Optimum LIFO product storage
The BITO range includes various racking systems for storing goods according to LIFO principles.
BITO Push-back racking and live storage racking
To speed up the flow of goods, pallet loads can be placed on rails that move the pallet to the rear of a lane. Another option is to feed pallets into live storage lanes in LIFO order (push-back system), i.e. products are always loaded and retrieved at the racking front. Pallets are loaded by pushing the first pallet at the front back into the lane. When feeding in more pallets, all pallets in this lane move back by one pallet position.
BITO Drive-in racking
BITO Drive-in racking enables extremely space-saving storage based on the Last In - First Out (LIFO) principle. Products are loaded or retrieved with a forklift truck that enters the relevant storage lane and places the pallets from rear to front onto full-length support rails mounted on both sides of the lane. During retrieval, the process is reversed, from front to back according to the LIFO principle. Drive-in racking is ideal for storing slow moving items in large quantities. Drive-in racking is particularly suited for pressure-sensitive goods or unstable loads that are placed on sturdy pallet seat profiles on both sides of a lane. In-feed guides facilitate exact pallet positioning and push-back stops prevent the pallets from accidentally falling out at the rear end of the lane. The sturdy make of all BITO racking components ensures safe storage and retrieval. As the goods are stored and retrieved from one side and there is no direct pallet access, only small to medium turnover rates are possible. Drive-in racking is therefore perfect for stocking replenishment supplies or for product buffering. The racking system has been specifically designed for compact storage and makes very efficient use of the cubic space in a warehouse due to the reduced number of access aisles.
PROmotion shuttle system
The PROmotion shuttle system from BITO is a modern drive-in racking system with a shuttle vehicle moving into the storage lanes to store and retrieve goods instead of a forklift truck. This method drastically reduces forklift travelling distances. The shuttle vehicle is battery-operated and can be remote controlled. Storage follows the "First In - First Out" (FIFO) or "Last In - First Out" (LIFO) principle without the need to modify the racking configuration. The performance of the system can be increased at any time by adding further PROmotion shuttle vehicles. The racking system can be easily extended as long as sufficient storage space is available.
Implement LIFO storage with BITO solutions
BITO provides the best solution for implementing the LIFO strategy in your company
Last In - First Out (LIFO) principle
In a LIFO inventory management system, goods that are stored last are retrieved first. Goods are loaded and retrieved on the same side of the racking. New pallets are loaded into LIFO racking with a forklift truck by pushing the first pallet at the picking side against the incline into the lane, which is why this racking type is also known as push-back racking. Several racking types can be used to implement the LIFO principle, for example push-back racking, drive-in racking and pallet shuttle systems. The LIFO strategy is particularly suitable for storing homogeneous goods without an expiry date such as building materials like ceramics, glass or stone. These are mass products for which neither an expiry date nor a loss of value over time play a significant role. It is therefore not important which of the stored pallets of a particular product type are the first to leave the warehouse.
Advantages and disadvantages of the LIFO strategy
Of course, the LIFO strategy has advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include a better utilisation of storage space, more storage capacity and cost savings. Compact storage frees up space that can be used for other purposes.
Advantages
- With the LIFO strategy, goods are loaded on the same side from which they are retrieved. This eliminates the need for a second aisle for retrieval, as is the case with FIFO flow racks, for example. The available storage space is therefore used even more efficiently than with conventional flow racks.
- The fact that there are no retrieval aisles means greater storage capacity and the possibility of using storage space for other purposes.
- With LIFO storage, storage costs per item are reduced as a result of improved space utilisation.
- LIFO storage is used to build up hidden reserves, especially when prices for goods are rising. In most cases, older goods in a warehouse were purchased at a comparatively lower price than newer goods. If prices rise, holding older goods will allow a lower value to be applied to inventories in the balance sheet, which in turn will reduce the tax burden.
Disadvantages
- It is difficult to access goods that were stored first. Goods that are placed in a warehouse first run the risk of gathering dust, as new goods are always being stored at the front.
- Older goods can potentially lose value, e.g. due to technological obsolescence.
- The LIFO principle cannot be used for perishable goods such as food and pharmaceutical products. The process is therefore not suitable for all industries.
- The LIFO strategy potentially makes accounting more complex, as old and new goods must be recorded separately in the accounts.
- Keeping older stock can result in higher capital costs as it is potentially used less efficiently and takes up additional storage space.
What are the benefits of a LIFO storage solution from BITO?
BITO provides efficient solutions for LIFO storage applications
LIFO solutions from BITO are ideal for large quantities of non-perishable products such as building materials, metals, sand, gravel, etc. or other slow-moving items, or if products need to be buffered for replenishing workstations. Drive-in racking and push-back systems are ideal for buffering pallets according to the LIFO principle. BITO PROmotion pallet racking serviced with shuttle carriers is particularly flexible and scalable. With the PROmotion system, customers can choose flexibly whether to store goods in FIFO or LIFO mode. We are happy to assist you in finding the solution that is best suited for your application.
Long-standing expertise in the field of LIFO material storage and handling
BITO has gained many years of experience in serving customers from almost any industry. Together with our expertise in storage solutions, warehouse equipment and intralogistics, we are your knowledgeable partner for realising projects of any size. We also supply a wide range of products for material storage and handling. Our project teams looking forward to working with you.
Premium products from our own factories
At BITO, we manufacture premium shelving and racking systems as well as plastic bins, trays and containers in our own state-of-the-art production facilities. Our steel products are manufactured at our company headquarters in Meisenheim, BITO totes are produced in Lauterecken. Both sites work in compliance with the latest technological standards and use modern, energy-efficient machines. This not only guarantees the outstanding quality of our products, but also ensures that production is resource-efficient and meets the most demanding standards of technology and environmental compatibility.
Flexible solution: Shuttle-serviced BITO PROmotion pallet racking
The pallet shuttle storage system combines the advantages of compact storage with the flexibility of shuttle-aided storage and retrieval. The forklift driver simply places the battery-powered PROmotion shuttle carrier into a lane and controls pallet placement by remote control. The shuttle either moves palletised goods to the next empty storage position at the rear of the lane or takes a pallet to the racking front. No lane slope is required as with pallet live storage which enables maximum storage density. The storage levels can be loaded independently of each other. Storage is semi-automated based on the LIFO or FIFO principle. Comparatively high handling rates can be achieved with the PROmotion pallet shuttle system. The performance of the system can easily be increased by using additional shuttle carriers.
Drive-in racking: High-density storage solution for single-reference loads with a low turnover
If goods need to be stored in a particularly space-saving way and there is no need for direct access to specific products, drive-in racking is an efficient solution. It is also ideal for storing large quantities of a single item or goods with a long shelf life. This makes drive-in racking ideal for use as buffer store or as seasonal store. Products are loaded or retrieved with a forklift truck that enters the relevant storage lane and places the pallets from rear to front onto full-length support rails mounted on both sides of the lane. During retrieval, the process is reversed, from front to back, based on the LIFO principle. Drive-in racking is particularly suited for pressure-sensitive goods and unstable loads.
BITO manages large-scale projects around the world
BITO also provides general contracting services for large-scale projects. We take care of all project phases, from selecting and coordinating subcontractors over planning and budgeting through to quality control. Throughout the entire process, we are fully committed to the success of your project, no matter where in the world your warehouse is located. We not only draw on decades of experience and a deep understanding of country-specific conditions, but also have a global network of subsidiaries, cooperation partners and local experts at your disposal. We develop a customised concept for your LIFO project that meets both your individual requirements and the specific characteristics of the country in question.
We provide in-depth advice and work in close cooperation with our customers
Together with you, we work out a customised solution for your LIFO project. At BITO, we value honest and transparent communication. Right from the start, we are on hand to advise you and realise the optimal solution for your needs. We are thoroughly convinced that outstanding solutions are created through intensive dialogue with our customers.
We offer our customers a complete BITO warranty
At BITO, we offer a comprehensive warranty for our products and services. As a renowned company in the field of warehouse storage equipment and conveyor technology, we are fully committed to delivering premium products and services. The BITO brand name is synonymous with outstanding quality and reliability.