Companies, warehouses, and facilities always look for efficient ways to store their goods. Fortunately, pallet racking is an easy choice; it is a strong, convenient, cost-effective option for stocking and organizing items. Whether you are in the market for new or used pallet racks, selecting the right products for your business is essential. Look through the top ten questions below to help you choose the best pallet racking.
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Choosing the right type of pallet rack for your specific storage requirements is important. To make an informed decision, you must consider factors such as what items you will be storing and their size, weight, and volume. Depending on your needs, you may require specialized equipment like cantilever racks for large and lengthy items, pushback systems for cubes, or wide-span shelving for medium to large storage.
When you are buying new or used, it may be easy to find the original manufacturer. However, if you are buying used pallet racks, spend time checking compatibility. Accordingly, you can look forward to a smooth and seamless installation, plus you can take advantage of manufacturer maintenance and repair guides.
Your storage systems should hold the weight of your items for an extended period. Likewise, if you plan to store items with varying weights and sizes, your storage solutions should be able to evenly distribute the total weight. Ultimately, you want to invest in a storage system built to last and remain sturdy for many years.
Another critical factor to consider is the height of the equipment. Ideally, it will fit your facility and hold your total volume of goods. You can also accommodate future storage needs by installing full vertical pallet racks or leaving room for add-on parts.
Companies looking for pallet racks can choose between new and used options. They both offer distinct advantages that can make one more appealing than the other. Some businesses prefer the convenience and confidence of choosing a brand-new storage system. Others do not mind spending a little more time evaluating and selecting the right used solutions to save money.
Buying used doesn’t keep you from getting the best pallet racking you possibly can. However, if you’re buying used pallet racks, assessing their condition beforehand is essential. While reputable suppliers typically do not sell low-quality pallets, the state of used pallets can vary from fair to like-new. It is best to stick with your preferred condition across all selected products, ensuring maximum stability and structural integrity.
Safety should always be a priority when selecting pallet racking; your team will work around and with your storage, so you want to ensure everyone is protected. One way to do this is by verifying whether the storage system you’re considering has any safety features. Additionally, consider purchasing accessories like rack guards, rack enclosures, shield panels, or industrial safety guardrails to further enhance the safety of your storage system.
When selecting suitable warehouse storage, your budget is a critical factor. However, choosing a supplier you can trust and high-quality products is equally important. If you want to save money, buying used pallet racks is worth considering. You can still find racks in excellent condition that suit your needs perfectly.
Selecting a supplier that offers a full delivery and installation package is helpful. It ensures that your pallet racks are correctly set up and secured, giving you complete peace of mind. Many teams will also offer advice and suggestions to help you keep your storage systems in excellent condition.
Finally, it is crucial to look into your pallet rack supplier. It’s always a good idea to research and read reviews from other clients to better understand the quality of their products, level of service, and customer care.
Asking the right questions to find the best pallet racking is essential to making the best decision for your business. Doing so lets you choose a storage system that fits your needs, maintains its quality, and lasts for a long time. So, take the time to ask the above ten questions and make an excellent, informed decision.
Pallet rack is often the most cost-effective way to store inventory while maximizing your warehouse space. Rack systems are configured to take advantage of otherwise unused cube space while keeping SKUs organized and safe from damage. With a wide variety of manufacturers, systems designs, capacities, and materials, choosing the best pallet racking for your facility will take careful consideration… and some helpful advice. Here are 7 Buying Tips that our warehouse storage system experts recommend.
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Tip #1 – Buying Based on Price is Very Risky – for so many reasons, this is a necessary caution. At a minimum, your pallet rack must be configured to withstand your expected inventory capacity, warehouse activity, and climate/wash down requirements.
A less costly rack may have a smaller price tag for any number of reasons, such as:
All that being noted, it doesn’t mean you can never choose the least expensive option; just be sure you know what you are getting and that it meets your warehousing needs.
Tip #2 – Material Quality and Interchangeability – pallet rack is manufactured from steel, but there are different types of rack resulting in a discernible difference in steel thickness. Rack systems are either manufactured as structural or roll-formed. Structural steel rack is formed from hot rolled channel steel. It is very durable and can withstand more abuse than its lighter weight and very popular roll-formed rack counterpart. Roll-formed is molded by feeding steel through dies to form a particular shape. Roll-formed systems are typically manufactured from 12 – 16 gauge steel making them lighter and less expensive to ship. While they can withstand significant load capacities like structural systems, they are more vulnerable to damage from equipment and harsh conditions.
Tip #3 – Seismic Considerations – there are seven seismic zones (A-E) in the United States. Depending on which zone you are building in, your rack system must meet the requirements of that region and particular zip code, which can include using heavier gauge steel, larger baseplates, anchoring modifications, different bracing, etc. This is one area of rack purchasing where consulting with an expert will save you significant time and expense purchasing unsafe racking. The WOI team will help you understand the seismic requirements for your area to ensure a safe design and installation.
Tip #4 – Be Selective… or Be Dense – selectivity vs. storage density is an important distinction for your rack system. For example, a selective rack system provides 100% accessibility to every pallet, but it is only one pallet deep, meaning that every pallet must have its own SKU face. If your inventory comprises a significant number of low-volume SKUs, that is an excellent option for you. If you have fewer SKUs with a high volume of each, you will want a dense storage solution to consolidate your rack footprint.
Tip #5 – Use a Reputable Rack Manufacturer – this is an area where reputation really does matter. Leading rack manufacturers have a lot riding on the success of their rack systems. An established rack manufacturer relies on strict quality controls, conditions, and safety checks. They will also provide warranty and expert service technicians, engineering, and field support. International manufacturers, by comparison, may not meet U.S. quality regulations or RMI standards, and you may have difficulty with installation, service, certificate of occupancy, and/or rack safety. This is one area where “Go with what you know” is the right answer. Asking for references is always a good practice.
Tip #6 – Used Rack Risk – Used rack systems are abundant. What is less abundant is often the information specific to each rack system, i.e., manufacturer, gauge, specifications, stresses from the original installation, etc. Again the initial price point can be very tempting, but with the work that you have to put into gathering specs, producing engineering plans for approval, reconfiguring to meet your inventory requirements, perhaps replacing base plates or refurbishing components, and potential installation difficulties, you have to seriously consider the projected final costs of a custom-designed new system to a reconfigured used rack system.
Tip #7 – Is Appearance Important? – most likely, you will choose colors to paint the components of your rack system, but is paint just paint? We suggest looking for a powder coat finish over other popular options. It is more durable, able to withstand washdown, and has a nicer overall finish. A galvanized coat will add a moisture barrier to protect the rack against corrosion. A little expense upfront can save you down the road in repairs and replacement.
There is a lot more to purchasing pallet rack than looks and cost. These systems last for many years, so a smart investment should check off your inventory needs for today and as much as you can anticipate into the future. Working with an experienced, professional dealer like Warehouse Optimizers, Inc. (WOI) will get you the most cost-effective result.
The WOI team will walk you through every stage of the process. We strive for nothing less than expert customer service to deliver outstanding results and peace of mind. We call it our 5-Step Total Satisfaction Experience™.
WOI will:
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