Maximising efficiency with corrugated cardboard Warehouse Storage Bins and Pick Trays
In the fast-paced world of warehousing and logistics, efficiency is the name of the game. Whether you’re managing a small storage facility or a massive distribution centre, the right tools can make all the difference in streamlining operations. One of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of warehouse management is the proper storage and picking system.
Let’s explore how warehouse storage bins and pick trays can optimise your operations, improve accuracy, and reduce overhead costs.
What are Warehouse storage bins and pick trays?
Warehouse Storage Bins, also known as shelf boxes are containers used to organise and store various products, materials, or parts within a warehouse. These bins come in different sizes, shapes, and materials, depending on the type of goods being stored.
They can be stacked, hung, or placed on shelves for easy access.
Pick Trays, on the other hand, are trays used during the picking process, where workers retrieve specific items to fulfill orders. Pick trays are typically lightweight, and they come in designs that make it easy to transport goods across different parts of the warehouse. Some trays are designed with dividers to keep items secure, while others are designed to be used with barcode scanning systems.
Pick Trays can also be used within the racks of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) grids or stored and retrieved as totes for Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) warehousing.
Why Warehouse Storage Bins are Crucial for Warehouse efficiency?
1. Better Organisation
One of the main advantages of using storage bins is the level of organisation they bring to a warehouse. Products can be sorted based on size, type, or usage, allowing for easy access and preventing clutter. By organising items into bins, employees can quickly locate what they need, reducing time spent searching for goods. Abbe can work with your Warehouse team to provide an optimised and cost-effective solution for your distribution centre.
2. Maximised Space
Storage bins help you maximise vertical space. Many bins are designed to be stackable, so warehouses can use the full height of their storage shelves, maximizing available space. With the right storage solution, even smaller facilities can store large quantities of goods without sacrificing floor space.
3. Improved Inventory Control
When used in conjunction with barcoding or RFID technology, storage bins provide a highly effective way to track inventory. It’s easier to perform inventory counts when goods are neatly organised in bins, and bins can be labeled with specific information such as product type, quantity, and location within the warehouse. In this way, they can be easily referenced by aisle and bay locations.
4. Increased Safety and Reduced Damage
Warehouse storage bins help prevent product damage by keeping goods safe from being crushed, knocked over, or exposed to environmental factors like moisture or dust. Bins with lids also offer protection against contamination, which is especially important for industries that deal with food or medical supplies.
The Role of Pick Trays & Inventory Pick Bins in Streamlining Order Fulfillment
1. Efficient Picking Process
Pick trays play a critical role in speeding up the order-picking process. Instead of workers having to carry multiple items in their hands or push heavy carts, pick trays allow them to consolidate orders in one lightweight, easy-to-carry tray. This helps reduce the number of trips to and from shelves, ultimately speeding up order fulfillment.
2. Increased Accuracy
Pick trays can be customised with dividers and compartments to prevent items from getting mixed up during the picking process. Additionally, many warehouses now use pick-to-light or RFID systems that integrate with pick trays, ensuring workers select the correct items. This reduces the risk of picking errors and increases overall picking accuracy.
3. Cost-Effective and Versatile
They can be used across multiple picking methods, including single-order picking, batch picking, and zone picking. They’re an affordable solution that can adapt to the specific needs of any warehouse, large or small.
4. Simplified Sorting and Packing
Once the picking process is complete, pick trays can be easily transferred to packing stations, where items are sorted, packaged, and prepared for shipment. The trays help keep products organised and prevent them from becoming damaged or misplaced during the transfer process.
Choosing the Right Storage Bin and Pick Tray for Your Warehouse
- Consider Your Inventory
The first step in selecting the right storage bins and pick trays is to consider the types of products you’re storing and picking. For example, if you handle fragile items, opt for bins with cushioned or shock-resistant interiors. For small parts or components, you might want to use smaller, compartmentalized bins to keep things neat and easily accessible.
- Space and Stacking Capacity
Evaluate your warehouse’s layout and available storage space. If you have limited floor space, stackable bins will help you optimise vertical storage. Additionally, make sure the pick trays you choose are compatible with your racking system or shelving units.
- Sustainable & Cost-effective Material
There are different types of bins and trays made from different materials, yet corrugated cardboard bins and shelf pick boxes use lightweight, cost-effective, durable, easily customised material, making them a perfect, sustainable solution for general storage of stock.
- Ease of Use
Efficiency should be a top priority, so look for storage bins and pick trays that are easy for employees to handle. Bins with ergonomic handles, smooth edges, and a stable design will make it easier for workers to move items around the warehouse without causing injury or damage to the products.
Investing in the Right Warehouse Storage System.
Warehouse storage bins and pick trays might seem like simple tools, but when used properly, they can significantly improve the efficiency, accuracy, and safety of warehouse operations. By choosing the right bins and trays for your specific needs, you can streamline processes, reduce handling times, and ensure a higher level of customer satisfaction.
When integrated with modern technologies like barcode scanning, RFID, and pick-to-light systems, these storage solutions can offer even greater benefits, contributing to a more organised, cost-effective, and well-managed warehouse.
Investing in quality storage bins and pick trays may seem like a small decision, but it is one that can have a significant impact on your business’s bottom line. The benefits of organisation, speed, and accuracy will pay off in the long run, making your warehouse a more efficient and productive operation overall.
Click here to view Abbe’s range of cardboard warehouse storage bins and pick trays
