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The right warehouse racking equipment helps boost your company’s safety, efficiency and cost savings, resulting in an excellent return on investment and increased revenue. Factors such as loading capacity, pallet dimensions, accessibility, facility layout and SKU velocity/throughput are key to choosing the ideal engineered storage solution for your needs. Different racking systems are ideal for different applications, so you want to choose the perfect type — or types — for your company’s unique needs.

Types of Racking Systems

Each type of warehouse racking system offers unique benefits. Consider each system’s features and advantages before choosing racking equipment:

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As one of the most common pallet-racking solutions, a selective racking system consists of sturdy columns and beams supporting heavy-duty shelves and wire decks. For additional support, you can install crossbars and pallet supports. A selective system is ideal for hand picking, carton flow and hand picking because it enables operators to pick products from shelves easily. In some applications, manufacturers or suppliers can design selective systems as double-deep solutions for 2X density.

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Push-back racking systems feature carts and rails that support pallets. This high-density solution uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) material handling approach, pushing pallets back as you load new pallets. This approach prioritizes the last product batches that enter your facility.

III. Pallet Flow

These systems enable you to load pallets from the back of a rack onto rollers, which push pallets toward the front of the rack until a row is full. This system uses a first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach, where you unload and process the first or oldest items that come into your facility before the newer items. A pallet flow system minimizes the need for forklift transport, facilitating smooth, efficient loading and unloading.

IV. Drive-Thru and Drive-In

Drive-thru and drive-in racking systems allow forklift operators to drive into storage bays and retrieve materials. A drive-thru racking system uses the FIFO approach to move inventory. With a loading opening on one side and an unloading opening on the other side, it’s perfect for maximizing storage density.

A drive-in racking system is also ideal for smaller spaces. Unlike the drive-thru system, it uses the first-in, last-out (FILO) inventory handling approach. A drive-in system features one open side for loading and picking materials.

V. ASRS/Deep Lane Shuttle

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) offer a cost-effective solution using floor-to-ceiling racking and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to optimize product density. By building vertically, these systems save space and provide advantages such as mixed-pallet picking and pallet sequencing while achieving maximum density of storage.

VI. Cantilever

Cantilever racking systems have a solid base, straight arms and vertical support beams. This design is ideal for storing long, bulky materials like lumber and pipes. The cantilever system can accommodate non-uniform, long items with greater stability than other racking systems.

How to Choose a Warehouse Racking System

You can significantly improve your operations when you know how to choose warehouse racking equipment. Consider factors such as the following before purchasing and installing a pallet storage system:

1. Loading Capacity

Choosing a racking system that can handle your facility’s product loads prevents rack collapse and potential material damage. You must avoid exceeding a rack’s weight capacity, so it’s important to purchase a racking system that can hold your heaviest loads.

Manufacturers provide a rack’s load application and rack configuration (LARC) when first installing a system to ensure safe usage. The LARC indicates the racking system’s load capacity and proper configuration. If necessary, you can contact a qualified engineer to evaluate and adjust the configuration safely.

2. Pallet Dimensions

You must also consider the size, quantity and shape of your pallet loads. The space on your pallet racks should store your pallets efficiently, helping you keep the required inventory on hand without interfering with work space. Pay close attention to a system’s rack depth before choosing the right one for your facility. A double-deep system enables you to store inventory two pallets deep, while a single-deep system enables you to store inventory one pallet deep.

3. Facility Layout and Space Optimization

With limited floor and work space, your facility layout is important. You can optimize your space with the right vertical storage solutions, so you should always talk to an expert before choosing a racking system. An experienced pallet rack provider can evaluate your operation and determine the ideal racking system to deliver the best balance of density and selectivity for your needs.

4. Material Flow and Efficiency

Your facility’s optimal racking layout also depends on material and product flow. With the right pallet storage layout, employees can efficiently perform receiving, storage, picking and shipping processes.

A FIFO approach using a pallet flow or drive-thru racking system is best if you . A LIFO approach using a push-back system is ideal for working with seasonal products, products with a high turnover rate, or products that maintain value over time. A FILO pallet storage approach using a drive-in system is an excellent option if you store a significant amount of non-perishable products and have no need to pick or process them in any particular order.

5. Accessibility

Employees must be able to access racks easily, safely and efficiently . Consider the forklift models and sizes you use before installing a racking system so you know how wide your aisles need to be. You should also consider your machinery’s capabilities. For example, deep-reach forklifts enable you to pull inventory from a double-deep selective rack system.

6. Versatility

Some warehouse products and processes require more than one type of racking system. Rather than installing multiple systems, you can invest in one versatile system that meets all of your needs.

7. Safety

Safety is the most important consideration when choosing a racking system. To ensure employee safety, you should only purchase from a reputable company that manufactures durable, structurally sound systems. Sturdy steel construction is best because it enables racks to support various product types and weights.

Your racking supplier should also ensure that your system’s design and layout leave enough room for fire sprinklers and trusses. This will help your facility meet state and local codes.

8. Budget

While staying within your budget may be a priority, you should also consider a racking system’s return on investment. Spending more on a high-quality system upfront can help you save money and increase revenue in the long run.

Other Racking System Considerations

Some additional considerations you might want to assess before picking a racking system include:

New vs. Used Racking Equipment

While purchasing new racking equipment is a fantastic option if your budget allows, a used racking system can help you save money. A used system may have a lower resale value than a new system, but it can provide the durability, safety and efficiency you need while staying within your budget. Whether you invest in a new or used system, purchasing from a reputable supplier ensures you receive quality pallet racking equipment.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for your pallet racking system’s safety and longevity. Choose a reputable vendor with extensive installation experience to install, maintain and repair your racking equipment.

Future-Proofing Your Warehouse

Your pallet racking solutions should continue supporting your business as it grows. A modular racking system such as a shelving-supported mezzanine allows you to increase capacity or rearrange your layout as necessary without replacing your entire system.

Contact Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ for Your Warehouse Racking Needs

Choosing the right racking system from a reputable supplier is essential to creating a safe, accessible and efficient warehouse floor. Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ sells, installs and services high-quality pallet racking systems to meet your needs.

Our experienced team can help you choose the ideal system for your facility, products and processes so you have a storage solution you can depend on. Contact us to learn more about our products and services and how we can help you optimize your vertical storage.