What Every Retailer Should Know About Pallet Warehouse Racking
Pallet racking is a storage assistance system designed to stock and store products on pallets. Many different pallet racking systems exist, but all aim to enable you to store palletized materials in rows. Learn more about warehouse racking solutions and the types of racking systems available to best stock and store your products.
How Does Pallet Racking Work?
Pallet racking involves stacking and arranging pallet racks to offer stability and maximize storage space. Pallet rack systems also enable warehouse workers to reach and move products easily. The four key components of pallet racks are uprights, beams, wire decking for pallet supports, and row spacers. In most situations, forklifts are needed to place pallets onto the racks for storage.
Types of Pallet Racking
There are various types of pallet racking. Learn more to decide which is right for your company, depending on the space available and products you want to move and store.
Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR)
Adjustable pallet racking is designed to store palletized goods using forklift trucks. The distance between levels and the system’s height depends on your storage needs. APR can be broken into two categories: Double Deep APR and Very Narrow Aisle.
Double Deep APR
Double deep pallet racking means the pallets are stored at two depths. This results in a taller warehouse racking system while still making it simple to rack and remove products quickly.
Very Narrow Aisle
Another adaptation of standard APR is very narrow aisle pallet racking (VNA), where pallets are stored in a compact area. This is a high-density warehouse racking solution that can increase the warehouse’s capacity without needing more space.
Drive-In Pallet Racking
Drive-in pallet racking is another high-density racking solution, ideal for warehouses with high volume products with limited or the same SKU numbers. It works with a Last-In/First-Out (LIFO) storage system with only single-aisle access. The design maximizes warehouse racking space by limiting the need for large aisles for forklifts.
Drive-Thru Pallet Racking
Like drive-in pallet racking, a drive-thru system comprises an easy-to-assemble and reset adjustable structure. Drive-through racking has an entrance and a separate exit point, making it a First Load In/First Load Out (FIFO) warehouse racking solution.
Live Pallet Racking
The live pallet racking system is most commonly used in warehouses concerned with saving space and in-stock turnover control. It enables the units to be loaded and moved more easily due to each level’s slightly inclined roller beds. A FIFO method is efficient because the loading space is at the opposite end of the unloading area.
Push-Back Pallet Racking
Push-back pallet racking is very similar to live racking with the exception of the LIFO system because it has a single loading and unloading point. The products are stored by pushing the existing ones to the back. Push-back pallet racking can also use rollers with a slight incline on the structure beds.
Mobile Pallet Racking
A mobile pallet racking system enables the pallet racks to be placed on mobile bases or chassis guided through the warehouse on fixed tracks on the floor. The system is most commonly equipped with electric motors controlled by remote push-pull elements.
Multi-Tier Pallet Racking
The multi-tier racking system is used by warehouses with limited floor space and more height available. It includes different levels of manual loading aisles accessible by stairs, making it a rather complex yet versatile warehouse racking solution.
Carton Flow Pallet Racking
Carton flow pallet racking systems allow for high-density cartons storage, usually containing lightweight products. This is a FIFO system, and carton flow can save on operating time by reducing the distance covered in the warehouse.
With so many warehouse racking systems to choose from, it can be challenging to know which is right for your space and products. At Reconxx, we save you the trouble of selecting and installing a system yourself by providing warehouse storage solutions for you. Contact us today to learn more.