Storing products according to FIFO principles
The BITO product range includes a wide variety of shelving and racking designed to implement FIFO.
Boltless shelving
Boltless shelving is perfect for storing a vast range of individual items or smaller unit loads that can be picked by hand with direct access to each item. BITO Boltless shelving is adaptable, efficient and versatile – ideal for storing individual items, bulk goods in bins and small unit loads that can be handled manually. Shelving can be used as archive shelving for files, supply shelving complete with bins and containers and as industrial shelving for a wide range of purposes in production or warehouses. BITO Shelving is easy to assemble without nuts and bolts and it is also very cost-efficient. With suitable accessories and additional components, the BITO shelving system is a practical solution for storing unit loads in any industry.
Kanban shelving and supply racks
Kanban shelving can be designed as a flow rack with roller tracks or as shelving with (usually) inclined shelves. Kanban shelving in combination with Kanban bins prevents out-of-stock situations and triggers notifications to replenish. The Kanban system helps to create a continuous flow of materials, which is essential in production and order picking processes. Parts are provided in FIFO order. In Kanban shelving from BITO, two bins are placed one behind the other on a shelf level or a flow level. After the last item has been removed from the bin at the picking side, the empty bin is pulled out from the shelving and the second bin moves to the front. The Kanban card (RFID tag) is removed from the first bin to trigger the ordering process. The shelving unit is restocked from the rear with a bin containing replenishment supplies (FIFO principle). BITO Kanban shelving features ultra-flat shelves with a height of just 20 mm. As a result, a shelving unit can now accommodate ten shelves in height instead of eight, which increases the storage capacity by 25 per cent. A Kanban solution can also be realised using BITO EMB European size containers in modular dimensions which have been especially designed for shelving with inclined shelves and carton live storage racks.
Pallet live storage racking
Carton or pallet live storage racking is particularly suited for items with a medium to fast turnover, as they help to increase picking performance. An additional increase in picking performance can be achieved through partial or full automation. The goods are rotated in FIFO order to enable adherence to best-before dates, which is particularly important in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As a result, efficiency improves considerably and space utilisation in the warehouse is optimised. Goods are loaded and retrieved in separate aisles which contributes to organised processes and minimises travel times for order pickers. In addition, the error rate is reduced as each lane is dedicated to a single reference.
Drive-through racking
Goods are stored in FIFO order in drive-though racking. It is therefore particularly suited for the food and pharmaceutical industries, where expiry dates must be observed. As products can be immediately identified and accessed, drive-through racking is also suitable for temperature-controlled storage. Drive-through racking, which can be loaded from one side while goods are picked from the other, achieve high throughput rates. This racking type is often used in industries that require a high storage density and quick access to products, such as the food and beverage industry or cold stores. Drive-through racking is ideal for high-density storage. With a reduced number of aisles, this solution offers a very high storage capacity and excellent space utilisation.
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 drastically reduces the travel distances of the forklift truck. 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.
FIFO stock rotation with BITO solutions
BITO provides the best solution for implementing a FIFO strategy in your company
First In - First Out (FIFO) principle
In a FIFO inventory management system, goods that are put away first are also retrieved first. This storage strategy is used in many industries where the storage duration of a product and adherence to best-before dates are crucial. Different types of racking can used for implementing FIFO storage, such as boltless shelving and Kanban racks, live storage racking and shuttle-serviced pallet racking. Replenishment goods are usually fed into the shelving or racking at the rear side, while they are retrieved at the front. Separating loading from retrieval leads to more organised and efficient warehouse processes. The FIFO principle is often used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, but also in production areas (e.g. Kanban racking).
Advantages and disadvantages of the FIFO strategy
The FIFO strategy has many advantages, such as compliance with best-before dates, a uniform storage duration, less waste through spoilage of goods, immediate overview of inventory levels and stock values and it helps to connect work areas in the warehouse and in production. Disadvantages may lie in the complexity of the system and a potentially smaller storage capacity.
Advantages
- Adherence to best-before dates: Particularly in the food and pharma where product expiry dates have to be observed, the FIFO strategy allows products to be utilised in the order in which they are received.
- FIFO storage prevents goods from perishing: older products are sold or consumed first. This minimises the risk of product spoilage or overlooking expiry dates.
- Accurate inventory assessment: The FIFO strategy leads to a more accurate assessment of inventories and the value of goods sold, especially in times of rising prices.
- Integration into work areas: By implementing the FIFO system, various work areas of a warehouse, such as delivery and order picking, can be linked.
Disadvantages
- Complexity of the system: Applying the FIFO strategy requires close monitoring of stock levels, which can lead to a higher level of complexity in the stock management system.
- Potentially higher capital requirement: When prices rise, it is more expensive to buy the same, previously cheaper, items.
- Implementing the FIFO system requires access to both sides of a racking. The warehouse layout should therefore be designed accordingly. In some cases, the FIFO method can lead to a loss in storage capacity.
What are the benefits of a FIFO storage solution from BITO?
BITO is the competence leader in FIFO storage
For many decades, we have been recognised for our expertise in the field of storage systems and warehouse equipment. Our product portfolio includes everything from suitable transport and storage containers to automated storage systems. We have established ourselves as a market leader in material storage and handling, particularly in the field of FIFO storage. With the PROflow system, for example, we offer a pallet flow rack that optimally puts the FIFO principle into practice.
The BITO Pallet live storage system “PROflow Active” comes with an additional feature: intelligent, power-driven rollers. They assist in starting up pallets at the beginning of a lane and slow them down in case they are gaining too much speed. They also help to maintain an even pallet spacing to avoid damage and ensure a high level of product availability.
BITO is a specialist with long-standing expertise in the field of FIFO material storage and handling
Thanks to decades of experience in the development and implementation of solutions for almost any industry, BITO can draw on a wealth of expertise. As a specialist in warehousing logistics, storage and handling equipment and inventory management, our activities go beyond manufacturing all products in our own plants and operating an e-commerce platform. Our expertise also includes planning a FIFO strategy together with you and implementing it effectively with the right material storage and handling equipment.
Premium 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 highest standards of technology and environmental compatibility.
Kanban shelving and supply racks enable efficient stock replenishment in production and storage areas
The BITO range includes shelving as well as bins and containers for Kanban systems. In Kanban shelving from BITO, two bins are placed one behind the other on a shelf or a flow level. After the last item has been removed from the bin at the picking side, the empty bin is pulled out from the shelving and the second bin moves to the front. The Kanban card (RFID tag) is removed from the first bin to trigger the ordering process. The shelving is reloaded from the rear with a new bins containing replenishment parts. BITO Kanban shelving features ultra-flat shelves with a height of just 20 mm. As a result, a shelving unit can now accommodate ten shelves in height instead of eight, which increases the storage capacity by 25 per cent. A Kanban solution can also be realised using BITO EMB European size containers in modular dimensions which have been especially designed for shelving with inclined shelves and carton live storage racks.
We manufacture our own products and also manage large-scale projects.
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 FIFO project that meets both your individual requirements and the specific characteristics of the country in question.
Comprehensive advice and close cooperation
We develop customised solutions for your FIFO project in close cooperation with you. At BITO, we value honest and transparent communication. We are on hand to advise you right from the start and work closely with you to find the optimum solution. We are thoroughly convinced that outstanding solutions are created through intensive dialogue with our customers.
BITO is synonymous with quality and reliability
We offer our customers a comprehensive BITO warranty for all 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.
Broad range of accessories
We offer a wide range of components and accessories for FIFO solutions in our BITO Online Shop.