Choosing the right racking system for your pallet and skid storage can significantly impact your warehouse's efficiency, especially when managing your inventory and space. Whether your business follows a first in-first out (FIFO) method or you have more flexibility with your inventory, the racking system you select should align with your operational needs. Here's a guide to help you understand which racking system might be best suited for your business.

FIFO Considerations: Pallet Flow or Selective Rack

If you manage products with expiration dates or any type of perishable goods, it's essential to follow the FIFO method to ensure the oldest products are used or shipped out first. This method requires a racking system that facilitates easy product rotation.

Pallet Flow Racking: A pallet flow rack is ideal for FIFO as it uses gravity to automatically advance pallets from the loading to the picking side. As one pallet is removed, the next one automatically moves into place, ensuring that the oldest products are always picked first. This system maximizes efficiency and reduces the need for manual product rotation, making it an excellent choice for businesses with high product turnover.

Selective Racking: A selective rack can also work well for FIFO operations, especially when combined with proper warehouse management systems. While it doesn't have the automatic rotation of a pallet flow rack, selective racks provide easy access to each pallet, making it possible to organize products based on their arrival date for manual rotation.

Non-FIFO Operations: High-Density Racking Options
If you don't need to follow FIFO, you have a broader range of options. Businesses that don't rely on product expiration can focus on maximizing storage density and space efficiency.
Pushback Racking: Pushback racking systems allow pallets to be stored several deep, with pallets being loaded from the front and pushed back to store multiple pallets in each lane. This high-density system is ideal if you don't need to rotate products based on age. It maximizes space by reducing the number of aisles required in your warehouse.

Drive-In/Drive-Through Racking: These systems are another high-density solution, allowing forklifts to enter the racking lanes to load and retrieve pallets. A drive-in rack is typically last in-first out (LIFO). In contrast, a drive-through rack allows for either LIFO or FIFO depending on the direction of pallet loading and unloading. These systems can significantly increase your storage capacity but may require more precise management for product retrieval.
Selective Racking: Even in non-FIFO environments, selective racking remains a flexible and widely used option. It provides direct access to every pallet, making it easy to manage a variety of products and inventory types. While it's not the most space-efficient system, it offers maximum accessibility.

Key Factors in Choosing Your Racking System

Several factors should be considered when selecting the best racking system for your needs:

Product Type: Are you storing products that expire or need frequent rotation? This will dictate whether a FIFO system like pallet flow or selective racking is essential.
Inventory System: How you track and manage your inventory plays a huge role. FIFO-focused inventory systems will require racking that aligns with that process, while more flexible systems allow for different solutions.
Warehouse Space: The space available in your warehouse will determine whether high-density racking solutions like pushback or drive-in/drive-through racks make sense. If space is limited, these systems may help you store more in a smaller area.
Operational Efficiency: Consider the speed and ease of access your team needs to pick and replenish products. High-density systems can save space but may slow down operations if quick access to individual pallets is necessary.

Why Speedrack Midwest?

At Speedrack Midwest, we understand that every business has unique needs regarding racking and storage. Our team can work with you to determine the best choice of racking system based on your product needs, inventory system, and available space. We also offer a range of accessories and design services to ensure your racking system is optimized for your business.

Contact Speedrack Midwest today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you design a racking system that improves efficiency, maximizes storage, and meets the specific needs of your operation.