Storage Layout

A warehouse storage layout has to be planned in a way that it accommodates an orderly flow of material. The type of flow pattern selected depends upon several factors. These factors include the function of the facility, relationship between receiving and shipping operations, and the relative size, weight, and quantity of material receipts and shipments.
The “U-flow” pattern, shown below, is useful for low or moderate storage activities. It allows the transport of material from the receiving area to storage, to order picking, and to shipping docks.



A “Through-flow” pattern emphasizes rapid and direct transfer of material from receiving to shipping and is used in high activity operations where the material does not go to intermediate storage. It is an unload-sort-reload style. This flow pattern emphasizes rapid and direct transfer of material from receiving to shipping.