Wood Container and Pallet

Do you want to expand your company warehouse’s storage capacity and efficiency simultaneously without spending a fortune? If yes, then pallet racks are what you need. However, to get maximum value for your money, it is important to know the different pallet racks available in the market and identify the best one for your company. Here is a list of factors to consider for selecting the right pallet rack system for your warehouse.

Type of pallet rack optimal for your company depends on your inventory management system's characteristics. These include:

Load Characteristics: Determine the maximum and average weight of pallets used by your company. Also, consider irregularity in the shape of loads. Further, need for separate holding and staging areas, picking partial loads or individual products out of racks, and accommodating forklifts will also influence the best pallet rack type for your company.

Inventory Volume, Access and Variety: Identify your required pallet storage capacity, pallet shape and size, and the type of access you need. Also, determine if all pallets must be accessible simultaneously or not?

Order of Distribution: Your pallet rack type will vary depending on whether you use LIFO (last-in first-out) or FIFO (first-in first-out) to manage inventory.

Types of Pallet Racks:
 
Single deep racks: They are low density racks that enable flexible loading and placement. They give you immediate access to all pallets.

Cantilever racks: They are low density racks highly suitable for irregular-shaped objects such as long items like lumber.

Double deep racks: These racks have two rows of pallets, giving you greater storage capacity but limited access to some pallets.

Gravity flow racks: They are high density storage racks for FIFO systems.

Drive-through racks: They maximize forklifts use by giving forklifts direct access to each bay. Drive-through racks have two entrances and allow you to pick pallets from several heights.

Drive-in racks: They also maximize forklifts but have a single entrance.

Supplier Considerations
Find a supplier with a favorable market reputation and enough experience in dealing with environmental conditions like snow, wind, and earthquakes, specific to your requirements. Supplier should closely examine your site to identify and address all your particular needs, such as appropriate frame material and weight.

Construction Method of Pallet Racks
Pallet rack systems consist of vertical frames, dividing the rack into separate areas and horizontal beams for pallet support. Each single storage area, called a bay, can include a ‘floor’ or a wire-mesh for easy ventilation and maintenance. Two construction methods are commonly used. In the first, beams can be directly bolted to frames for maximum strength. The second method attaches beams using teardrop snap-in construction for maximum flexibility.  

Safety Features
You can add several safety features to your pallets racks such as column guards which protect posts from damage caused by forklifts and other vehicles. 

Price Considerations
Pallet rack price can vary from $50-$300 per pallet for installed systems, depending on the type and quantity of your chosen pallet rack. Price increases with density. Single deep racks are the least expensive starting at $50 per pallet. Higher density racks carry $80-$120 price tag per pallet while flow racks range between $200 and $300 per pallet. Add-ons increase the cost of your pallet rack systems.

It is also possible to purchase pallet rack components and assemble them yourself. Assembly requires basic construction skills and can significantly lower the price of your pallet rack system. However, non-professional assembly comes without guarantees and increases the risk of rack collapses.

Carefully evaluate your inventory management system requirements, prices of installation and assembly, use of safety and other add-ons, prices and supplier experience and reputation before making your decision.
Choose the right pallet rack and get ready to reap the benefits.