When was the last time you racked or shipped inventory without pallets? Probably never! In fact, the pallet has been labelled ‘the single most important object in the global economy’ by *Slate Magazine!
Don’t you agree? What would we do without pallets? Not only does it help maximize storage space and improve safety but it also ensures efficient inventory management, cost savings, and easy accessibility to products. Moreover, choosing the right pallet rack for your warehouse can unlock niche benefits and maximize its utility.
What is Pallet Racking?
Pallet racking is more than just a storage solution. It's a form of art! The way pallets are stacked and organized can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your warehouse operations.
One of the most interesting, sometimes overwhelming, aspects of pallet racking is the variety of options available. From selective racks that allow for easy access to individual items to drive-in racks that prioritize density over accessibility, there's a solution for every need.
Types of Pallet Racking and Their Benefits
Selective Rack
The most common type of pallet rack is the selective rack. Its versatility makes it ideal for use in a variety of warehouse layouts.
Selective racks are typically made up of two or more columns of racks, with each column containing several levels. The advantage of this type of rack is that it allows for easy access to all levels, making it ideal for picking operations. However, selective racks can be more expensive than other types of racks. They also require more space to store the same amount of inventory.
There are many benefits to using selective pallet racks. Some of them are described below:
Easy access to individual items, which reduces the time spent on picking inventory
Highly versatile and easily configurable to meet the specific needs of your warehouse or facility
Robust and durable, which in some ways offsets the capital expense involved in acquiring these racks
Drive-In/Drive-Through Rack
Drive-in and drive-through racks are two of the most popular types of pallet racks because they offer a high-density storage solution that can be easily accessed by forklifts. Drive-in racks are designed to enable the movement of forklifts into the rack to access the load, while drive-through racks allow the forklift to access the load from either side of the rack. Both types of racks are designed to follow a first-in, first-out (FIFO) storage system.
Some of the prominent benefits of this racking system are discussed below:
Ability to store large quantities of the same product in a single location: This translates to less time spent moving items around and more efficient use of space
Increased safety for workers handling heavy loads: Drive-in and drive-through pallet racks allow forklift operators to enter the rack system to retrieve or deposit pallets without having to maneuver within narrow aisles. This reduces the risk of accidents caused by collisions with other equipment or nearby inventory
Reduced energy costs: Minimized lighting needs due to dense storage capabilities
Double-Deep Rack
Double deep pallet racks are a highly efficient storage solution for warehouses with limited floor space. By placing two rows of pallets back-to-back, the capacity of a standard pallet racking system is doubled while maintaining accessibility to all stored items.
Outlined below are some of the key advantages of utilizing this racking system:
Provision to increase storage density without requiring additional square footage: This can be especially valuable in urban areas where real estate prices are high and maximizing vertical space is a necessity.
Double deep racks offer improved selectivity: Compared to other high-density storage options like drive-in or pushback systems, double deep racks make it easier to access each item. This is so because inventory can be picked without having to move other items out of the way first.
Radio Shuttle Systems
Radio Shuttle Systems are a game changer in the world of pallet racking. They allow for more efficient and effective storage, by using a remote-controlled shuttle to move pallets within the racking system. This eliminates the need for forklifts to enter the racks themselves, which reduces potential damage and increases safety. Listed below are some of the main advantages of using this racking system:
Ability to increase warehouse productivity: With this technology, operators can load and unload pallets at ground level while leaving the majority of goods stored within racks. This eliminates manual handling time and enhances picking speed.
Space optimization: With radio shuttles that can reach deeper into high-density storage bays than traditional systems or even automated solutions such as ASRS (Automated Storage & Retrieval System), warehouses can store more products per square foot.
Mobile Racking Systems
Mobile racking systems are an innovative solution to maximize storage space while minimizing floor space. Unlike traditional pallet racking, mobile racking systems utilize a motorized base that moves along tracks installed into the floor. This allows for multiple aisles of shelving or pallets on one track system, which can be moved aside to access any specific aisle.
The primary benefits of employing the mobile racking system are:
Increased storage capacity and efficiency as well as reduced costs associated with building and expanding facilities. By eliminating the need for multiple aisles between racks, businesses can store more products in less space without sacrificing accessibility.
Excellent safety features such as automatic brakes and sensors that detect obstructions in its path.
Provision to integrate the system with various warehouse management software that can increase inventory control accuracy.
At Logkraft, we are committed to providing cutting-edge racking systems that are tailored to maximize your warehouse storage capacity and improve your overall operational efficiency. Our team of specialists will collaborate closely with you to comprehend your distinct storage needs and suggest the most fitting racking system for your business.
Reference:
* Tom Vanderbilt, ‘The Single Most Important Object in the Global Economy’, Slate Magazine, Aug 14, 2012
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