Storage Solutions

Selective pallet rack gives immediate access to every load, which keeps load and unload times short and makes it a flexible system for facilities with a large variety of SKUs. It is well suited to first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation. The system has three main components: uprights, beams, and load supports such as decking.

Layouts vary with the facility. A common arrangement places single rows against the walls and back-to-back rows in the center, with the rack running parallel to the long side of the building. Load size, equipment, and warehouse dimensions all determine the most efficient layout.

For a planning count of selective pallet positions in a rectangular area, use the pallet position estimator.

Pushback pallet rack is a high-density system for storing multiple products, with good selectivity from a single aisle. Telescoping carts store pallets two, three, four, or five deep, loaded and retrieved from one aisle, in a last-in, first-out (LIFO) rotation.

All pallets on a level, except the last, sit on carts that roll on slightly inclined rails, lower at the aisle. When the front pallet is removed, the pallets behind it roll forward. The forklift places the first load on the highest set of carts, then pushes that load back as each new pallet is placed. On a deeper lane, the last pallet rests on the rails rather than on a cart.

Drive-in and drive-thru pallet rack is a high-density system for facilities that store large amounts of the same SKU. You can increase your storage density by up to 75% compared to traditional selective rack while occupying up to 35% less square footage. Drive-in rack uses the same aisle to load and unload, which supports last-in, first-out (LIFO) rotation. Drive-thru rack is loaded from one end and unloaded from the other, which supports first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation. Both systems are built from uprights that form interior loading lanes. The forklift enters the lane, places the pallet on the support rails, and backs out. The load has to be raised above the storage level, and each level has support rails on both sides.

Pallet flow is a high-density system with roller tracks in sloped lanes. Pallets are loaded at the high end from the charge aisle, and gravity carries each load in a controlled path to the discharge aisle, in first-in, first-out (FIFO) rotation. It holds more inventory than a selective layout of the same footprint and suits operations with a high volume of carton picks. Typical applications include perishable goods, food and beverage distribution, and consumer goods.

Cantilever rack stores long or bulky items such as carpeting, tubing, molding, pipe, lumber, beams, or sheet material. The system has vertical columns and arms that support the load. It can be single-sided, typically against a wall, or double-sided, with access from either side. Every load is immediately accessible, and lighter material on the lower levels can be handled by hand.

Shelving is a flexible way to store smaller items. Units can be built in several steel gauges, in widths from 24" to 96" and depths from 12" to 48", with height set to the application. Shelf-supported mezzanines use the shelving itself as the structure for a second level of storage.