The Many Benefits of Lineside Storage and UNEX Flow Carts

If you’re familiar with the benefits of lean manufacturing, chances are you’re aware of lineside storage and how it can help boost your production efficiency. Put simply, lineside storage is the practice of storing components and materials close to production lines so workers can access and replenish them more easily.  

But when you dig a little bit deeper, it becomes clear that this lean manufacturing tactic is particularly effective for jumpstarting efficient material flow, optimizing space utilization, and reducing waste. When implemented correctly, lineside storage creates a one-two punch of productivity-boosting benefits.

Manufacturers can mitigate or eliminate painful drains on productivity by removing unnecessary costs, travel, and waste. Then, by promoting enhanced workflows, optimized space utilization, accessibility, collaboration, and flexibility, lineside storage promotes habits, behaviors, and practices that boost productivity.

Unique Ways That Lineside Storage Improves Lean Manufacturing

Manufacturers can mitigate or eliminate painful drains on productivity by removing unnecessary costs, travel, and waste. Then, by promoting enhanced workflows, optimized space utilization, accessibility, collaboration, and flexibility, lineside storage promotes habits, behaviors, and practices that boost productivity.

Here are a few of the most unique ways that implementing lineside storage can benefit your lean manufacturing processes:

Workflow Enhancement

Efficient storage along the production line plays a vital role in maintaining a seamless material flow and minimizing any disruptions or delays. This consistent stream of materials not only guarantees a more uniform production process but also helps improve productivity by decreasing downtime.

Reduction of Costs

By keeping materials in close proximity to the production line, manufacturing companies can substantially cut down on labor expenses by eliminating the need for inefficient and time-consuming travel. In addition, lineside storage reduces the risk of workplace injuries associated with retrieving and transporting goods, leading to cost savings for manufacturers.

Optimizing Space

By implementing lineside storage strategically, space utilization can become more organized, resulting in an efficient, functional production line. Perhaps equally important is the fact that optimizing your factory layout to incorporate lineside storage creates a productive environment where everything has its designated place.

Reduce Waste

By utilizing only the necessary amount of resources at the appropriate time, lineside storage practices help you avoid excess inventory while reducing waste. This strategy not only saves money but enhances efficiency by ensuring that resources are utilized wisely.

Common Solutions & Best Practices for Implementing Lineside Storage

Lineside storage isn’t only about putting materials near your production line. It’s about strategic, intelligent manufacturing management. UNEX’s manufacturing solutions have been leveraged by operations to maximize their workspace’s efficiency.

One of the most popular solutions for lineside storage are UNEX FlowCell flow racks. These modular flow racks offer lineside flexibility by delivering inventory and components directly to production lines, maximizing space utilization while maintaining product organization. UNEX FlowCell’s modular construction even allows it to adapt to line and process changes, making it scalable, rearrangeable, and expandable over time.

It can serve as lean workstations right at lineside, providing direct inventory and components as needed while supporting just-in-time principles to minimize waste, movement, and excess inventory in production. If you’re thinking about putting flow racks on your warehouse or facility floor to enhance lineside storage, keep these questions in the back of your mind:

How are parts getting to the line in your facility?

• Do you have any layout and space requirements for the flow racks?
• What amount of storage capacity are you looking to fill?
• Which items (and their weights) do you plan on storing lineside?
• Do you need a flow cart to accommodate totes or bins of different sizes?
• Do you utilize inventory rotation or FIFO practices in your production process?

UNEX Flow Racks and Lineside Storage Solutions from FlexMation

At FlexMation, we aim to be trusted partners – allies who advance your manufacturing performance and help you do your job better, safer, faster, and smarter. Need a FIFO rack quickly? Roller Rack Quick Ship is the answer! These pre-engineered 8’x8′ flow racks are perfect for lineside storage, warehousing, or kitting, and ship out in just a week. Add-on bays and extra levels are also available. Contact us today to learn more or click here to order now.