Why You Need Conesco’s Professional Pick Module Designers and Engineers
WAREHOUSE PLANNING
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We can minimize operational disruptions for existing facilities. Creating an optimal setup that seamlessly integrates with your current systems and material handling equipment requires substantial expertise, making DIY approaches inadequate.
Working with professionals ensures a well-designed solution that maximizes efficiency and accommodates future growth, ultimately leading to a more productive and cost-effective warehouse operation. We design with safety in mind, creating ergonomic pick modules that reduce reaching and stretching, separate forklift aisles from picking stations, and mitigate hazards.
Here’s the bottom line.
Pick modules have complex configurations. Mistakes are expensive. You need expert warehouse professionals to create optimal workflow and throughput. That’s what we do. When you work with Conesco Storage Systems, you get a team of warehouse pros with more than 400 years of combined experience.
Call Conesco Storage Systems at (303) 690-9591 or request a free pick module consultation.
Get Turnkey Design, Engineering, and Installation
Conesco Storage Systems provides an end-to-end design and installation process, including:
- Customized planning and design
- CAD and engineer-stamped drawings
- Assistance with permitting and local building codes
- Equipment selection and acquisition
- Comprehensive project management
- Installation with skilled labor
Why Choose Conesco Storage Systems? We are industry leaders in warehouse consulting services and equipment supply. We have a wide selection of new and used material handling equipment to fit every need and can create customized pick modules for any warehouse setup.
Improve Your Workflow
Pick modules can significantly increase your throughput by streamlining and accelerating picking. Depending on the type of goods you store, how much you pick and ship, and your inventory turnover, we can create a custom design that fits your needs. Pick modules are adaptable for first-in, first-out (FIFO) or last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory management.
Save on Labor Costs
Pick module racking and transport save you money. With faster fulfillment, you can move more goods quicker, reducing the number of workforce hours it takes to get the job done. By establishing pick zones and easy access to categorized inventory, you also dramatically reduce pickers’ travel time, improving productivity.
Optimize Floor Space
You can also store more items in less space, increasing your storage density. This maximizes your warehouse and leverages space that would not be used otherwise—without having to pay for additional floor space.
Benefits of Pick Modules
- Optimize your vertical space for improved storage density
- Reduce travel time for pickers
- Automate order flow
- Improve safety by separating forklift aisles from pick stations
- Accommodate pick-to-light (PTL) systems
- Reduce picking errors
- Faster fulfillment
- Modular designs for flexibilit
What Is a Pick Module?
A pick module is an integrated warehousing system that combines various storage and material handling components. It typically incorporates various types of shelving, racking, conveyors, and other equipment to create a compact, vertical structure. This design utilizes space efficiently, making use of vertical areas while minimizing floor space requirements.
These modules are structured with multiple levels, each usually dedicated to specific order profiles or product categories. Warehouse staff retrieve items from these levels and place them on conveyors that transport the products to packing and shipping areas.
The versatility of pick modules allows you to tailor configurations to your specific needs. They can incorporate various equipment types and levels of automation, creating a customized solution that optimizes your order fulfillment processes.
Conesco Storage Systems can design and engineer the ideal pick module for your warehouse, fulfillment center, distribution center, 3PL, or 4PL. We can help you with any phase of your implementation, including a turnkey approach that includes planning, CAD drawing, stamped engineering documents, permitting, equipment selection, and installation by skilled warehouse experts.
Let the professionals at Conesco Storage Systems help you design the ideal pick module system for your warehouse. Call us today at (303) 690-9591.
Types of Pick Modules
You can configure pick modules in a variety of ways, combining different types of equipment and automation.
Static Pick Modules
Static pick modules are fixed structures, typically including various types of pick module racking, shelving, and gravity-fed conveyors. These structures can co-exist at different levels of the warehouse, using vertical space more efficiently.
Dynamic Pick Modules
Dynamic pick modules add advanced automation to further streamline the picking process. Robotic picking equipment, powered conveyors, and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) may be incorporated into the design.
Pick Module Equipment
As one of the nation’s leading material handling equipment dealers, Conesco Storage Systems has access to a wide variety of new and used warehouse equipment from top manufacturers. As part of the design and planning process, we will identify the equipment you need for peak efficiency.
Depending on your needs, pick module equipment may include:
Pallet Racks
Pallet racks are the backbone of most warehouse storage systems, offering versatile and efficient storage for palletized goods. You can configure pallet racking in various ways to maximize vertical space and provide easy access to inventory. Pallet racks are ideal for storing large, heavy items and can be integrated with other pick module components to create a comprehensive storage solution.
Pallet Flow Racks
Pallet flow racks utilize inclined rollers or wheels to allow pallets to move from the loading end to the picking end via gravity. A FIFO approach ensures proper stock rotation and reduces the need for forklift traffic in picking areas. Pallet flow racks are particularly useful for high-volume, fast-moving inventory and can significantly increase storage density.
Carton Flow Racks
Carton flow racks are designed for smaller items stored in cartons or totes, using a similar gravity-fed system as pallet flow racks. These racks improve picking efficiency by presenting items at the front of the rack, reducing reach and increasing pick rates. Carton flow racks are excellent for managing small to medium-sized products with high turnover rates.
Push-Back Racks
Push-back pallet racks offer high-density storage for LIFO strategies. They use nested carts on inclined rails, allowing new pallets to be loaded by pushing back existing inventory. Push-back racks are ideal for storing multiple SKUs in a single lane and work well for products that don’t require a strict FIFO rotation.
Various Types of Shelving
Shelving units provide flexible storage options for smaller items, loose products, or slow-moving inventory. They can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing product sizes and quantities, making them a versatile addition to pick modules. Shelving is particularly useful for picking individual items for order or for storing products that don’t require pallet-level storage.
Conveyors
There are a variety of options for moving goods within your pick modules. You can choose from these conveyor options:
Gravity-Fed Conveyors
These conveyors use gravity to move products along an inclined plane, requiring no power source. They are cost-effective and low-maintenance, ideal for transporting boxes, totes, or other containers over short distances. Gravity conveyors are often used in pick modules to move items from storage areas to packing stations.
Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors use a continuous looped belt to transport items smoothly and efficiently. They are versatile and capable of moving a wide variety of products from small parcels to bulk materials. Belt conveyors are commonly used in warehouses for long-distance transport and can be configured with various widths and speeds to suit different needs.
Power Rollers
Power rollers use motorized rollers to move items along the conveyor path. They offer precise control over product movement and can handle heavier loads than gravity systems. Power rollers are ideal for applications requiring consistent speed and the ability to start and stop product flow as needed.
Flexible Conveyors
Flexible conveyors can be easily expanded, contracted, or curved to adapt to changing layouts or temporary needs. They are typically lightweight and portable, making them perfect for loading/unloading trucks or creating temporary conveyor lines. Flexible conveyors are valuable in warehouse environments where adaptability is key.
Accumulation Conveyors
Accumulation conveyors allow products to queue without applying back pressure to the line. They use sensors and individually controlled zones to manage product flow, preventing jams and protecting sensitive items. Accumulation conveyors are crucial in managing varying production speeds or buffering products between different processes.
Incline/Decline Conveyors
Incline and decline conveyors are designed to move products between different elevations in a warehouse. They can be equipped with cleats, high-friction belts, or other features to prevent items from sliding. These conveyors are essential for multi-level pick modules or connecting different areas of a warehouse with varying heights.
Vertical Conveyors
Vertical conveyors transport items directly up or down, maximizing vertical space. They can handle a variety of load types and sizes, from small parts to full pallets. Vertical conveyors are ideal in multi-story warehouses or facilities with mezzanine levels, efficiently moving products between floors.
Spiral Conveyors
Spiral conveyors move products vertically while rotating around a central axis, saving floor space compared to traditional incline conveyors. They can be designed for continuous or accumulating flow and are often used in facilities with limited floor space. Spiral conveyors are ideal for connecting multiple levels in a compact footprint.
Ball Transfer Tables
Ball transfer tables use an array of ball bearings to allow easy multidirectional movement of items. They are often used at conveyor intersections, workstations, or as manual sorting surfaces. Ball transfer tables facilitate smooth transitions between conveyor lines and enable easy manual manipulation of heavy items.
Other Pick Module Equipment
Depending on your configuration, your design may include:
- Mezzanines: Elevated platforms that create additional floor space in the warehouse, effectively multiplying the usable area without expanding the building’s footprint.
- Lift gates or pallet gates: Safety devices installed at the edges of elevated platforms or mezzanines, allowing for secure pallet loading and unloading while protecting workers from falls.
- Ladders and guardrails: Safety equipment essential for accessing elevated areas and preventing falls, ensuring worker protection in multi-level pick module environments.
- Mobile picking carts: Wheeled carts designed to help pickers efficiently collect and transport items throughout the pick module, often equipped with multiple bins for simultaneous order fulfillment.
- Flooring/wire decking: Sturdy, ventilated flooring material used in pallet racking and pick modules to provide stable support for stored items while allowing light, air, and sprinkler water to pass through.
No matter what kind of material handling equipment you need, Conesco Storage Systems can find exactly what you need to create an efficient pick module racking system to streamline your operations and improve efficiency. Request a free consultation to discuss your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs
What does picking mean in a warehouse?
Picking in a warehouse refers to retrieving specific items from storage locations to fulfill customer orders or internal requests.
What are the three strategies of picking in a warehouse?
The three main strategies of picking in a warehouse are:
- Piece Picking: Individual items are picked one at a time for each order.
- Batch Picking: Multiple orders are grouped, and items are picked for several orders simultaneously.
- Zone Picking: The warehouse is divided into zones, with pickers assigned to specific areas to pick items in their zone.
What is the difference between pallet picking and case picking?
Pallet picking involves selecting and moving entire pallets of a single product, typically for bulk orders or restocking purposes. Case picking, on the other hand, involves picking individual cases or boxes of products from pallets or shelves.
How do I determine the right size and configuration for a pick module?
The right size and configuration depend on your inventory profile, order patterns, and available space. Work with Conesco Storage Systems to analyze your data, growth projections, and operational needs. We can design and engineer a custom solution that maximizes efficiency and accommodates future growth.
What is the typical ROI for installing pick modules?
ROI varies depending on the specific implementation, but many businesses see returns within 12–24 months. Factors influencing ROI include increased picking efficiency, reduced labor costs, improved space utilization, and enhanced accuracy. A detailed cost-benefit analysis can provide a more accurate estimate for your situation.
Can pick modules be adapted as inventory or business changes?
Yes, pick modules are designed to be flexible and adaptable. Many components can be reconfigured, expanded, or modified to accommodate changing inventory profiles or business needs.
Call Conesco Storage Systems at (303) 690-9591 or request a free consultation.