Warehouse Racking By The Experts In Shelving And Racking Solutions

Jan. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- What is warehouse or pallet racking?

Pallet Racking is a storage system designed to store goods on pallets. Although there are many varieties of pallet rack, all types allow for the storage of palletized materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels.

How do I buy warehouse Racking?

Buying a pallet racking or warehouse racking system can massively increase the storage capacity of any warehouse. Before buying any pallet racking system, its important to understand what types of systems are available and how to evaluate which racking system is best for your storage requirements.

A pallet racking system that is right for one company may not work for another, The type of rack you choose has to complement your materials handling policies in several ways. Here are some of aspects of your stock management system to consider

Distribution Order - Are you "FIFO" (first-in-first-out) or "LIFO" (last-in-first-out) FIFO is the most commonly used.

Loading and Unloading - Do you have forklifts that your new system needs to accomodate? Do you pick partial loads - or individual products out of your racks, or only full pallets? Do you need seperate holding and marshalling areas?

Load Restirctions - How much do your pallets weigh - specifically, whats the upper limited and whats the average? How large is a typical pallet load? Do you need to store any odd shape loads? How many pallets do you need to store? how many are of identical products? Do you need access to all products?

The answers to these questions and one or two more will determine what type of pallet or warehouse racking system you should choose. The basic tradeoff is density vs access: high-density storage systems can store far greater number of pallets in a given space, but some (or most) pallets are not immediately accessible. Low density systems can hold less pallets beacuse they dedicate more space to aisles, but they allow you to reach any one pallet at any time.

How is Pallet or Warehouse Racking Constructed?

Pallet racking systems are built from vertical frames that divide the rack into seperate areas and horizontal beams that support your pallets. A single storage area is referred to as a bay. You can choose decking to provide a "floor" in each bay, although for ventilation and ease of maintenance wire mesh deck is usually preferred, as opposed to a solid deck.

Each rack manufacturer has their own unique construction method, but there are two main options: beams are bolted directly to the frames for the greatest strength or attached using "teardrop / coffin slot / key hole" clip in construction for the most flexibility.
How much does Pallet or Warehouse Racking Cost?

The type, quantity and quality of pallet racking you buy can have an impact on price, yes we could find you a bay of pallet racking for £50-60 but it will probably be nothing more than scrap metal! Other racking systems are generally based upon a price per pallet position that may be in the region of:-

(ALL SUBJECT TO SITE SURVEY AND THE VARIOUS QUESTIONS LAID OUT ABOVE) These prices are given as a helpful guide only.

Standard Wide & Narrow Aisle Adjustable Pallet Racking £20 to £40+ per pallet location

Drive In Racking £ 60 - £90+ per pallet location

Push Back Racking £ 130 - £180+ per pallet location

These prices give you some guide to costs, but need to be taken as just that, a guide. For a detailed proposal and quotation speak to your preferred racking supplier.
Do I need to Buy from a racking manufacturer?

It might seem the logical answer to buy from a manufacturer, however they are not always the most cost effective solution provider ! Storage Equipment Distributors are normally the 1st port of call for most clients. Storage Equipment Distributor Principles are generally ex manufacturers Salesmen / Management that have established their own business in the industry following their "apprenticeship" with the manufacturers

Storage equipment distributors tend to have more experience of the industry and the product ranges, and are able to provide you with the right solution rather than the racking they need to sell to keep the factory full.
Can Total Solutions help us with our racking requirements?

Short answer is yes we can.

Our directors and sales team have worked for manufacturers, and even competitors to ensure that they get a broadest possible picture of the industry, you dont have to take our word for it, put us to the test.

We are regularly contacted by manufacturers, who ask our advice on competitors products, and have even instructed us to carry out repairs and additions to storage systems that they did not manufacture.

We would be very pleased to work with you, wether you are after spares, a rack inspection, extentions to your existing installation or just for some free and unbiased advise on a particular aspect of warehouse and racking systems. To contact us please call Steve on 0845 370 3750.

If we cant help you, then we will give you a access to a whole list of people that may.

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TS ASSOCIATES (Storage Equipment) Limited - One of the UK's specialists in the design and installation of warehouse racking, shelving and mezzanine floors