Design the Correct Pallet Racking for Your Warehouse

• How can you best optimize your storage space?
• How many different SKUs do you have?
• How many of each will you be storing?
• How often will you need to access them?
• Do you need to use some type of material handling equipment such as a Fork Lift in the space?

When designing a Pallet Rack System for your warehouse facility, the objectives should be clearly defined. Efficient planning of a pallet rack system relies on a balance of infrastructure, your equipment, and the inventory to facilitate organization and seamless operations. Each of these questions has an impact on what racking system design would be best for you. Designing an efficient pallet rack layout is essential. The pallet rack system will determine important factors including your use of floor and vertical space, ease of inventory access, dock locations, shipping areas, and other components. With so much riding on your pallet rack design, it’s clear that an efficient solution requires both experience and planning.

Get Your FREE Quote call (954) 205-4071 or Click Here For a Free Quote We will contact you within 24 hours Monday through Friday.

Here are 10 steps and recommendations to get you started:

1. Understand Your Storage Requirements

Racking starts with your storage system. Are you storing large pallets packed with large goods, or do you favor smaller pallets with individual or small products?


2. Will you carry both fast moving and slow moving products?


Racking needs to be designed to meet your storage requirements, not the storage requirements to your racking. Here we have Cantilever racks (also referred to as lumber racks or pipe rack). They are heavy duty storage that is specifically designed for storing long and bulky items or materials such as lumber, plywood, PVC, steel pipe and metal or bar stock pipes, and more.


3. Maximize Your Physical Storage

An empty warehouse may look very large but there always will be physical constraints to your storage space. When designing an efficient racking system, identify all the physical constraints and then make good use of thefinite space. Begin arranging your pallet racks in long rows matching the warehouse direction that has the longer length.

Make sure to NOT put racking along the wall because it limits racking efficiency. Also never lay out L-shaped layouts. As you layout your pallet racking prioritize product access and navigating your warehouse. Layout your warehouse to optimize all of your warehouse storage.. Including floor space and verticle storage.


4. Plan for Expansion and Scalability

If you think that there may be a chance in the future that you may want to increase your warehouse storage space, plan for it now by picking a modular racking solution, which will be easily adjustable, versatile, and of course expandable. By customizing your storage plan today, you can eliminate or reduce future expansion, by predicting future storage needs.


5. Would You May Like To Go Mobile?

There are movable pallet rack systems that roll on mobile carriages. Movable pallet racking maximizes unused aisle space. Just about any warehouse item is able to be stored on mobile racking. Even items that require heavy equipment, e.g. a counter weighted forklift, can be made moveable.


6. Make Sure What You Purchase Will Be Durable


So your planning out your pallet racking and it's obvious it's not a small investment, get the most from your investment by purchasing a durable, long-lasting pallet rack system. You need to consider the weight of your products carefully (+) some extra fudge factor lbs added.. (Example Brand X sells Light-duty Racking that cannot exceed 750 lbs.)

Think about the most common wear and tear your warehouse may have, and then look for a racking system with a good measure of cost to lifespan balance.


7. Figure Out Your Budget

So now you understand the basic racking system for your requirements, the first question would be "do I have it in my budget to purchase it"? It will mean the cost for all the racking equipment, plus the cost of design, and the cost of installation.

There also will be city permits to figure into the final cost. DON'T cut corners here, DON'T go the cheapest way. Go with the best cost solution for your racking that best covers your warehouse needs.


8. It's time to Lay Out Your Warehouse


Before you purchase, (don't do it yet!) map your warehouse layout for all the considerations you've written down. Make sure you lay out your shipping area, your receiving area and make sure your aisles are large enough for any material handling equipment you may need to easily navigate safely, (ex. will I be utilizing a vehicle such as a Counterbalance Forklift, etc.).

Where will the manager's offices be, how about a lunch or snack room, and are there any other special areas you need to layout first. Then do a physical map that accounts for all these considerations, now include items such as interior columns, and any other obstructions that you need to work around. If you've considered everything, you have created an efficient pallet racking layout.


9. OK now, Make Your Warehouse Happen!

An efficient Pallet Rack System won't help you if your employees don't know where items are stored. Keep your stock as well organized as you organized your new racking system.


10. Next check out all the different racking solutions there are below by clicking the links Below. Once you've finished you are ready to make it happen!.
    
    

    Get Your FREE Quote call (954) 205-4071 or Click Here For a Free Quote We will contact you within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
    
    

    New & Used Pallet Rack Shelving - Pallet Rack Beams - Pallet Rack Components & Accessories
    
    
    

    Industrial Pallet Rack ships over 25 different manufacturers and styles of pallet rack to suit any need you may have. If we don’t have it, we can most likely locate it for you through our national dealer network. Need help identifying what brand of racking you own? Click Here for Our Pallet Rack Identification Guide or simply pick up the phone and call (954) 205-4071.

    Family owned and operated since 1993, our focus has always been helping our customers with Pallet Rack Identification, Pallet Rack Design, Pallet Rack Additions and Pallet Rack Installation. We have tons of experience with new, and second hand or used pallet racking of all types and brands. We have thousands of light and heavy duty beams, column uprights, decking of all types, small components and accessories available.
    
    Our staff's trained, knowledgeable and ready to assist you. If you need to add-on or change the existing layout of your warehouse rack system we carry a wide assortment of components and accessories to suit your needs. In stock and ready to ship, our pallet racks are sold in separate pieces. Sizes vary in height, length, and depth. We can provide you with any type and the exact style of pallet racking you need.

    To Get Your FREE Quote call (954) 205-4071 Or Click Here for a free Quote. We will contact you within 24 hours Monday through Friday.