Selecting and installing the appropriate racking system for your warehouse operations can significantly impact logistics performance, helping to avoid bottlenecks. The market today offers a diverse range of industrial racks. Those manufactured by leading companies undergo rigorous testing and simulations, adhere to regulations, meet the highest safety standards, and are made from premium raw materials.

What is a Racking System?

A racking system is composed of multiple modules with shelves designed for storing industrial products and various items on pallets or within boxes and bins. Typically constructed from metal, these racks play an essential role in facilities such as warehouses and logistics or production centers.

Unlike wooden alternatives, metal rack storage systems are durable under heavy usage and facilitate efficient material handling. As a result, they are compatible with material handling equipment like forklifts, which are commonly used to store and retrieve pallets from the racks.

Advantages of Racking Systems

Integrating racking systems into your operations can enhance competitiveness and provide numerous benefits, including:

• Inventory control: Well-organized storage systems optimize operations, allowing for improved tracking from receiving to order fulfillment and shipping.
• Increased storage density: Compact racking systems maximize the amount of materials that can be stored in a limited space.
• Space utilization: Given the constraints of floor space and the high cost of logistics real estate, designing an efficient warehouse layout with the right racking systems or automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) is a more economical choice.

How Do I Choose a Racking System?

To ensure warehouse efficiency, using the right equipment for each task is crucial. Racking systems vary significantly based on the sector and activities of a company. The primary objective in selecting a racking system is to save time and money during operations. Here are some factors to consider:

• Characteristics of boxes or pallets: Understanding the size, shape, quantity, and weight of your inventory is essential for selecting the ideal racking system.
• Warehouse layout: In addition to the available square meters of floor space, consider the height of your facility, which can affect its capacity for large or small operations.
• Accessibility: Operators must be able to access pallets and materials quickly and efficiently.
• Budget: Evaluate which option will be more cost-effective in the long run. Some systems may require a higher initial investment but offer greater returns, strength, and durability.

Consulting storage experts and familiarizing yourself with the main types of racking systems can help you make the best choice.

Types of Racking Systems

Racking systems can be categorized into three primary groups: pallet racks, picking shelves, and other racking solutions.

1. Pallet Racking

Pallet rack systems store and retrieve loads using forklifts, providing direct access to each pallet or serving as a high-density solution.

• Selective pallet racking: This system allows direct access to every SKU in the warehouse, making it a versatile and universal storage solution suitable for companies with diverse SKUs.
• Drive-in/drive-through racking: This cost-effective high-density option features racks with lanes accessed by forklifts for depositing and retrieving pallets at various levels and depths. Drive-in racking allows loading and unloading from the same aisle, while drive-through enables storage from the front aisle and retrieval from the opposite side.
• Mobile racking: Combining the benefits of previous types, mobile racking systems store unit loads compactly while allowing direct access to each pallet. The racking is mounted on motorized bases, enabling controlled movement to open necessary aisles as needed.
• Pallet flow racking: In this high-density storage solution, pallets move by gravity along channels equipped with rollers. Loads are inserted at the top of the channel and slide forward to the end. 
• Push-back racking: This compact storage solution accommodates multiple pallets deep, featuring different SKUs per channel, with loads pushed along slightly sloped channels.

2. Picking Shelves

Picking shelves are designed to accommodate individual boxes and loose items that are picked manually. They typically fall into the following categories:

• Medium and Heavy Duty Racking: High-quality shelving that can support weights exceeding 1,000 kg per level.
• Light Duty Shelving: Suitable for moderate loads in environments such as warehouses, workshops, offices, and retail shops.
• Live Storage for Picking: A gravity flow storage system where goods are placed on slightly inclined roller platforms, enhancing order picking efficiency and ensuring SKU turnover.
• Multi-Tiered Shelving: This solution for non-palletized goods combines high-bay shelving with one or more walkways supported by the racking system.

3. Cantilever Racking System and More

In addition to picking operations and pallet storage, racking systems can be beneficial in various other scenarios. For example, cantilever racking is specifically designed to accommodate long loads, such as tubes, as well as products of different sizes. It is also common to utilize specialized racking for items like reels.