Efficient order picking solutions
The BITO range includes efficient solutions to help with order picking, such as order picking containers, platform trucks and shelf trolleys, supply racks, carton and pallet live storage racking.
Bins and containers for order picking
Picking bins and containers are storage totes that have been specifically designed for pick processes in warehouses and logistics centres. They are used to store and transport goods while orders are being picked. Many container types are stackable and can be easily handled manually by warehouse staff. There are different types of picking containers, including stacking containers, storage bins and roll containers. They are generally used in automated or manual picking systems and ensure that orders are collated effortlessly with minimal loss of time. To support picking processes, BITO offer a range of options including PK & SK storage bins with pick opening, CTB containers for C-items, RK storage & handling, XL Euro stacking totes with a pick front, large BN Euro stacking containers with view and pick opening and MB distribution containers.
Order picking trolleys
Trolleys, carts and hand trucks play a key role in order picking in warehouses or for supplying materials in production and assembly processes. They have been designed for providing individual parts, tools and other work materials in an organised way. Equipped with sturdy castors, these transport trolleys can be moved effortlessly to the place of use. The robust tubular steel frame construction ensures excellent stability even in demanding conditions. Many order picking trolleys can be secured with one or more brakes. Supply and order picking trolleys are available with a platform or with several shelf levels, either solid or wired. Some trolley versions can be adapted to the height of goods by adjusting the spacing between the shelf levels. The BITO online shop offers cost-effective order picking trolleys with one or more levels as well as other transport equipment and a wide range of accessories. Examples include platform trolleys and warehouse trolleys with 2 to 4 shelves and fold-away steps.
Shelving and racking for stock replenishment and order picking
Orders can be picked with a variety of shelving and racking systems. These include static and mobile supply shelving with straight or with inclined levels, live storage racking, Kanban racks and bin shelving complete with storage and handling bins. A clear trend towards automation and the use of order picking systems can be observed in numerous industries in order to optimise processes and use resources more efficiently. It should be noted that the use of picking robots does not make sense in all situations. In principle, it is possible to store and retrieve products manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically. Galvanised supply racks with open-fronted storage and handling bins or C-item containers are used for fast manual order picking. Live storage systems (flow storage) with inclined levels are fitted with roller tracks or full-width rollers speed up work processes. They present goods in FIFO (First In First Out) order. The FIFO principle ensures that goods that are stored first are also the first to be retrieved. The implementation of the FIFO principle, together with single-reference storage within a lane, enables easy monitoring of batches and best-before dates of perishable products such as food and pharmaceuticals. The BITO portfolio includes a wide variety of shelving and racking for order picking such as boltless shelving with inclined levels and Kanban racks, live storage supply racks, mobile bin racks, sheet racks and trolleys, carton and pallet live storage racking.
Order picking with live storage flow racking
Nowadays, business and market conditions are changing quickly and frequently. Companies must therefore be able to take these changes on board just as quickly. Flexibility is particularly important in warehousing and especially in order picking. It can be extremely advantageous to retrofit and convert existing storage systems. Existing static pallet racks can be converted for live storage order picking in a very cost-effective, flexible and fast way by integrating flow storage levels. Static racking can be converted for a limited period of time, for example in peak seasons, and be reconverted at a later date. This enables companies to adapt very quickly to a modified product range, a different turnover frequency and varying load sizes. Static pallet racking can be converted into a pallet flow rack by integrating BITO PROflow levels at floor level height for retrieving single pallet loads or for picking individual items from a pallet.
LEO AGVs
The BITO LEO AGV family is an innovative transport system for bins, boxes, trays or packaged unit loads. It works without a master computer or a WLAN connection. The battery-operated LEO AGV is plug & play-capable and follows a colour-coded adhesive tape track. Direction commands are transmitted via markers (QR codes) on the floor, enabling automated delivery of materials and products to assembly and pick stations. LEO transports goods in totes or on trays as well as packaged loads and returns empty load carriers to their point of origin. The picking stations can be accessed as required and adapted as needed. This flexibility helps to make the entire goods replenishment and picking process extremely efficient. LEO AGVs are an agile and adaptable logistics solution and help companies take a step towards automation.
What is order picking?
BITO Solutions for efficient order picking
Order collation methods
Picking means the compilation of individual items of an order and preparing them for dispatch. More precisely, this involves the selection of goods and merchandise according to order specifications. Goods are selected using printed pick lists or by electronically transmitting item numbers and quantities to the order picker. For efficiency reasons, items related to several orders are often picked together and sorted later on. A picking method is largely determined by the type of goods. Various methods of order collation are used, such as order-oriented picking (single-stage picking) or serial or parallel picking (two-stage or multi-stage picking). There are manual or automated picking systems as well as special picking techniques such as pick-by-light, pick-by-voice, etc. The efficiency of the picking process can be significantly influenced by minimising pick times (basic time, travel time, reach time, downtime, distribution time) and by implementing organisational and technical measures. The integration of RFID transponder technology in order picking is becoming more and more common, not least due to automation and digital transformation as a part of the Industry 4.0 standard.
What is an order picking system?
Order picking is one of the most costly and labour-intensive processes in a company. A picking system comprises a warehouse or storage area containing products, means of transportation, staff and the actual picking orders. The main task of a picking system is to regulate and organise material and information flows. This task can be performed in different ways: manually (person-to-goods), semi-automatically (goods-to-person) or fully automatically, for example by using picking robots. There is a considerable potential for streamlining in the way picking processes are designed and how material and information flows are integrated. Various technical aids are used in this process, including warehouse management systems, transport equipment such as forklifts, picking trolleys, stacker cranes and shuttle carriers, conveyor technology and various picking technologies such as pick-by-voice, barcode and RFID technology. In view of the increasing demand for storing and transporting goods, components or raw materials, automation is becoming increasingly important. Dynamic storage solutions such as shuttle systems or horizontal carousel storage systems are ways of increasing productivity in a warehouse. The focus is on making processes faster, more cost-efficient and more resource-friendly.
What are the benefits of an order picking solution from BITO?
Broad portfolio of customised order picking systems
BITO supplies tailor-made solutions for your order picking requirements. We not only manufacture shelving and racking complete with bins and containers in our own plants, but also supply useful warehouse equipment such as order picking trolleys and material handling trucks and carts as well as the LEO AGV. We also plan and build end-to-end order picking solutions.
Optimal solutions are the result of many years of experience
BITO has many years of experience in designing order picking systems and in managing projects in almost any industry. As a specialist in warehouse technology, we go far beyond manufacturing our own shelving and racking, plastic bins and containers and running our own online shop for components and accessories. We also plan and realise large-scale projects and implement efficient order picking solutions. With a holistic view on storage systems and warehouse technology, we not only supply products, but also provide tailor-made solutions for optimised logistics processes.
Quality products from our own plants
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 bins and containers are produced in Lauterecken. Both production 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.
We design and implement end-to-end order picking solutions
BITO experts will analyse your order picking processes on site, make suggestions for improvement and design the optimal picking system for your application in close cooperation with you. BITO has decades of experience in almost any industry. Our huge portfolio comprises a very extensive range of products for efficient order picking such as shelving and racking complete with storage bins and containers, pick trolleys, retro-fitting solutions for static racking and our LEO AGV.
BITO LEO AGVs
LEO is an optically guided transport system for bins, boxes, trays or individual unit loads that works without a master computer or a WLAN connection. With the help of colour-coded track tapes and optical markers (QR codes) on the floor, LEO is given clear driving commands. LEO distributes goods flexibly and fully autonomously to picking and assembly stations. Bins, containers, trays or cartons are transported safely and empty totes are returned to collection points. LEO AGVs offer a cost-effective solution for your in-house transport needs and can be tailored to your requirements.
Effective communication with our customers
At BITO, we value clear communication and comprehensive advice. Whether you are planning or building a new, fully equipped logistics centre or require an efficient order picking solution – transparent communication with you is a matter of honour and loyalty for us. We are thoroughly convinced that the best solutions come about through constructive dialogue that places your needs and requirements at the centre of our attention. Transparent communication is the key to customised solutions.
BITO Warranty
We offer our customers a comprehensive BITO warranty for all products and services. As a renowned manufacturer of material handling and storage equipment, we are fully committed to delivering premium products and services. The BITO brand name is synonymous with outstanding quality and reliability.
Broad range of accessories
Our BITO online shop offers the entire range of warehousing products from bins and containers, shelving and racking, in-house transport systems, LEO AGVs and matching accessories. Among the range of accessories are cross dividers, safety/carrying handles and feeder panels for order picking bins, wire-mesh shelf dividers, back panels, wire mesh shelves for order picking trolleys, load carrying and brake rollers for live storage racks, batteries and chargers, track tapes and markers for LEO AGVs and many more products.