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What are warehouse racks and racking systems?
If your warehouse is stacked with boxes and you’re running out of storage space, consider investing in racks with a system that will help you effectively manage stock. Metal racks are strong enough to hold pallets, boxes or individual stock items. They also enable you to successfully utilise the height of your warehouse space. Putting a racking system in place – along with policies and procedures – will vastly improve the efficiency, accuracy and safety of warehouse operations. Let’s take a closer look at what warehouse racks and racking systems are so that you can decide what option is best for your unique warehouse space.
What are warehouse racks?
Warehouse racks are strong industrial shelves made of metal. They are designed to hold pallets, boxes or other bulky items on multiple levels. Racking is one of the key warehouse storage solutions to implement because it’s impractical and unsafe to leave stock lying around on the floor. In fact, not investing in appropriate storage solutions like racking is a warehouse management mistake.
What are warehouse racking systems?
Racking systems are storage systems that are primarily utilised in warehouses to store stock, and keep it organised. A racking system is made up of multiple warehouse racks that are specifically designed to fit and work together in a unique warehouse space – making full use of the available breadth and height of the place.
Indeed, one of the main benefits of racking systems is space optimisation. Using warehouse space optimally (especially the height) helps to keep things organised, especially during times of increased stock. Having a system in place makes it easier and quicker to find and store your stock items. Installing a warehouse racking system that works in your warehouse is critical. There are different types of racking systems to consider:
- Heavy-duty racking
- Light industrial racking
- Adjustable pallet racking (or standard duty racking and selective storage)
- Mini racking (or long-span shelving)
- Cantilever racking
- Live storage (FILO and FIFO)
- Drive-in racking
- Narrow aisle racking
- Industrial workbenches
- Rack-supported mezzanine floors
Pallet racking is one of the most common systems found in South African warehouses because it offers quite a few advantages, including reliability, durability, flexibility, accessibility and scalability. One of the tips, if you want to go with a pallet racking system, is to make sure you invest in a high-quality, custom solution. The benefit of doing this will far outweigh the cost.
Once you’ve decided on the warehouse racks and racking system for your warehouse, you’ll need to make sure everything is arranged in the most cost-effective, efficient and safe manner. When it comes to heavy duty racking, it’s important to put systems in place, effectively use vertical space, use wide aisles, assess product movement and keep monitoring the weight and size of your stock items.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to industrial warehouse racking. It’s more often than not better to seek input from experienced professionals. Contact our Dura Racking team to arrange a warehouse site visit today. We’d love to help you find the ideal warehouse racks and racking system for you.
