IS A PICK MODULE SYSTEM THE KEY TO HIGHER ORDER FULFILLMENT RATES? Pick modules are versatile, essential pieces to every organized warehouse, industrial space, or distribution facility. For more information on how to get your own, custom-made system, reach out to our team of experts! SCROLL DOWN MODULE SYSTEM INTRODUCTION COMMON TERMINOLOGY & DEFINITIONS HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE GETTING QUALITY PICK MODULE SUBCOMPONENTS HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PICK MODULE MANUFACTURER FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING PICK MODULES WILL PICK MODULES WORK IN MY INDUSTRY? CAN PICK MODULES MAKE MANUFACTURERS MORE LEAN? PICK MODULE OPERATIONS IN A WORLD WITH COVID-19 PICK MODULES VS TRADITIONAL RACKING PRODUCTS TOP 5 PICK MODULE BENEFITS FOR STAYING COMPETITIVE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PICK MODULES Pick modules are large and relatively complex structures designed to facilitate storage and order fulfillment of bulk items, such as full and partial pallet loads, and single picks—often referred to as “eaches.” It is this fundamental characteristic of the pick module, the ability to handle a broad diversity of products and order types, that makes it such a unique and integral part of today’s high-volume distribution center operations. At their core, pick modules are constructed from the most basic pallet racking components, namely uprights and beams that are common to just about every bulk material handling and pallet storage system. A wide variety of subcomponents can be integrated into these basic rack structures and combined with advanced software and control technologies to facilitate the high-speed and accurate product movement, inventory control, and order fulfillment functions essential to today’s e-commerce world. While there is no such thing as a standard pick module, they are generally customized for a particular facility or application, there are some common traits between them. A typical pick module is a multi-level structure that takes full advantage of a building’s cubic space. Pick modules may contain and handle hundreds and even thousands of SKUs (stock keeping units). Larger distribution centers often have multiple pick modules under one roof, each dedicated to particular product types or to common characteristics of a product set such as their propensity to be ordered (fast movers versus slow movers), their value (commodity items versus higher-priced) their fragility (perishable versus hard goods) and their size. Pick Module Categories Most used pick module subcomponent systems: Case Flow Lanes – often called, carton flow lanes, these allow pickers to move and pick one box, case, or individual SKU versus a full pallet. Pallet Flow Lanes – allows pickers to use a full pallet as the base for picking full and partial cartons, all with a full pallet waiting right behind the current one for immediate replenishment. Reserve Rack – component in a standard rack system which provides reserve product storage. Push Back Rack – allows for dense product storage within reserve racks, while always keeping product available at the pick face. Pallet Return Lanes – usually shallow lane pallet flow allowing for the removal of empty pallets for easy pick up in lift truck aisles. Conveyor – power and gravity are used in combination to aid in the transport of products from their storage location to the packaging and shipping areas, and for refuse removal from the work areas. Common Problems Solved by Pick Modules When we think of common problems across warehousing, e-commerce, and manufacturing industries, we often think about about increasing picking percentages, saving space, minimizing labor expenses, and improving worker safety. Pick modules have a role to play in solving all these issues. How to Maximize Picking Efficiency While many picking modules are similar, the effectiveness shows in how they're implemented in the space. So, the first step to maximizing picking efficiency is knowing your goals and knowing your space. Pallet flow lanes are an essential choice if you're shipping or storing large products. Whether you're dealing with pallets of flooring, traditional retail products, or building supplies, pallet flow lanes will get your product from storage to loading bay efficiently. Using Pushback Racks to Save Space Space is always an issue. Whether it's finding enough space for people and product to move safely or maximizing space to cut walk time and maximized products. With basic pallet picking setups you can gain about 35% more space using a six-foot-deep racking system. That's 35% more room for more product, expanding production lines, or find space to add an employee work station. To increase space saving more, which means even more space for product and people, push back racks allow for even more storage, eliminating unnecessary lanes when not in use. This extra space will help you keep people safe, expand inventory, and effectively use your space. Organization To Minimize Labor Expenses Picking modules are only part of the answer. Whether you're using reserve racks, pallet return lanes, or structural racks, creating a system that works for you with those picking modules is how you save money and time. Labor expenses are almost always the biggest part of a company's budget. So, finding ways for employees to safely spend less time doing tasks means an increase in productivity and a decrease in expenses. For example, any of our picking modules arranged using cellular manufacturing methods will cut walking time for employees and pair like items in easy to find locations. Best Safety Practices Save People and Money How your warehouse, manufacturing facility, distribution center, or e-commerce hub is setup makes a difference in worker safety. In locations where workers are often doing physical labor of picking up packages or products, working with and around heavy machinery, using pick modules to safely store products and make them easily accessible is an easy answer to minimizing workplace accidents. 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