What is the Best Racking System for Your Warehouse?

By: Larry Rausch – Vice President of Sales and Marketing

We are often asked the age old question as to which racking system is best for certain warehouse operations. This may seem obvious enough, but there is more to it than one would think. Like other similar blogs we have posted, this information is designed to help you work through the anwers to this age of question.

First off, if you’re in charge of a plant, you know the importance of keeping everything running smoothly to maintain your production schedule and minimize downtime. Unplanned downtime leads to lost revenue and should be avoided at all costs. Selecting the right racking system can make a big difference in your bottom line, especially when labor is scarce and the price of warehouse space continues to increase.

Why Warehouse Racking?

Making the most of your space is essential. Racking systems improve the efficiency of warehouse operations by enabling more effective use of available space. Racking systems help plant managers make better use of vertical space because they can safely store materials on high shelves without risk.

Racking systems also allow warehouses to be clean and tidy, which improves efficiency and helps to prevent misplaced items. Furthermore, consistent use of these warehouse systems for storage increases pick and put-away time and improves the flexibility of existing space.

As you search for storage systems for your warehouse, it’s important to order the type of racking that will best suit the needs of your space, your product, and most importantly your workers.

Look for providers who offer several options that can be tailored to your specific warehouse space’s needs. Below are some of the most popular racking and storage systems available on the market.

Pallet Racking

There’s a reason why pallet racking is one of the most popular racking solutions on the market. This single or multi-level storage system is utilized to support high stacking or pallet loads in your warehouse. Often built from strong materials like steel, pallet racks also allow quick access to your stored materials. There are several pallet racking variations to best optimize your warehouse space for the type of storage solution you need, some of which are included below!

Carton Flow Racks

If you need even more flexibility and movement to your racking, then consider carton flow racking. They’re a type of shelving that uses gravity to its advantage for inclined runways that are loaded in the rear, with first-in-first-out access to your product. They offer strategically placed beams for creating optimal slopes for the included flock tracks and rollers. Smaller than its sibling the pallet flow system, the carton flow racks are an excellent option for lighter load cases.

Drive In Racking

If your priority is high-density storage with forklift accessibility, then look to drive in pallet racking. This cost-effective solution is cost-effective with its deep lane storage focus and removal of access aisles. Products are stored on a first-in last-out basis and can be several pallets deep depending on how much storage is needed in your warehouse.

 Selective Racking

If your team requires immediate access to products and quick loading and unloading time, then the versatility of selective pallet racking will do the trick! Directly access loads without moving every other pallet thanks to its custom build in either structural steel or roll form steel. With its

high-capacity beams for ultimate stability, it’s no wonder why these are one of the most favored racking options on the market.

 Cantilever Racking

Not all products that need to be stored are uniform or convenient in shape or weight. For longer, bulkier items like lumber, piping, and more, look to cantilever racking for heavy-duty storage shelving. They’re easy to install and space-efficient for those who need a quick solution to the unconventional products, whether you plan to use them inside your warehouse or for outdoor, these systems are an ideal choice for many operations.

Conclusion

There are many options when it comes to racking and storage solutions available for your operation. From pallet racking to cantilever racking, undertanding which solution is best for your facility will save you time and money in the long run.

We hope this post provided you helpful information as it relates to racking system selection. To speak with one of our technical experts, please call 1-216-229-9300. And thank you for reading our post.