Why do you need a custom racking system?

No warehouse has a one-size-fits-all pallet racking system. It' s due to the fact that businesses have different needs and storage requirements. However, what all warehouses have in common is that the right racking system will make their operations run more smoothly. This article will help you determine if you need a custom racking system to achieve maximum efficiency.

Types of Custom Racking Systems

There are five main types of racking systems that you should know about as a first step.

Selective racking is the most common type of pallet racking system. Similar to home and office shelving units, selective racking uses columns and beams to create a "shelf" to hold pallets. Depending on your ceiling height and the height of your pallets, selective racking systems have multiple racks per pallet. A pallet is usually only one pallet deep, although two-deep systems are not uncommon.

Cantilever racks can be used to store long, heavy objects such as pipes and steel, fencing, beds and couches.

If your warehouse needs to follow FIFO rules, pallet flow racking or gravity flow racking is a good choice. This system uses gravity and gentle rollers to push the next oldest product to the front, while you load the new product in the back.

The push-back racking system also uses gravity and rollers, but it follows the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. New product enters from the front and leaves from the front.

Drive-in or drive-through racking allows forklifts to drive in to load and remove pallets or product as needed. These racks are typically a hybrid combination of drive-in selective racks or drive-in push-back racks.

To learn more about each type of custom racking system, read more on our warehouse racking resources page.

What are the advantages of a custom system?

Not only is a custom racking system designed to fit your exact space, it also allows you to maximize the potential of the space you have. Custom designs free up floor space, optimize air space, and provide safe and accessible traffic patterns for workers.

For example, e-commerce warehouses must be organized for quick and easy picking, packing and shipping. Custom-designed pallet racking is a must for safe and efficient order fulfillment.

Customized systems can help you keep your inventory secure. Some products require specific environmental conditions or are fragile, date-sensitive or impossible to stack. Custom systems take these needs into account.

Custom systems also allow you to store products at different temperatures within the same warehouse. In addition, if you store food and non-food products in your warehouse, a custom system allows you to have FDA-compliant racks. For example, you need shelves at least 12 inches above the floor for food, but lower shelves for non-food products.

Next, the number of pallets per SKU in your facility plays a role in determining the type of shelving system you need. A warehouse with only one pallet per SKU can use selective pallet racking because it allows for variability in SKUs while making them easily accessible.

However, warehouses that store multiple pallets per SKU may want to have a higher density storage system such as push-back or drive-in or pallet racking. If there are a large number of pallets per SKU that require FIFO retrieval, you may want to consider using a pallet flow system.

Other Factors in Customer Racking Solutions

The following are some of the other factors that influence custom racking decisions.

● Size and location of dock doors
● Location and spacing of building support columns
● Interior ceiling height
● Available warehouse space
● Product flow and accessibility
● Handling of the equipment and machinery you use
● Seismic activity in your area

Of course, your budget is one of the most critical parts of this decision. It only makes sense that the more features and functions a racking system has, the more it will cost.

That's where we come in. At Spieth, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll listen to your needs and concerns and help you determine the type of pallet racking system that provides the best storage solution for your warehouse.

Then, if you choose us to design your custom system, we can offer the following services.

● Custom racking designs that provide safety and efficiency
● Systems that meet or exceed all industry standards and regulations
● Support staff ready to answer your questions

If you would like to learn more about custom racking or schedule a free consultation with one of our design experts, please contact us today.