FIFO Warehouse Management Method: What it is and when it is used | AR Racking Inc (2024)

The FIFO (First in, First out) inventory management method is, together with the LIFO method (Last in, First out), a very widely used tool in warehouse management.

The definition and operation of the FIFO method in industrial storage has to do with the way that goods are moved and is a simple concept: first in, first out. In other words, the first good or unit load to enter the warehouse is the first one out.

Specific industrial storage systems that facilitate this type of process are developed for this, both in operational and management terms.

WHEN IS THE FIFO METHOD USED?

The FIFO method is typically used to manage perishable product stock, with an expiry date, with the most common being food, medicine and cosmetic products.

It is also a common management method for companies that store products that may become obsolete or “go out of style” relatively quickly, such as technological products (home appliances, computers, etc.), footwear and textiles.

The ultimate goal of FIFO is to achieve an excellent stock turnover in the warehouse, giving priority to the output of products that have been stored the longest and can spoil or become obsolete.

FIFO type stock management is not only applicable in a warehouse environment, but is also used daily to manage the product in supermarkets and consumer outlets.

FIFO Warehouse Management Method: What it is and when it is used | AR Racking Inc (1)

FIFO METHOD ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS

Carrying out warehouse stock management with the FIFO method has the following principal advantages:

  • Perfect stock turnover, which ensures that the first product to enter the pallet racking system will be the first one out.
  • Priority to the output of the oldest or obsolete products, or products with the earliest expiry date.
  • This prevents the partial or total loss of value of the products stored or their devaluation due to their date of manufacture.

FIFO Warehouse Management Method: What it is and when it is used | AR Racking Inc (2)

WHAT STORAGE SYSTEMS ALLOW FIFO MANAGEMENT?

As shown, the use of FIFO warehouse management is widespread, so a series of industrial storage systems especially adapted to this method have been developed.

These pallet racking systems must share a common feature, which is that all of them must have an aisle for loading goods and another for unloading them. In other words, the loading and unloading aisle must be different, as in the case of Drive In or Push-Back systems.

The following storage systems have this common feature which allows warehouse management by the FIFO method:

Live Pallet Racking (FIFO):

  • High-density live storage system for pallets. The palletised load moves along a bed of rollers from the loading to the unloading area.

Drive Through - Compact Pallet Racking System:

  • Compact storage system which reduces the number of work aisles and which, unlike the Drive In, has an aisle for loading and another for unloading the goods. For the proper functioning of the FIFO method in this system, once the aisle has been loaded and completed, you must completely unload the aisle and leave it empty to begin the loading process again, to ensure that no pallet ends up obsolete.

AR Shuttle racking systems for pallets:

  • High-density semi-automatic storage system which uses motorised pallet shuttles that transport the load autonomously inside the racking, from the loading position to the last available position at the back. To implement the FIFO method, you must load the goods on one side and unload them on the other.

Carton Flow picking system:

  • High-density live storage system for boxes and light products. The product moves along rollers from the loading to the unloading area.

If you need any advice on deciding which AR Racking LIFO storage system is best suited to the needs of your company and warehouse, please send us your query here and our professionals will advise you without any obligation.

FIFO Warehouse Management Method: What it is and when it is used | AR Racking Inc (2024)

FAQs

FIFO Warehouse Management Method: What it is and when it is used | AR Racking Inc? ›

The definition and operation of the FIFO method in industrial storage has to do with the way that goods are moved and is a simple concept: first in, first out. In other words, the first good or unit load to enter the warehouse is the first one out.

What is the FIFO method of warehouse management? ›

A: First In First Out (FIFO) warehousing is an inventory control method where the first items to come into the warehouse are the first items to leave. This method is beneficial in avoiding obsolescence or expiry of products, thereby preventing accumulation of unsellable inventory.

What is the FIFO method used in? ›

FIFO stands for “First In, First Out” and is an inventory accounting method used to track the cost of goods sold. This method assumes that the first items purchased (or produced) are the first items sold and that the cost of those items is the cost of goods sold.

When should FIFO be used? ›

With FIFO, when you calculate the ending inventory value, you're accounting for the natural flow of inventory throughout your supply chain. This is especially important when inflation is increasing because the most recent inventory would likely cost more than the older inventory.

What is First In, First Out racking? ›

This system uses the FIFO (first in, first out) method, where the loading area is at the opposite end of the unloading area and the goods are transported through this space thanks to the roller beds that form a rail with an incline.

What are the 4 steps of FIFO? ›

2.7: Process Cost Demonstration (FIFO Method)
  • Step 1: Physical Flow of Units. ...
  • Step 2: Equivalent Units of Production. ...
  • Step 3: Cost per Equivalent Units. ...
  • Step 4: Assign Costs to Units Completed and Ending Work in Process Inventory. ...
  • Step 5: Reconcile Costs.
May 10, 2022

What is a FIFO example? ›

FIFO is calculated by adding the cost of the earliest inventory items sold. For example, if 10 units of inventory were sold, the price of the first ten items bought as inventory is added together. This equals the cost of goods sold. Depending on the valuation method chosen, the cost of these 10 items may differ.

What are the disadvantages of FIFO? ›

What Are the Disadvantages of FIFO? The FIFO method can result in higher income tax for a business to pay, because the gap between costs and profit is wider (than with LIFO). A company also needs to be careful with the FIFO method in that it is not overstating profit.

Why do companies use the FIFO method? ›

FiFo means "First-In, First-Out" and is a method used in inventory management to ensure that the first items entering an inventory are the first ones to leave when it comes time for shipping or sale. This helps to prevent wasting resources on old products and ensures that customers receive the freshest stock possible.

When using the FIFO method correctly? ›

Newer foods should be put at the back of the shelf behind older foods, leaving the oldest food in the most accessible place near the front of the shelf. This system makes it easy for food workers to find the oldest food and to use it first when that ingredient is needed.

What are the rules for FIFO? ›

First In, First Out (FIFO) is an inventory management and valuation method where raw materials and goods produced or bought first are sold, used, or disposed of first. For inventory accounting and tax purposes, FIFO assigns the cost of the oldest inventory for the cost of goods sold (COGS) in the income statement.

What companies should use FIFO? ›

The Downside of Using LIFO In Inventory Valuation
Accounting MethodNet Income ImpactPreferred Industries
FIFOIncreasesGroceries, Technology, Horticulture
LIFODecreasesAutomobiles, Fuel, Jewelry
May 21, 2024

For what kind of items is FIFO most frequently used? ›

Food storage systems such as FIFO are most useful in businesses that deal with common food items and perishable food items such as time/temperature control for safety or TCS food. These inventory items require a stricter monitoring process to ensure food safety.

What is the first step of the FIFO rule? ›

When implementing the FIFO rule, the first step is to develop a labelling system that helps kitchen staff quickly identify which foodstuffs, including ingredients and cooked meals, are to be used first.

What is a FIFO rack? ›

Understanding the FIFO (first in first out) Rack System. First in First out (FIFO) rack management system allows the first placed inventory to be moved first. These flow racks are ideal for moving fresh and frozen food items, drugs, and medicines in sequential manner.

Why is stack last in first out? ›

The goal of a stack data structure, is to store items in such a way that the most recent item is found first. It only provides access to the top element in the stack (the most recent element). Thus, items are processed in last-in, first-out (LIFO) order.

What are the three types of FIFO? ›

Other names are often used: Independent Clock FIFO vs. Common Clock FIFO or Asynchronous FIFO vs. Synchronous FIFO. The "baseline FIFO" that was presented on the previous page is a dual-clock FIFO.

What is FIFO and LIFO in warehouse management? ›

The Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method assumes that the last unit to arrive in inventory or more recent is sold first. The First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method assumes that the oldest unit of inventory is the sold first.

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