With a well-designed pallet racking system, you can improve warehouse productivity, increase storage space by 40% or more depending on the warehouse design. Choosing the right pallet racking system can make a big difference in your business outcomes. The main step is to decide what type of pallet rack suits best for your business requirements.

Here are mentioned some common types of pallet racking systems and their applications:

Selective Pallet Rack

Selective pallet rack is the most common and flexible pallet racking system in the industry. It provides efficient use of storage space and quick access to every load stored using any type of forklift. This type of rack is available in debris-resistant, easy-to-clean structural steel (ideal for food handling operations). The selective pallet rack is used commonly in manufacturing, retail, and general warehousing.

Back Racking / Push-Back Rack

These pallet racking systems have a last-in/first-out (LIFO)) rotation and are fabricated in structural or roll form. These systems are suitable for high-density multiple product storage. Push back racking allows easy access to inventory items and also good for a specific selection of inventory items. When a pallet is loaded or placed on the structure, the next pallet is pushed backward on the rails where it rests firmly. When the pallet is unloaded, they are ‘pushed’ to the front of the structure. Therefore it is called push back rack or back rack system. It is generally used in food-oriented operations, general warehousing, and retail.

Pallet Flow Rack

Pallet flow rack, also called gravity flow racks, utilize sloping racks. In pallet flow rack, new pallets are added at the higher end and removed from the lower end, thus it is a first-in/first-out(FIFO) loading system. Pallet flow storage can double or triple storage capacity as compared to drive-in or conventional pallet rack systems and is a perfect solution for freezer warehouses, food distribution centers, and storage of high-volume, perishable consumer goods.

Double Deep Rack

Double-deep racks are made by placing one row of selective racking behind another. This is the most affordable way to create high-density storage in the warehouse. Double deep racking can increase storage for up to 40% depending on the warehouse structure. It is recommended for general warehousing and manufacturing business.

Roll Formed Cantilever Rack

Cantilever racking is ideal for storing long products such as textiles piping, tubing tires, furniture, carpet rolls, steel rods, and timber. The racking structure has long arms extended from a metal framework specifically designed to store long and heavy items. Cantilever racking allows easy access to all the inventory items as it has no front column, unlike other pallet racking systems.

Drive-In Racking

Drive-in pallet racking system follows last-in/first-out rotation. It is designed to increase the utilization of floor space within a warehouse. This type of racking system requires a small passage area for the same amount of storage thus saving storage space. It is designed in a way that allows forklifts to make their way through the aisles to continue stocking and adding more pallets. It is suitable for large-volume storage of similar products, general warehousing, freezer, and high-turnover retail products.

Here are given 5 ways to optimize the pick and pack process:

Utilize your Warehouse Space Effectively

The items should be placed according to the order requirement. By designing your warehouse for efficiently storing and picking of items, you can save the time it takes to gather items for your orders. The arrangement of items should be done carefully such as always place top-selling items near the packing stations, store items right next to each other which are commonly packed together.

Keep Your Warehouse Well-Ordered

By keeping your warehouse area clean and well ordered you can make pick and process easy and fast. Ensure that the items your packers staff needs for orders are arranged correctly around the workstation. Always place the items from receiving inventory in the same place to avoid wastage of time in searching for items.

Use WMS for Tracking Items

Use a warehouse management system (WMS) to keep the record of items that are listed in the order and to find them easily. By using advanced warehouse management software you can save lots of time in it takes in finding and keeping the record of the items for orders.

Try Different Order Picking Methods:

Try different order picking methods such as zone picking in which each order picker is assigned a particular zone and will do order picking within this zone only, or batch picking where the assigned picker picks multiple orders simultaneously.

Ensure your Inventory is Up To Date

An optimized pick and pack process always depend on the accurate inventory system. Always ensure that your inventory is up to date for easily keeping the records of the items and to track them easily. Check for items that are out of stock and place the orders of those items for avoiding delay in the order fulfillment process.

Bottom Line:

Your pick and pack process is only one important part of running a warehouse efficiently. With the help of up to date inventory management system, you can optimize your pick, pack, and shipping process and increase your business profits by maximizing warehouse productivity and gain customer trust.

If that’s what you want in your business, we are here to help you.

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Types of Pallet Racking System in Warehouse