Understanding Pallet Racking System Options

Pallet racking systems can provide your customer with several advantages. Each system type provides its own specific advantages, but in general there are basic advantages that all systems can provide a well-operated facility. Those advantages include:

• Increased facility productivity
• Increased storage capacity
• Improved inventory tracking
• Increased accuracy when picking inventory.

At DEH, we offer a variety of racking system types that your customer may be considering for their warehouse. Being able to guide them through these options can ensure that they see you as the expert and as their partner. Below is a basic overview of each type of pallet rack system.

DEH is highly knowledgeable in designing all types of pallet racking systems. If needed, our team can help you identify the right pallet rack system for your customer. We also offer design, installation, and permitting support services to support your operation.

Selective Pallet Rack

A selective pallet rack system is used for first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory management. You load and unload pallets from the front. Double deep selective rack is also available for a last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory management option.

Selective pallet racking systems provide access to all stored pallets or cartons without the need to move others. This makes it a highly selective solution, ideal for storing a wide variety of products.

Numerous aisles are required to accommodate this high selectivity, making it a lower density option compared to other types of rack systems.

Selective racking is ideal for warehouses or distribution centers with continuous product circulation or that require access to all palletized items simultaneously.

Best Use for Selective Racking

Selective racking is best used in a facility with:

• Reserve storage
• Products that require high selectivity
• Products with a high turnover rate

Pallet Flow Rack

Pallet flow rack is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) solution. In pallet flow racking systems, rack supports inclined rollers or wheels allowing pallets to glide from the back loading aisle to the front picking aisle. When the front pallet is unloaded, the next glides into picking position. Brakes can be included for speed control.

Pallet flow systems can be configured up to 12 lanes deep, providing excellent volume utilization and high-density storage.

Pallet flow racking is ideal for date-sensitive products such as food and beverage storage as well as freezer or cold storage applications.

Best Use for Pallet Flow Racking

Pallet flow racking is best used in a facility with:

• Date-sensitive inventory
• Cold storage
• Stock on high-quality pallets

Carton Flow Rack

Carton flow rack is a first-in, first-out solution for storage of cartons. In carton flow rack, the rack supports inclined rollers or wheels allowing cartons to glide from the back (loading) aisle to the front (picking) aisle. Individual lane guides and tilt trays located at the discharge end can be added to allow for easy access into the top of a case or tote for piece-picking.

Carton flow systems provide excellent volume utilization for high volume case pick or piece pick applications. It is ideal for products varying in size, date-sensitive products such as food and beverage storage and freezer or cold storage applications.

Best Use for Carton Flow Racking

Carton flow racking is best used in a facility with:

• Case-pick and piece pick applications
• Cold storage
• Date-sensitive inventory

Drive-in and Drive-Through Rack

In drive-in and drive-through racking, pallets are stored on support rails that are attached to uprights and are accessed by a lift truck that drives into the system with the load elevated to the height of the rail and placed in the selected storage location. This provides high storage density by eliminating picking aisles but offers low selectivity.

Drive-in and drive-through racking systems are ideal for storing large quantities of homogeneous products, products with long life spans or products that require large, one time moves.

Drive-through racking allows a lift truck to enter through both ends of the system for loading and unloading allowing for a FIFO storage option but requiring an additional aisle.

Drive-in racking requires the lift truck to load and unload by entering through the front of the system and then backing out, making it a LIFO option.

Best Use for Drive-In and Drive-Through Racking

Drive-in and Drive-through racking is best used in a facility with:

• Cold storage
• Perishable inventory that needs to be rotated regularly.
• Inventory that requires large, one-time, moves
• Inventory with long lifespans
• Homogenous products

Push Back Rack

In a push back rack system, the rack supports carts that move along inclined rails. Push back systems utilize the warehouse cube to reduce required aisle space and maximize product storage, making it a high-density pallet storage solution.

These systems are ideal for warehouse and distribution centers that require access to multiple groups of SKUs simultaneously, as well as freezer and cooler environment.

Push back racking is for last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory management. Each pallet is loaded from the front of the system onto a cart. Using the next pallet, the first is slowly pushed until it is aligned with the next available cart. When the front pallet is unloaded, the next pallet glides to the front for picking.

Best Use for Push Back Racking

Push back racking is best used in a facility with:

• Multiple products of the same SKU
• Cold storage
• High-quality pallets

Contact DEH for Your Pallet Rack System Needs

DEH is a highly experienced stocking distributor of pallet rack, shelving, wire decking and other warehouse items. We also have many manufacturer relationships across the US that allow us to provide additional products as wholesale pricing. Our goal is to provide dealers with quality products with the goal of helping you stay on schedule and within budget.

DEH has a talented team of in-house sales personnel, all highly experienced in the material handling industry. We’ll work with you to make sure that your material handling solution is the best fit for your operation, installed and completed on time and within budget.

We’d appreciate the opportunity to help you further. Fill in the contact form on this page or call us at (773) 839-5529 to get in touch with a DEH representative.