Order picking has become a huge process in UK industry over the last 10 years. Distribution hubs and logistics warehouses have sprung up all over the country and we are now very reliant on the immediacy of deliveries, to all corners of Britain. Most of these hubs and warehouses use highly sophisticated order picking equipment with automated systems being affordable through the economy of scales that mass storage has provided. However, there are still many occasions where order picking just comes down to human operation of manual handling equipment. Smaller warehouses and despatch areas are often operated by workers who must manually access goods from shelving or racking systems.

Action Handling have a client who had just moved into a new purpose-built premises on the outskirts of Manchester and we were very pleased to be contacted to advise on an efficient way of allowing the order picking process to be streamlined. The client had found one of our information blogs on the internet and thought that we would be best suited to appraise the situation.

The customer used Whatsapp to send over some initial photos of the warehouse in question and then that was followed up with a visit by our sales rep who discussed the operation with the management and warehouse staff on site.

There are many standard types of order picking steps and trolleys on the market, but it was felt that a bespoke design was needed in this case to provide increased height access and an upper and lower parcel shelf that could facilitate the picking process. Initially we produced a sample for the customer to approve and then we made a few tweaks to the design to allow for some better quality wheels and castors to be fitted, which in turn allowed for smoother and easier manoeuvrability around the storage area.

A picking height of 3500mm is achievable with these steps, having a top tread height of 2000mm. The construction is formed with a combination of hollow tube and angle iron sections. The finish is in epoxy powder coating with the clients colour blue.

We are happy to report that we supplied six bespoke order picking steps for a client in a 4-week lead time and the client is now about to place an order for another 4 units as they have worked out extremely well for the operation in hand. The initial brief had expressed the need for a non-mechanical option but to facilitate fast picking from prime racking locations within easy reach, aiming to minimise forklift truck usage on small and fast-moving stock items.

The custom-designed order picking steps were tailored to meet the client's specific requirements, offering a practical solution to enhance efficiency and safety within the warehouse environment. This strategic move aligns with the client's commitment to streamlining operations and optimising workflow in their new facility.

The implementation of these bespoke order picking steps signifies a significant step forward for the customer, marking a proactive approach towards enhancing productivity and reducing reliance on traditional mechanical handling equipment. We are proud to have contributed to this milestone and look forward to supporting our client's continued success in their new location.