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What Is Pick Rate in Warehousing? | Efficiency Tips & Strategies

If you work in warehousing, you know that pick rate is important. But what is pick rate?

Put simply, it’s a measure of how many items are picked per hour. A high pick rate means that items are being picked quickly and efficiently. A low pick rate indicates that there are some bottlenecks in the picking process.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what pick rate is and why it’s so important in warehousing. We’ll also offer some tips on how to improve your pick rate.

Why is Pick Rate Important?

Pick rate is important because it directly impacts the efficiency of your warehouse operation. A high pick rate means that items are moving through the warehouse quickly and efficiently. This, in turn, reduces costs and improves customer satisfaction. A low pick rate, on the other hand, indicates that there are some bottlenecks in the picking process. This can lead to higher costs and lower customer satisfaction.

Why Pick Rate is A Good measure of Efficiency

The pick rate is a good measure of warehouse efficiency for several reasons. First, it takes into account the number of picks per hour, which is a key metric for measuring productivity. Second, it also factors in the accuracy of those picks. A high pick rate indicates that a warehouse is able to complete a high volume of picks accurately and efficiently. Finally, the pick rate is also a good predictor of other measures of warehouse performance, such as order fulfilment rates and customer satisfaction levels. Therefore, by focusing on improving the pick rate, warehouses can improve their overall efficiency and effectiveness.

What Factors Impact Pick Rate Efficiency?

There are many factors that impact pick rate efficiency in warehouses. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. The number of SKUs.

(stock keeping units) handled by the warehouse. The more SKUs there are, the more time it takes to find and pick the right one.

2. The location of items.

within the warehouse. If items are not well organized, it takes longer to find them and pick them.

3. The type of items being picked.

Some items are harder to find and pick than others.

4. The picking method used.

Some methods are faster than others.

5. The training and experience of the pickers.

Well-trained and experienced pickers can pick items faster than those who are not.

6. The technology used by the warehouse.

Some warehouses use technology that helps pickers find and pick items more quickly.

7. The layout of the warehouse.

A well-designed warehouse layout can help pickers find items more quickly and move around the warehouse more easily.

By taking all of these factors into account, warehouses can improve their pick rate efficiency and operate more smoothly and efficiently.

What Is a Good Pick Rate for Warehouse?

There’s no easy answer when it comes to determining what makes a good pick rate for warehouse. Every facility is different, and what works well in one may not be as successful in another. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you gauge whether your pick rate is where it should be.

To start, it’s important to understand how your pick rate is calculated. This varies depending on the type of inventory you’re working with, but generally speaking, it’s based on the number of items picked per hour. This calculation can be further broken down into the number of items picked per minute or per second, but for most warehouses, the hourly rate is used.

Next, you need to consider your average order size. If you’re working with large orders, it’s going to take longer to fill them, and your pick rate will be lower as a result. On the other hand, if you’re working with smaller orders, you should be able to fill them more quickly and your pick rate will be higher.

Finally, you need to think about the layout of your warehouse. If it’s well-organised and items are easy to find, your pickers will be able to work more quickly and efficiently. However, if your warehouse is cluttered and disorganised, it will take longer for your pickers to find the items they need, and your pick rate will suffer as a result.

Ultimately, there’s no magic number that determines what makes a good pick rate for warehouse. It’s important to consider all of the factors mentioned above and tailor your expectations accordingly. With that said, a pick rate of around 80-100 items per hour is generally considered to be good, but it really depends on the specific circumstances of your operation.

How to Reduce Picking Errors

Picking errors can be costly for warehouses, leading to decreased productivity and increased expenses. There are a few keyways to reduce picking errors, including:

  1. Implementing an order-picking system
  2. Training employees on proper picking techniques
  3. Utilising technology to track orders and inventory levels
  4. Conducting regular audits of the picking process
  5. Encouraging employee feedback on the picking process

 

By taking these steps, warehouses can reduce the number of picking errors and improve their overall efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Warehouse is a powerful KPI to measure warehouse efficiency, profitability, and improvements over time. Understanding bottlenecks in the manual processes or picking can help to cut down on errors and ensure that they are operating a peak efficiency all year round.

One Warehousing is Australia’s leading provider of 3PL and warehousing – offering businesses of all shapes and sizes streamlined logistics services including warehousing, storage, picking and packing, inventory management, and distribution. To learn more about how One Warehousing can increase your pick rate efficiency, get in touch with the team today.