Selective Rack + Bin Shelving + Picking Carts + Packing Tables – A Case Study

Solution at a Glance:

• Services Provided: Design, Installation, Project Management 
• Products Provided: Selective Pallet Rack, Rivet Shelving with Bins, Picking Carts with Bins, Packing Tables
• Location: Los Angeles, CA

Scope: Full Material Handling System for High Paced Operation

A well-established online clothing company was in the process of moving warehouses. The company provides customized apparel and accessories. This unique operation requires extremely high efficiency to keep up with fulfilling customized orders.

The company needed expertise in creating a material handling system that optimizes the efficiency of their picking and packing systems. Because of their need to continue operations as soon as possible, the company’s desired completion date was 30 days away, a very fast turnaround time for a material handling system.

Solution: Integration of Material Handling Solutions for Efficient Operations

The company hired REB Storage Systems to project manage their entire material handling system. This included design, materials and subcontractor procurement, permitting support, and installation.

REB’s design team assessed the warehouse space as well as the company’s current picking and shipping process. Based on this, it was determined that the company would benefit from the following:

• An area for bulk/overflow storage.
• An area for easy access to piece-picking.
• An efficient method of retrieving products from the piece picking area. This includes the ability to organize each order individually and quickly transport orders to the printing.
• A better-organized space for packing.

REB project designers developed a warehouse layout with a designated space for each material handling solution.

Rivet shelving with bins is used to hold items intended for quick picks. The rivet shelving holds the specialty bins that are designed to hold clothing. Each bin stores items of the same SKU. When a custom order is placed online, the picker locates the correct bin(s), places each item in the picking cart, and scans the appropriate SKU. Once this is complete, the order is brought to the printing area.

Selective pallet rack is integrated to hold bulk apparel SKUs. This racking allows for various sized boxes to be located throughout the rack, making it an efficient way to store numerous clothing types that may require different sized boxes. The bulk items placed on the selective rack will replenish the picking bins when product runs low. Ladder carts are used to access shelves out of reach.

Picking carts equipped with bins were determined to be the best solution for pickers to retrieve products from the piece picking area, organize products by shipment, and transport products to the printing area. The carts feature 3 levels of slanted shelves to allow for easier placement of products as well as increased visibility into each bin.

Packing tables are conveniently located near the picking aisles. These tables consist of a lower shelf on the bottom, adjustable legs for height, and punch outlets which allow a power cord to run through.

Outcome: Efficient Material Handling System Completed Within Tight Timeframe

The project was completed within the 30-day requested time frame. The company has increased their efficiency, resulting in higher pick and ship rates.

How did REB meet the 30-day deadline? Due to our extensive relationships with manufacturers across the US, REB was able to identify separate manufacturers for the racking, shelving, picking carts, and tables that could supply the products via their quick ship programs. This allowed for the procurement of the products within 72 hours.

Contact the Material Handling System Integrators at REB

If you need a fully optimized, comprehensive material handling system to expedite your operation, consider REB Storage Systems.

Our dedicated team of material handling experts will work with you to provide a solution that will optimize your picking operations. REB’s designers are highly experienced in identifying inefficiencies and implementing improved systems. In addition, REB’s project managers excel at adhering to completion date goals and can think outside the box when roadblocks arise.

We’d appreciate the opportunity to help you further, whether that be more information or a quote. Fill out the contact form on this page or call us at (800) 252-5955 to get in touch with a REB representative.