Logical storage solutions blog

8 things to consider when buying pallet racking

Buying pallet racking for your businesses’ warehouse can be a great investment, however you need to ensure you are choosing the correct type for your business needs. Here we discuss 8 things you should consider before buying pallet racking as it is a long-term investment.

1. Accessibility
You need to think about what you will be storing in your pallet racking and how often your staff will need to access it. Ensure your pallet racking has enough space for you to place slow-moving stock at the back and have faster-moving stock at the front in a more convenient and accessible position. Before ordering the racking, you need to plan where all your stock will go, and plan based on how often you need to access it. It will depend on the type of stock you have as well as the type of operational system you have running in your warehouse.

2. Space and warehouse layout
You also need to consider what space you have within your warehouse to work with. Again, you need to plan in advance where all the stock will be going, whilst ensuring there is enough space for your staff to move around, especially as you may need equipment such as cranes and forklift trucks to help get higher pallets. Racking systems are available in a range of heights so make sure you make the most out of the height you have available in your warehouse. Increasing your storage vertically can make your warehouse more cost-effective, reduces your need to relocate and find larger premises and uses what would otherwise be wasted space.

3. Durability
You need to ensure the pallet racking you are buying matches your needs. How long after the racking is installed would you ideally like it to last? Pallet racking varies and you need to match the type to your needs. If you require the most durable pallet racking available, then you need to decide this before purchasing and look at the specifications carefully. There are cheaper options out there such as second-hand pallet racking, but if durability is a main concern for you, then these options may not be suitable for you.

4. Size of pallets
A major consideration is the size of the pallets you need to store. Figure this out first and choose suitable pallet racking to match.

5. Adjustability
Although you may have all your warehouse and pallet racking plans sorted, the requirements may change in the future. If you think this is likely, ask about whether the pallet racking you are interested in can be adjusted in the future (such as shelf height). Knowing this information in advance will give you peace of mind that if there are changes to your stock in the future, your pallet racking can adapt to meet these needs, avoiding more racking needing to be purchased.

6. Safety
Always ensure that safety is a high priority when choosing pallet racking. You need to ensure that you have bought a high standard product that you know will be fit for purpose. Ensure you always have your pallet racking inspected regularly as you have no guarantee that an accident will not happen as a result. Also ensure that all staff are fully trained before accessing stock from pallet racking.

7. Purpose
There is not a one size fits all option when it comes to pallet racking. The types vary dramatically depending on their purpose and so you need to think about this before choosing. Whether it is a wide aisle, very narrow aisle or double deep, consider what you need to store on them and also what room you have available in your warehouse before you decide on what style is best for you.

8. Budget
Inevitability your choice will be constrained by your budget for a new racking system. Cost will always be a significant factor for many businesses, but you need to ensure that you have weighed up all the options equally and not base your decision solely on price. If you do this, you could end up with a lower quality product that does not suit your business’ needs exactly and could end up costing you more in the long run. Always discuss your options fully first and ensure you choose the option that best suits your businesses’ operations.

Pallet racking is an important investment for your company. Before you buy, ensure you have thought about the factors discussed above in detail to ensure you have chosen the correct options for your company to continue working at its most efficient. Choosing the wrong type of pallet racking can not only waste your money and time, it can also lead to less productivity, damaged goods or even workplace accidents.

Here at Logical Storage, we offer a range of racking solutions for warehouses. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.