Three Keys To Successful Push Back Applications:

• First-In First-Out Stock Rotation (FIFO)
• High Occupancy
• Random Storage

These three keys can be easily achieved by following these simple rules :

RULE #1 Select Products to be stored that have at least 3 times the lane depth in average pallets in inventory. The following table will yield occupancy rates of 80% - 90%

PALLETS PER PRODUCT	LANE DEPTH
1 - 4	2 DEEP PUSH BACK
5 - 8	2 - 3 DEEP PUSH BACK
9 - 12	3 - 4 DEEP PUSH BACK
13 - 16	3 - 4 DEEP PUSH BACK
17 - 20	4 - 5 DEEP PUSH BACK
OVER 20	5 - 9 DEEP PUSH BACK

RULE #2 Never replenish a partially filled lane with a new lot code of the existing product or a different product. As a result there is a minimum of three to five lanes available for any one product. Therefore, when a new lot code is introduced, a new lane is selected so as to not block access to an existing lot code.

RULE #3 When retrieving loads for shipping or for use within the company, be sure to pick from the oldest part lane first. Picking from the oldest part lane will automatically rotate your stock while freeing up empty lanes. This will ensure FIFO stock rotation.

RULE #4 Use random storage to minimize honeycombing. This will enable you to maximize your storage facility. This will allow storage requirements for any item to grow and shrink as necessary. Fixed locations would require storage to be preset for every item at its peak. Exceptions could be made for bottom level case picking with fixed locations.