Ensure wise pallet racking selection. If you’re checking out options for your warehouse, here are a few pointers to guide you through the process. With helpful advice, you’ll find better solutions to your needs.
Check Your Order Data
What does inventory and its volume look like now? What do you expect will it look like 6 months from now, a year from now or even further down the road? Take a look at your sales data from the prior years as well. At what velocity are they coming in and out of your warehouse? Is your facility a fulfilment operation? Or are you supporting an e-commerce outfit or manage one with a direct-to-consumer business model? These factors will help you determine which racking solutions will be most effective for your needs.
Factor in Product Load
The size of your product loads will also affect the rack that you choose. Standard industry pallets are 48” in depth by 40” in width. From 48” x 48” pallets to Euro pallets and more, there are also plenty of other sizes used. The height and weight of your product loads are also a critical factor. Many warehouses will typically have multiple load sizes and weights throughout their facility. Ensuring your racing system is designed to accommodate this is key.
Know Your MHE
What is the material handling equipment (MHE) you have in your warehouse? If you are shopping for a racking solution, you need one that you can use with your existing MHE. If you are planning to purchase new MHE at the same time you purchase racking, work with your racking and MHE suppliers to ensure both will work harmoniously together. These are some of the considerations that you need to think over before you pick a racking solution.
Consider Automation
Automated solutions in the right applications can be worth it in the long run as they provide a ROI while effectively reducing manual labor. They enhance safety, increase picking accuracy and eliminate operator error. You also cut down on the need of other types of MHE with automation. If your application is not the right fit for automation, however, there are conventional racking options that will be a better fit for your needs.
Think About Available Space
How much room do you have to dedicate to storage racking? What are the confines of the space? Depending on how much room you have available, one racking solution might be far more effective than another. Ensuring you make the best use of your cubic footprint is critical to optimizing storage efficiency.
