Abstract: A method of fulfilling orders by making orders available in order units by picking from product units in a storage facility that includes a routed product order picking area, and an automated storage and retrieval racking area that is upstream from the routed products order picking area and connected thereto by a routing conveyor. The method includes reassigning order fulfillment of orders requiring products from product units requiring many exchanges between adjoining storage racks from a source storage rack to an adjacent storage rack via cross conveyance locations in the storage racks themselves to reach a destination storage rack, where the orders are reassigned to the routed products order picking area for parallel order fulfillment such that bottlenecks within the automated storage and retrieval racking area can be prevented or at least decreased.

Abstract: A method of assembling pallets 14, 20, 28 containing first stock units 50 for use in the fulfillment of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of first pallets 14 each containing a quantity of the first stock units 50 and moving a portion of the first stock units 50 from at least one of the first pallets 14 onto one or more second pallets 20 in establishing desired quantities of the first stock units 50 in the first and second pallets 14, 20 for use in the fulfillment of the stock orders. In one form, the sequence of order fulfillment is controlled to increase the quantity of first stock units on the first pallets used in fulfilling the stock orders. A distribution system and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage rack beam includes top and bottom flanges and at least one web that interconnects the flanges. The web includes at least one stiffening formation arranged to stiffen an intermediate region of the web along at least a substantial portion of its length so as to resist lateral loading applied to the beam. The racking beam may take various forms, including first and second U-shaped sections in opposed abutting relationship, or formed as a closed S-shaped profile. Also disclosed is a storage rack beam that has a vertical loading capacity and a horizontal loading capacity, wherein at least part of the horizontal loading capacity is independent of the vertical loading capacity applied to the beam.

Abstract: A method of assembling pallets 14, 20, 28 containing first stock units 50 for use in the fulfilment of stock orders, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of first pallets 14 each containing a quantity of the first stock units 50 and moving a portion of the first stock units 50 from at least one of the first pallets 14 onto one or more second pallets 20 in establishing desired quantities of the first stock units 50 in the first and second pallets 14, 20 for use in the fulfilment of the stock orders. In one form, the sequence of order fulfilment is controlled to increase the quantity of first stock units on the first pallets used in fulfilling the stock orders. A distribution system and control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protector for a structural member includes a body having a front portion and opposite side portions that extend from at least part of the front portion to define a channel. The protector is locatable over the structural member so that at least a portion of that member is received within the channel. In one form, the side portions include an inwardly turned lip that defines a constricted throat of the channel. The protector may also include bearing members which are arranged to clamp onto the front base of the structural member. A two part protector is also disclosed with one part forming a base assembly for the structural member. The protector has particular application in storage racking systems and also disclosed are assemblies for use in the support structure of a storage racking system that incorporates the protector, and associated storage racking systems including such assemblies.