02 May Keg Flow Racking Guide
Kegs present a storage challenge for beer wholesalers, distributors, and craft breweries. Their round shape makes them incompatible with many traditional storage solutions, yet storing them on the floor is inefficient and uses valuable floor space. As the craft brewery industry grows, the number of stock-keeping units (SKUs) and kegs each distributor has will increase, making efficient racking essential.
Keg flow racks meet this unique need by effectively storing these products while maximizing space, increasing pick faces, and improving product accessibility. Twinlode Automation integrates keg racks for breweries to manage multiple products with ease.
What Is a Keg Flow Rack?
A keg flow rack is a specialized storage rack for various sizes of beer kegs. Steel rollers are placed at an angle between beams. When the keg at the front is selected, the gravity-driven system manually slides the rest of the kegs down into place.
The keg rack has several lanes with dividers, and each lane has a different SKU to organize the beer varieties. Various types of beer can be held in inventory at a time. This solution can store kegs of multiple sizes, including:
- Sixth barrels
- Half barrels
- Slim barrels
- Slim quarter barrels
- Quarter barrels
This variety makes keg flow racks ideal for breweries and wholesalers that must accommodate several SKUs or have limited storage space. The racking can store several SKUs at a time and has high storage density.
Many styles and sizes exist, including standalone units and racks that can be integrated into existing pallet racking. Keg racks can be set up as last-in, first-out (LIFO) or first-in, first-out (FIFO), depending on the operational setup or requirements.
How to Choose a Keg Rack
Keg flow racking is built with high-quality structural or roll-formed steel and can be added to a new or existing rack for an affordable keg storage upgrade. Breweries and distributors can choose their ideal keg storage solution that meets their goals, addresses their business needs, and accommodates their variables. The primary considerations include:
- Keg size: For breweries that stock various keg sizes, the keg flow racking should be tailored to the keg size it will store. Keg racks from Twinlode Automation fit sixth barrel kegs, one of the most common keg sizes, among others. Most applications have up to two levels of keg flow to accommodate the weight of the kegs.
- Keg storage lane width: Lanes keep the stored kegs organized. The lane width must accommodate the keg’s size, which is determined by the type. An efficient keg storage system uses only the space needed to fit the kegs without waste.
- Number of keg lanes: Breweries need to determine the number of lanes they need in their keg flow rack based on the keg size, number of levels, number of SKUs, inventory size, and other factors. Breweries can use this information to find a rack system that meets these requirements. Having the correct number of lanes required for inventory can help breweries to meet their business goals.
- Range of SKUs: Each SKU in a brewery is unique, with some having a higher product turnover than others. Breweries should assess the storage requirements of each SKU to set up keg racking that enhances storage and picking processes. For example, some SKUs may be stored in the keg flow rack, whereas others are kept in full pallets on the floor. The goal is to make keg storage fast and efficient.
- Roller width: The correct roller width depends on the keg’s size. The roller should be 0.5 inches wider than the keg’s diameter.
- Side rail height: The keg sits low in the lane, and the side rails guide the keg as it moves. The side rail’s height depends on the keg’s height and size.
Benefits of Keg Racks
Keg flow racking offers several advantages for breweries and wholesalers, including:
- Improved efficiency: Keg racks significantly improve picking efficiency, as SKUs are organized in separate lanes. The several pick faces allow the brewery to manage many SKUs.
- Maximum storage density: Keg racking configuration can go up to four levels for maximum density. Keg racking provides improved storage density with more pick faces than traditional pallet storage, maximizing your warehouse space. The superior storage density and product flow allow for efficient barrel keg storage.
- Better accessibility: Keg racking keeps products easily accessible from the front or back of the racking unit to support FIFO or LIFO product retrieval systems.
- Cost and time savings: Keg storage addresses how to move products quickly and efficiently in the warehouse environment, saving time and money.
- Durability: The keg racks implemented by Twinlode Automation are built with high-quality structural or roll-formed steel.
- Safe and comfortable handling: Kegs index to the front of the rack for safer, more convenient handling.
Contact Us About Keg Rack Systems
Keg racks are purpose-built solutions for organizing and storing kegs efficiently, promoting high storage density and accessibility for all product SKUs. Twinlode Automation has years of experience implementing keg racks in breweries. We also offer professional services such as consultation, design, and implementation for racking systems.
To learn more about keg storage, contact us online.
Contact Us About Keg Rack Systems
Keg racks are purpose-built solutions for organizing and storing kegs efficiently, promoting high storage density and accessibility for all product SKUs. Twinlode Automation has years of experience implementing keg racks in breweries. We also offer professional services such as consultation, design, and implementation for racking systems.
To learn more about keg storage, contact us online.