage and obsolescence.
Increased Picking Efficiency
Separate loading and picking aisles eliminate traffic congestion, reducing forklift travel and increasing labor productivity.
High Density and Space Savings
Flow racks utilize the depth of the lane for storage, maximizing density while retaining immediate access to the entire system.
Reduced Labor Costs
Less travel time for lift truck operators and order pickers results in lower overall handling costs per unit.
Flexibility in Design
Easily integrates into existing rack structures and can be combined with other systems (like selective racking) to create multi-functional pick modules.
Related Racking Solutions
While the standard selective system is highly versatile, consider these related options if you need higher storage density or different flow characteristics.
Single Selective Racks
Offers 100% selectivity but at the expense of storage density. Ideal for low-volume SKUs.
Double Deep Racks
Achieves higher density than selective racking using a LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) model.