How Mobile Picking Carts Help Streamline Order Picking and Industrial Operations

Today’s warehouses are in a relentless race against time. With fulfillment giant Amazon setting the benchmark for click-to-ship speed at under a day, warehouse managers are constantly on the lookout for ways to trim down the fulfillment process.

However, Amazon enjoys the advantages of a substantial budget and access to cutting-edge technology—luxuries that many companies can’t afford. For the majority of warehouses, this means that time-saving solutions often need to be simpler and more budget-friendly. In many instances, success hinges on minimizing worker movement and optimizing inventory accessibility.

That’s where tools like mobile picking carts from FlexMation start to make a lot of sense. These lean manufacturing solutions bring inventory exactly where orders are fulfilled. Let’s take a closer look at how picking carts can enhance your warehouse efficiency and transform your fulfillment team into a powerhouse of productivity.

Why is Efficient Picking So Important?

In the fast-paced world of warehousing, operators are under constant pressure to streamline their fulfillment times. One of the most effective ways to achieve immediate results is by improving order-picking processes.

Delays during the picking phase can prolong the fulfillment of every order, and many of these issues are easy to identify. Pickers often waste valuable time moving between different storage zones in search of items, which not only hinders efficiency but also raises labor costs. Moreover, a disorganized warehouse or inefficient fulfillment procedures can lead to costly picking mistakes, resulting in returns and ultimately diminishing customer satisfaction.

These order-picking inefficiencies take a toll on profitability, contributing to reduced margins and higher customer turnover. A recent survey revealed that almost 90% of customers would consider switching to a competitor after a single negative online shopping experience. It’s evident that improving order picking is crucial for warehouses aiming to remain competitive.

How Mobile Picking Carts Optimize Order Picking

Mobile picking carts offer a practical and efficient solution for warehouses and fulfillment centers facing the challenges outlined above. You can think of these carts as mobile storage spaces that simplify the picking process. They’re designed to carry a wide range of items throughout the warehouse, transporting inventory directly to the fulfillment area when it’s time to pick. Available in basic utility models or more intricate configurations with specialized picking cells, these carts enhance productivity and streamline operations.

Picking carts provide a range of lean manufacturing benefits, including:

• Quicker Travel Time: Mobile carts deliver inventory directly to pickers rather than the other way around. This approach streamlines the fulfillment process by making inventory easier to access.
• Improved Flexibility and Mobility: Mobile picking carts are designed for enhanced mobility and flexibility, making it easy to navigate the warehouse and adapt to frequent changes in inventory. Fulfillment teams can quickly load these carts based on the day’s specific needs and send them off to wherever they’re required.
• Improved Picking Speed and Precision: By having inventory more easily accessible, workers can achieve greater accuracy and quicker pick times. This allows them to spend less time searching, walking, and reaching for items and more time actually picking what they need.
• Less Worker Strain: Mobile picking carts provide a compact selection of inventory that is easily accessible to any picker. With no need for climbing, reaching, or straining, this solution offers a more ergonomic approach to fulfillment.

Many warehouses are already capitalizing on the mobility and versatility offered by these highly adaptable storage solutions. Whether utilizing single, batch, or zone picking methods—or a combination of these—warehouse teams can leverage mobile picking carts to boost productivity and streamline their fulfillment processes.

Industrial Picking Carts from FlexMation

Industrial picking carts can be designed for a variety of functions in manufacturing settings, such as restocking, replenishment, picking, and storage. UNEX provides a comprehensive range of custom-engineered industrial picking carts that are robust, adaptable, and tailored to your specific needs. Our mobile storage solutions support Lean principles by maintaining an organized inventory and boosting pick efficiency.

UNEX FlowCell products are highly configurable, meaning you can create a range of different picking carts. For instance, you can create a solution with tilted pick trays to clearly present products and enhance sightlines for pickers. Or, you could design a picking cart with carton flow tracks like SpanTrack to create flow-through solutions that are purpose-built for industrial environments.

Transform Your Picking Process with Help from FlexMation

Mobile picking carts play a crucial role in the fast-paced environments of modern warehouses. They offer a vital boost in flexibility and make inventory more accessible during the fulfillment process, giving businesses a valuable advantage when speed is essential. Contact FlexMation today to learn more about mobile picking carts, industrial picking carts, and how we can help you do your job better, safer, faster, and smarter.