What is Warehouse Racking? Types of Latest Racking Systems (2021)

 Decent inventory management has been so critical for streamlining warehouse operations in today's fast-moving & highly competitive environment. It is one of the biggest problems faced by warehouse specialists. "Nothing is permanent," as the saying goes. By selecting the right warehouse racking system, this challenge can also be easily managed!

In this article, we’ll deep dig into what exactly this warehouse racking system is? What are its different types and how does one choose its best type from many?

Is it true you are excited to know all these facts? Why waste time & let's discuss together!

What exactly warehouse racking is?

In general, warehouse racking is the shelf system, arrangement, and a section of the physical layout necessary to carry the inventory items.

Generally, composed of plastic, alloy, and wood, warehouse racking plays a vital role in how simple & quick it is to store, organize, and retrieve your inventory items! 

With a compelling racking framework, you can deal with your stock activities hassle-free & take your storage to next level. 

Considering path width, docking areas, shipping fields, and other useful warehouse segments, you can structure a racking system. Along these lines, you can limit space and assist yourself with getting sorted out stock! 

It's pretty much as basic as that!!!

Different Types Of Warehouse Racking System?

There is a range of warehouse racking systems available in the industry. They may either be known as pallet racking systems or materials handling systems! 

Here we’ve summarised all of them in one list. Let’s read it out thoroughly! 

• Selective Racking System
• Push Back Racking System
• Drive-In and Drive-through
• Carton Flow Racking System
• Narrow Aisle Racking System
• Mobile Racking
• Satellite Racking System

Selective Racking System

The most popular and widely used warehouse racking system is the selective racking system. Usually, this sort of racking system comes in 2 versions. The first is roll-shaped, otherwise known as clip-in or welded frames, and the second is the form of the structural bolt-together.

For narrow aisle racking & deep-reach operations, this warehouse racking system is fine. Since this system needs specialized narrow lift trucks and accommodates a single pallet in-depth, it provides efficient space utilization and easy access to any stored load.

Main Functionalities 

• Supports FIFO's core functionality, i.e. First In - First Out Out 
• Without restrictions, entrance to every pallet 
• At lower stages, it also makes order picks. 
• Warehouse Usage: 90 percent 

When is one supposed to use it? 

• Where the number of pallets per unit of inventory is comparatively smaller (SKU). 
• When you want free entry at a certain time to every pallet.

Push Back Racking System

This is another of the most useful warehouse racking systems developed primarily to use space by depth instead of width! This system's depth structure reduces the amount of space and increases stockpiling thickness.

Explicitly utilized for mass stockpiling, this framework stores item that length 2-5 pallets. At the point when a pallet is stacked onto the framework, it pushes the following pallet back, and when a pallet is unloaded, it is pushed to the front of the system.

Key Features

• Free aisles of 3 to 3.4m
• It supports the fundamental characteristics of FILO ie. First in last out for each slot
• It can be 3 or 4 pallets deep, but usually only 2 pallets deep
• Pallets are driven back from the aisle by forklift trucks
• Practiced for comprehensive pallet storage only
• Warehouse Utilisation: 85-90%

When One Must Use It?

• When you have more pallets per stock-keeping unit and want to achieve better storage density.
• When order picking is not significant within push back racking.

Drive-In and Drive-through

Drive-in and drive-through is another amazing racking system that enables the forklift to drive directly into the lane of stacked rows, termed as bay. The major difference between a drive-in and a drive-thru racking system is whether the bays have an entrance at only one end, or at both ends! 

A common entry and exit are used by drive-in systems, while drive-thru racking systems provide entry gateways at either end of the bay. The system provides storage of commodities of absolute density and eliminates aisles in a warehouse. In addition, it is excellent for storing a vast range of related goods in a small area!

Key Features

• It follows FILO i.e. First In Last Out for each bay.
• The forklift pushes down the passage of each racking bay to collect or pick up pallets.
• This system also follows the operation of block stacking.
• Wearhouse Utilisation: 50-60%
• Storage Utilization: 60-65%
• No chance of mixing products.

When One Must Use It?

• When FILO is not a hurdle 
• In a high-density composition, where the enclosure of approved products is required. 
• Inside each racking bay, if you do not want to combine stock-keeping units. 
• Your focus is on high-density capacity only.

Carton Flow Racking System

This method of racking is also known as gravity flow or dynamic racks of flow. The racking system is typically a storage system with high density that uses depth to increase space. In addition, a slightly inclined rail with rollers is also utilized in this racking system that allows pallets to travel easily through the sloped area.

One major benefit of a flow racking system is it does not need electricity for the entire operation. Racks use gravity rollers that move in association with the brake & speed controllers.

Key Features

• Follow FIFO.
• Warehouse Utilization: 70 – 75%
• Accessibility: Supports forklifts.
• Versatility: Best for storing the same stock-keeping units and ideal for high-volume goods.
• Storage Utilization: 85 – 90%

When One Must Use It?

• When FIFO is a priority.
• When high-volume goods need to be stored quickly.
• When there are no restrictions for forklifts.

Narrow Aisle Racking System

For optimum storage usage inside a warehouse, this system is perfect! In general, narrow aisle racking systems work in combination with rail-guided reach-truck systems, which usually consist of angle iron bolted down the length of each bay to the deck.

The best advantage of this racking system is that it is so quick to pick up that it results in increased warehouse utilization. Generally, narrow aisle racking follows the features of a selective racking system that provides nearly all the pallets with better access.

Key Features

• Narrow aisle of 1.8 to 2.2m
• Turret trucks retrieve and put away pallets from pick and deposit sites.
• Turret trucks need wire or mechanical guidance down the length of each aisle
• Only one machine is needed in an aisle at a time
• Wearhouse Utilisation: 90%
• Storage Utilization: 95%
• Versatility: A number of goods can be stored.

When One Must Use It?

• When high SKUs with comparatively small amounts per SKU are needed. 
• Where you need a satisfying use of space. 
• In your warehouse, if you want to increase the storage density. 
• When you have a huge quantity of resources moving in and out.

Mobile Racking

This warehouse racking system is also known as a mobile industrial rack system, which is designed to maximize the use of warehouse storage space! This system is famous for reducing the pallet storage area in half or double the capacity of your rack storage in the same floor area.

Key Features

• Aisle of 3 to 3.4m
• Mobile bases with casters
• Perfect for high-density storage, with supreme selectivity
• Wearhouse Utilisation: 90%
• Mobile racks travel to concede entrance to pallets
• Only 1 aisle opens at a time

When One Must Use It?

• When there is a huge amount of storage requirement.
• When manufacturing and operating expenses are high.

Satellite Racking System

The satellite system is the final and the other most amazing warehouse racking system on this list. Just like selective & other racking systems, this high-density, multiple-deepening with the single objective of moving pallets from one end to another has also become so famous.

The advantage of this state-of-the-art system is its ability to run up and down bays, retrieve and return pallets to the front! This implies that the system will ensure denser storage and space-efficiency, while also improving the efficiency of forklift drivers.

Key Features

• Follows FIFO, LIFO, or both
• Excellent bracing in the frame 
• Ultimate protection from racking for secure inventory operation 
• Contains damage reduction protectors

When One Must Use It?

• When SKUs with high-stock levels are required. 
• In a variety of widths, depths, and thicknesses, the rack demands perfection.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Warehouse Racking System

Each warehouse has its own demand set. Without hindering your inventory operations, the best racking system must be able to enhance space utilization. 

Read these factors to know which racking system is suitable for your warehouse: 

• Budget - Per pallet, the expected cost. 
• Floor Usage - How efficiently can the warehouse floor space be maximized by a racking system? 
• Versatility - The ability of a wide range of assets to hold the racking systems. 
• Inventory Management - The inventory retrieval management required by the warehouse. 
• Utilization of Storage - What amount of space do you need in the racking system? It essentially depends on your load's quantity, size, and weight. 
• Accessibility - How can bulky cargo be accessed effectively by forklifts?

Summary!

We think you have thoroughly read the data about the warehouse or pallet racking system and will choose the best one accordingly. If you have any doubts or would like to know more, ask us in the comment below. 

We'll give you the best possible response! 

Well, Happy Reading!  Enjoy Racking System Selection!

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