How to Choose the Perfect Pallet Racking for Your Business

All businesses with large inventories need ergonomically designed storage facilities to preserve the qualities of products at the highest possible standards. Pallet racking is the best way to do that.

The choice of racking system for your business is not a mere matter of preference. More than aesthetic appeal, functionality and durability are always the priority. Depending on your inventory and warehouse, the type of racking also varies.

So what are the top considerations in finding the perfect pallet racking for your business?

 1. Type of commodities

The racking should adapt to the commodities and not the other way around. Qualities and specifications often suffer when buyers work on a limited budget or there is insufficient information on the specific types of materials meant to hold specific types of commodities.

Steel, wood, fiberglass and aluminum are the common pallet materials, and each of them works better on a certain product. Steel holds heavyweight products such as industrial equipment, appliances and other items made of metal and wood. Pallet made of wood is a strong material that can hold heavy items and products that tend to rust, such as canned goods, or wet, such as perishable goods.

Fiberglass and aluminum are lightweight materials that are only meant to carry small- to medium-sized items, such as food products and fabrics. Likewise, they will only last for one to three years at their fullest capacities, making them the most practical choices for warehouse renting or short-term business needs.

  

2. Size of warehouse

Can your warehouse really accommodate vertical stacking or will it be more practical to use long span shelving instead? Although racks made of pallets or skids make inventory easier, stacking faster and transportation more convenient, you should still consider if the available storage space is high enough or if the inventory really needs wider storage racks.

If vertical stacking is what you really need, will it be used in a temperature-controlled or a well-ventilated warehouse? Will there be constant exposure to sunlight?

The racking can also be used outdoors. Will that be the case in your business? It is also possible that your warehouse is located in a flood-prone area. Do you think the storage area will often be submerged in water?

The environment where the racking will be installed dictates the lifespan of the material, so you should be very critical in choosing the right one for your warehouse. External elements can cause damages not only to your inventories but to the pallets as well. Subsequently, your inventories will pay the price. Remember that a damaged racking is as good as gone.

  

3. Your budget

Second hand racking is a practical yet safe choice when your budget cannot afford brand new ones. Installing used vertical rack is far wiser than forcing a new rack that does not meet your inventory’s needs.

There are warehousing experts that buy and sell used racking systems where you can get truly durable materials and avail of installing and dismantling services at affordable prices.