How Does ASRS Handle FIFO and FEFO in a Food Processing Warehouse?
September 22, 2026
Key Takeaways:
- How do inventory methods such as FIFO and FEFO control stock rotation and reduce waste in a food processing warehouse
- How ASRS is integrated with computer-controlled systems, eliminating errors and resulting in better warehouse operations
Summary
This blog discusses how Automated Storage Solutions such as the ASRS manage inventory in a food processing warehouse and how inventory methods such as FIFO and FEFO aid in controlling stock rotation and reduce wastage.
What are FIFO and FEFO?
FIFO (First In, First Out) is commonly used to manage inventory in a warehouse. Whereas FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) is used for perishable goods such as dairy products, vegetables, etc. This method ensures that the product that expires first moves out of the inventory first. This efficiently controls stock rotation and results in less wastage of stored goods.
How does ASRS manage FIFO and FEFO in a food processing warehouse?
WMS (Warehouse Management System) and WCS (Warehouse Control System) are the two counterparts for ASRS. They are computer-controlled systems that reduce human intervention, eliminate human errors, and manage storage and retrieval in a warehouse. ASRS uses shuttles or cranes to move pallets or totes in high-density storage areas.
When an item enters the warehouse, it is scanned via a barcode or RFID. The WMS logs it in the inventory record with entry and expiry dates. The items are stored in a location within the ASRS matrix based on the dates. When an order is placed, based on the data stored in the system, the items that came in first (FIFO) or the items that expire first are moved out. The shuttle or cranes go only to that designated location to retrieve the goods.
Benefits include:
- Operators need not search for labels; the items are already stored according to the date of entry and expiry
- Optimises space, leading to a smaller footprint for storage
- Less human intervention, resulting in reduced labour costs and risks
- Easier traceability and inventory accuracy
- Reduced wastage of stored items
- Proper stock rotation cycle
Conclusion
Efficient storage and retrieval in a food processing warehouse is critical. With the right inventory strategy and automated storage solution such as the ASRS, better warehouse operations and improved productivity can be achieved.
FAQs
FIFO and FEFO are inventory methods used to control stock rotation and reduce wastage in a warehouse. FIFO is First In, First Out, in which the items that come first leave the inventory first, whereas FEFO, First Expiry, First Out, is a method that moves out goods that are about to expire, such as dairy products, vegetables, etc.
With computer-controlled software systems such as WMS and WCS, each item in the warehouse is stored according to the entry date and date of expiry. After order placement, it is retrieved according to FIFO or FEFO data. Goods are stored and retrieved with shuttles and cranes.
Craftsman ASRS in a warehouse improves inventory accuracy and traceability through its integration with WMS and optimises space, resulting in a smaller footprint. With less human intervention, the storage solution eliminates human errors, leading to reduced labour costs and risks.
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