Flow storage systems are the ideal solution for distributing dairy products: high turnover volumes are achieved using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle. Flow storage
systems are also compact - and this saves energy costs in temperature-controlled warehouses.
|  | Distributing more products faster
Triggered by Austria's entry into the EU, the country's dairy products industry underwent a complete restructuring process. Tirol Milch, the largest dairy in the
Innsbruck region, was forced to diversify its product range. This meant that a new distribution centre was needed to meet the logistics requirements for faster distribution of
more products in a larger marketing area.
SSI Schäfer planned the system and installed the racking structure. Interroll supplied the roller track modules for the flow storage lanes.
FIFO, gravity and other cost savers
Dairy products are perishable and can only be stored according to the FIFO principle - one of the functional benefits of flow storage systems arising from their structural
design. Products are entered on one side of the lanes and taken out on the other.
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The investment cost is relatively low for Tirol Milch since the single-product stocking of the lanes does not require a complicated stock management system. The flow storage lanes
are made up of roller tracks with a gradient of 4%. The pallets are moved by gravity: the system requires no external energy source and, with no motorized components, it is
maintenance-free.
Conventional industrial forklift trucks are all that are needed to service the lanes, and a hand pallet truck suffices for the lowest level. This not only saves costs, it reduces
the amount of space required. This is particularly important for Tirol Milch because the warehouse has to be kept at a constant temperature of 5°C. Compact storage space means
low energy costs.
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| | A clean solution
At Tirol Milch, 1,200 pallet places are arranged on four levels, each with 30 lanes. To ensure problem-free cleaning, the hand pallet truck unloading module serving the bottom
storage level is removable, and the following roller track modules can be hinged back.
This makes the floor fully accessible for cleaning and enables Tirol Milch to maintain its extremely high hygiene standards.
Flow storage in dairies: not a unique case
The decision makers are happy with the solution - despite diversification, material flow has been significantly accelerated and the reliability of order picking improved. The
warehouse, which went into operation in 1998, is currently being expanded: Tirol Milch requires additional storage space to
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| | Interroll Speed Controller
• Safely and reliably controls pallet speed through the flow storage lane
• Fully integrated into the roller
• Pallet weight up to 1,200 kg
• Maximum speed 0.3 m/s
• Higher weight increases braking effect
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