What is a picking container?
Picking containers are basically crates, boxes, or containers with or without lids that are used to store and pick similar goods and products in different quantities. The material, size, and shape of these picking containers depend on the type and quantity of items to be picked. In most cases, the containers are made of plastic (polypropylene). Storage technology and racking systems enable the automatic transport of picking containers.
Each picking order is assigned one (or more) picking containers (loading equipment) for picking.
The customer order is picked into the container. As a rule, each picking container has a unique container number (barcode). The order number and container identification are linked for the duration of the picking process. The link between the picking order and the container ID is important, especially when item units are picked at different picking stations.
The picking container in logistics
The main function of picking using suitable containers is to work as economically as possible. Picking equipment, picking technology, picking systems, and picking methods are essential components in optimizing picking.
In addition to order picking (goods for a customer order), picking containers with identical items (material for assembly kits; preliminary products) are used in production and at assembly workstations.
Depending on the industry (wholesale, manufacturing), these containers can be equipped with custom inlays for specific products and goods. Various manufacturers offer special designs, such as space-saving containers, which have different dimensions/internal dimensions compared to standard picking containers.
