Kanban rack

A Kanban rack is a special type of warehouse or production rack designed for visual inventory management according to the Kanban principle. It often consists of several levels with inclined roller rails or roller tracks, so that bins automatically roll forward when stock is removed.

Kanban is a system for managing the production or workflow and was developed by Taiichi Ohno at Toyota as a production system. He sought an inventory management system that would allow achieving a high level of production. The concept is, therefore, widely used in lean manufacturing and just-in-time production.

The Kanban system operates based on the demand, the 'pull' principle instead of 'push.' This means that products or work are replenished only when there is actual demand. The system ensures that the right products are available at the right time, preventing waste and overproduction.

Kanban racks are applied in various environments, such as production and supply chain settings. The system is based on continuous improvement and the pursuit of optimal flow of work or materials. Therefore, it is a popular method for improving efficiency and reducing waste.

Besides being an effective tool for managing an entire production system, it also provides an excellent way to initiate improvements and kaizen initiatives. As the number of physical or digital Kanban cards and the amount of work in circulation decrease, problem areas and bottlenecks become clearly visible.

A Kanban rack offers numerous advantages for streamlined stock management. The system prevents both stock shortages and overproduction by providing a clear and visual way of working. This provides instant insight into material consumption and minimises manual stock management. Furthermore, Kanban racks ensure efficient use of space and walking routes in the warehouse. They fit perfectly into LEAN and Just-in-Time processes, where continuous improvement and waste minimisation are key.

An example of Kanban application in replenishment is the two-bin system, also known as 'Two Bin.' In this system, the work inventory is placed in the first bin for production, while the second bin acts as a reserve stock. When the first bin is empty, the Kanban card is taken from the bin as a signal for replenishment.

As a result, the second bin slides or rolls forward. After replenishing the stock, the system is back in balance. When the second bin is also empty, the replenishment process starts again using the Kanban card that is always present in the bin.

Kanban racks are widely used in sectors where overview, speed and efficiency are crucial. They are particularly suitable for production and assembly environments working according to LEAN Manufacturing, as well as in the automotive and electronics industries.

High throughput warehouses and medical device logistics centres also benefit from the structured inventory management offered by Kanban. In addition, Kanban racks are ideal for e-commerce and fulfilment environments with fixed order structures and repetitive processes.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a problem that can cause significant damage to sensitive electronic components. To prevent this damage, ESD racks can be used. ESD-safe components are crucial to the effectiveness of these racks, as they ensure that electronic components remain protected and static electricity is safely dissipated.

At Multitube, we use various ESD-safe components for our ESD racking systems, such as ESD roller rails and ESD castors. By integrating these components, your products are optimally protected against electrostatic discharge during transport and storage.

Achieve efficient material flows with Multitube's Kanban racks following the FIFO principle.

• Steel plate shelves, optionally with dividers
• Infinitely adjustable
• Height and angle flexibly adaptable
• Optionally mobile
• Expandable with add-on sections and roller rails
• Compact design and easy assembly
• Sufficient and adjustable intermediate heights and channel widths.