Picking Process Problems – A Case Study

Solution at a Glance

• Services Provided: Custom Product Design, Project Management
• Products Provided: Custom Order Picking Carts
• Location: Aberdeen, MD

Concern: Inefficient Picking

A beauty and personal care products distributor wanted to address picking issues they were having in their 850,000 sq. ft. distribution center. The issues were due to inadequacies with their warehouse picking carts.

The shelf levels of each cart were flat and too close to see directly into boxes on the bottom two levels. This was also causing employees to have some difficulty placing items smoothly into each box at the rapid rate they pick.

Additionally, the large design of the handles was causing the carts to bump into the rack, frequently damaging the carts.

Solution: Custom Designed Warehouse Picking Carts

REB worked with the company to design warehouse picking carts that are better suited to the company’s operation.

The new carts are larger and able to securely fit 10 of the company’s standard shipping boxes on each level of the cart, giving them available space to fit 30 boxes total. This is 6 more boxes than the old cart.

Each shelf level is built at an angle, making placing items in each box a smoother process, as well as easier viewing of contents in each box.

The handles are custom made to be less obtrusive and provide easier maneuverability. Bumpers were added to the handles to avoid the wear and tear that the original carts were experiencing.

Outcome: Increased Pick and Ship Speeds

As a result of implementing the new picking carts, employees are picking items faster than before. The carts raised the number of items the company can pick and ship per day.

Additionally, the new design eliminated the damage that was happening to the old picking carts. Because of this, the company does not have to frequently replace carts.

How You Can Improve Pick and Ship Speed in your Warehouse

If you feel like you’re using an inefficient system, contact REB today.

Our dedicated team of material handling experts can work with you to provide you with a solution that will optimize your picking operations. We are highly experienced in identifying inefficiencies and implementing improved systems.

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