What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of warehouse pallet racking

Regardless of whether you are relocating to a new warehouse, expanding your current warehouse, or simply need a temporary storage solution, purchasing a pallet racking system is a major decision. Pallet racks are not only a significant financial investment, they are also an integral part of your warehouse's day-to-day operations. Before deciding on a new racking system, you must first consider your options. Fortunately, there is no shortage of warehousing supplies, both new and used, available for purchase. While there are several benefits associated with buying new pallet racks, there are just as many advantages to purchasing used pallet racking. The deciding factor will ultimately depend on your application, but you must first understand the pros and cons of each. Read on as we explore the advantages and disadvantages of used versus new pallet racking systems.

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New Pallet Racking

New pallet racks are best used in brand new warehouse facilities. They have several benefits and disadvantages, which are outlined below.

The Pros

New pallet racking gives warehouse managers the ability to fully customize their pallet racking systems from the get-go. With new pallet racking, you are able to get the exact warehouse solution that you need for your space. For instance, if you purchase a new racking system, you can configure your racks so that they are accessible by multiple material-handling systems or even add a mezzanine level for added storage space. A new racking system will also be more aesthetically pleasing compared to used systems, as the latter has endured its fair share of wear and tear.

The Cons

Despite the many benefits that new pallet racking has to offer, there is a major drawback to consider: the price tag. The financial side of purchasing a new system is undoubtedly less attractive than the shelving itself. The upfront costs associated with buying a new pallet rack are quite high compared to that of a used system. If you're looking to save money, new pallet racking might not be the best option.

Used Pallet Racking

From costing less to being better for the environment, used pallet racks offer many advantages. However, just like their new counterparts, they still have their own set of drawbacks that you should consider. These pros and cons are discussed further below.

The Pros

The advantages of buying a used pallet racking system include lower upfront costs, easy assembly, convenience, and environmental friendliness.

Lower Upfront Costs: Warehousing and inventory management is a large expense for most businesses. When investing in a pallet racking system, it is important that you get the most value out of your purchase. With a used system, you are spending a lot less, which means you can use that money elsewhere for operational improvements.

Easy Assembly: If you purchase a new pallet racking system, you will likely need a custom solution that is made from scratch. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time to design and order. Used racking, on the other hand, can save you time when it comes to the installation process, as these racks have already been in use and should not be difficult to put together.

Convenience: Instead of investing in a new pallet racking system when you need a temporary solution, buy a used system. Businesses that are in the midst of a transition phase often lease temporary warehouse space as an intermediate inventory management solution. Because you only need the racking system for the short-term, it would be wise to go with the less expensive option of used pallet racks.

Environmentally Friendly: Reusing old pallet racks extends the product's lifecycle, which reduces extra waste and the resources used when new racks are produced. For companies that value sustainability, buying a used pallet rack is a great way to employ environmentally friendly practices.

The Cons

One of the biggest concerns of buying a used pallet racking system is safety. Unless you are purchasing your used pallet racks from a trusted source, you cannot be certain that the system is rated for the load capacity that it is claimed to be. In addition, used systems are usually not sold with any kind of warranty. Therefore, if you find that your racking system is faulty in any way, you are stuck with it. Lastly, older pallet racking systems require more maintenance and repairs than new ones do.

As stated before, choosing the right pallet racking system is more than just evaluating the pros and cons of new versus used systems. Instead, it involves careful consideration of your warehouse's floor space, ceiling height, and other important factors. If want to see all of your pallet racking options, Darr Equipment has a wide array of both new and used equipment for your convenience. Additionally, we offer comprehensive warehouse solutions to help you achieve the layout and design you desire, all while providing you with guidance on which shelving options are right for your warehouse. Contact us today to learn more.

Good news: an array of warehouse-hacking pallet storage solutions exist to turn your facility into an organized and profitable picking machine. Bad news: without underpinning your precise needs the options for racks can be a little difficult to sift through.

Before your company spends significant chunks of the budget for a system that isn't a true solution, get clear on the following:

• Your max spend for a racking solution
• The total floor space and ceiling height available for pallet storage
• Number of different products for which you need rack storage
• Frequency with which you need to access products in your racks
• Shelf life of your products
• What kind of truck access you'll need including lift height

From there you'll have the basics you need to approach the following pallet solutions from an informed place. We've also listed some pro/con factors for quick reference:

Cantilever Racks

Maximizing space is top-priority in any warehouse operation. When storing lengthy, over-dimensional products like tubing or lumber it becomes positively critical. Structural or Roll-Formed Cantilever Racking offers compact and adaptable storage that differs from standard, less flexible pallet racking.

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An absence of front columns means bulky or oddly shaped items like furniture can easily take up residence across an entire row without impacting your limited space. These racks also accommodate substantial handling clearance for larger, over-length items like piping or carpet rolls thanks to the increased horizontal space.

Pros

• Long and open clearance leads that are perfect for lengthy items like building materials or furniture
• Flexible multi-length levels can be adjusted for different SKUs

Cons

• Warehouse space typically needs to have generous aisle widths large enough to accommodate picking and restocking

Drive In Pallet Rack

High-density warehouse spaces that accommodate products with long shelf lives are always in need of more storage capacity. Cost-effective drive-in pallet racks can help increase storage by up to 75%. They're especially great for Last in, first out (LIFO) or First in, first out configurations (FIFO) where products don't always require immediate accessibility.

The decreased aisle space reduces the square footage requirement and simplifies forklift paths by making the entry and exit point at each opposite end the same.

Pros

• Cost-effective solution for LIFO or FIFO access
• Unmatched storage potential for items which don't require immediate access

Cons

• Difficult to reach all non-end rack pallets by forklift
• Potential for rack damage from fork trucks as they navigate narrower aisles

Push Back Rack

Push back racks are often the front-runner solution for warehouses challenged by limited space. That's because they offer as much as 90% more product storage than selective rack systems by eliminating the need for multiple loading/unloading aisles.

Push back racks work similar to a vending machine. Once a product is selected, subsequent pallet carts to roll forward. The mechanism consists of a series of nesting carts that move along steel rails. This provides easy access to an array of products and SKU's that can each be stored at different levels. Not unlike a drive-in pallet rack, the system uses an LIFO inventory control approach. However in this system, the fork trucks needn't enter the rack.

Pros

• High storage density without the need to drive into the rack, limiting potential damage
• Front loading/unloading eliminating the need for multiple aisles

Cons

• Inability to access all pallets
• Limited depth' restricted to 4-5 lanes max

Pallet Flow Rack

High volume and fast moving product is a unique combo that requires a special solution to stay on top of picking. A high-quality gravity-fed pallet flow rack system is just the solution to help cut costs while saving on valuable space.

Inclined shelves use gravity's natural force to naturally draw palletized loads forward to the designated picking position. Deep pallets save on square footage by acting as substitutes for aisles. Product is loaded from one side and picked from the opposite side.

Pros

• Products can be stored 20+ pallets deep creating an ideal high-density storage solution
• Singular loading/unloading point limits damage from forklifts
• Flow racks can be added to nearly any existing pallet rack configuration

Cons

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• Can be a more costly investment than other storage options
• Poor accessibility to all pallets