What Is an Order Picker and When Should You Use One?
Order pickers are key pieces of equipment in many warehouse operations. They are most commonly used in narrow aisle facilities, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers to stock items and to pick and deliver material needed for filling orders from storage. The question that we are addressing in this article is, when is an order picker the right machine for the job, and do you need one for your operation?
What is an order picker?
Order pickers are specialized vehicles designed to assist operators in gathering and delivering materials for order fulfillment. With these machines you can reach high storage rack levels, with or without cargo. They are particularly suited for situations where operators need to be at eye level with inventory to select specific items.
Order pickers are generally used at heights taller than the second level of racking in a warehouse or distribution center, and many models can reach as high as 30’ or more. When used correctly, these vehicles will significantly boost operator efficiency in both stocking and order picking processes to speed up your entire operation.
When to use order pickers
Order pickers are most valuable when you need to remove individual products from shelving, instead of an entire pallet. The reason is that it’s inefficient to pull down an entire pallet only to grab one or two items. If you’re continuously needing to take single products off of a rack, an order picker is a better option for you than a traditional forklift.
They also provide greater flexibility in narrow aisle situations where larger forklifts or other equipment can’t fit or effectively maneuver. They are also generally a safer and more efficient option compared to using ladders.
Here are some of the most common uses of order pickers:
- Stocking products on shelves—With operators elevated on the machine, they can quickly and easily add products to shelves.
- Picking products for fulfillment—Order pickers allow workers to grab single products to fill customer orders without removing an entire pallet.
- Organizing items in storage—Order pickers are highly maneuverable, making it simpler to organize inventory by hand, including more fragile products.
- Unloading products from storage—These machines are typically able to navigate narrow aisles, making it possible to load and unload items in confined areas.
How to choose order pickers
If you think using order pickers would make your warehouse operation more efficient and productive, then talk to our experts. We carry multiple options, including the full line from Toyota, JOEY order pickers, and task support vehicles from Big Joe. We will take a look at your current setup, recommend whether an order picker will be right for you and suggest models that would be a good fit for your operation. Our team can also provide suggestions for improving your racking to make your stocking and fulfillment process more effective.
If you have any questions about choosing an order picker or about how order pickers can be used, contact our team today!