The warehouse storage solution adopted by the management serves the entire framework of your operations. While choosing a racking system, make sure to go for a system that lasts and makes a positive impact on your bottom line. A pallet rack system can help an organization create that additional space in the warehouse and boost productivity. Want to know more about the Pallet racks, types of racking systems in the warehouse, and their advantages? Here’s Gold Coast Racking complete guide on pallet racking systems, their types, and advantages. Let’s get started.
What is a Pallet Racking System?
A pallet racking system for a warehouse is a shelving system specifically designed to handle inventory on pallets. A pallet rack for a warehouse is an upright structure made of steel framing and the beams and connectors are bolted, welded, or clipped together to form a pallet storage unit that stores inventory and equipment. Pallet racks play an important role in handling inventory both, inside the storage facility and while transporting the items.
But, as you start to access the pallet racking solutions, you will find many options to choose from and each racking type comes with a different set of benefits to cater to distinct needs. What are they? Let’s find out.
Advantages of Pallet Racking System
Some of the major advantages of a pallet racking system include:
- Maximize Storage Space
- Easy Accessibility
- Better Organization and Management
- Cost Effective, Flexible, and Scalable
- Better Inventory Control and Enhanced Productivity
- Improved Visibility and Safety
Types of Pallet Racking
While there are many types of pallet racking systems that suit the storage based on the product type, here are some common types to look out for.
Selective Racking System
Selective pallet racking is the most common one to be used in warehouses more than any other in this list. Selective pallet racking is one of the most affordable options and its ideal beam size and upright heights make the load easily accessible at all times.
Ideal Uses
- Continuous product circulation
- Storage of retail products like food, beverages, and grocery.
- Products requiring access simultaneously
- LIFO management solution
Double-deep Pallet Racking
Double-deep pallet racking is one of the best warehouse storage solutions. It has two racks that are in the adjacent positions which helps the user to take advantage of the storage density in comparison to any other pallet racking systems. This type of rack comes with many configurations, has high storage density, easy installation, and affordable prices.
Ideal Uses
- General manufacturing and warehouses
- Storing products with high storage density requirements
- FIFO management solution
Drive-In and Drive-Through Racks
Drive-in and drive-through pallet racks allow you to store up to 75% more pallets than the conventional style as it requires fewer aisles. The forklifts can directly enter the aisles and access the racks. Drive-in racks use a common point for entry and exit while drive-through racks have separate entry and exit points.
Ideal Uses
- Storing homogenous products with long life spans
- Ideal for perishable items that require quick rotation
- Drive-in is useful for LIFO management and drive-through is suitable for FIFO management solutions
- Can support cold and freezer storage
Push Back Pallet Racking
Push back pallet racking is ideal for warehouses that require high density storage in a limited space. This system is similar to the double deep pallet racking, the only difference is push back racks include more than just two pallets on shelf. Here, the racks support the cart that moves along inclined rails making maximum use of the available space.
Ideal Uses
- Storing products that are 2-6 pallets deep
- Ideal for cold storage warehouses
Pallet Flow Racking
Pallet flow racking is also similar to the traditional one out of all different types of pallet racking. This system comes with roller tracks, where loading is done on one side and the other side is used for picking.
Ideal Uses
- Materials that do not have unified sizes
- High-quality pallets for high selectivity and density
- Supports FIFO management
Cantilever Racking
Cantilever racking is perfect for the unwieldy and long items in your warehouse and the use of vertical supports helps in storing long loads effortlessly. This system can also be used in warehouses with or without pallets.
Ideal Uses
- Used to store bulky and oddly shaped items ranging from construction supplies to metal and wood in retail shops
- Storing products that cannot be stored in typical pallets
Conclusion
A pallet racking system caters to all kinds of storage solutions with a variety of systems to choose from. When deciding on a pallet racking system, there are multiple options that are sure to enable a business to go for better management and work for every product and warehouse.
