For businesses seeking the most efficient and cost effective way to store their inventory, the number of pallet racking systems out there can seem overwhelming. Choosing the right pallet racking system is more involved than simply selecting the cheapest one.

Instead, the right pallet racking system is the one that meets the unique needs of your business. This means that you must understand these needs and how they can be met with the right storage system. Here are a few factors to consider before you purchase your next pallet racking system.

Consider the number of products you have to store in your pallet racking system.

The first thing to consider when choosing a pallet racking system is how many different products you have to store. For example, do you need to store just boys’ and girls’ shoes, or do you need to store a variety of baby and children’s items? Some pallet racking systems work better for situations where only a few products are being stored, while others work well for storing many different products.

For example, a drive-in pallet racking system works best with a limited number of product types, because the system is set up to allow forklifts to drive into a bay stocked with pallets of the same or similar products in order to eliminate the need for aisles. A selective pallet racking system or push-back pallet racking system, on the other hand, works well for multiple product storage because of the number of picking faces they provide.

Consider the volume of inventory you have to store in your pallet racking system.

You also need to consider the amount of inventory you have to store when looking for the right pallet racking system. The more inventory you have to store, the more likely it is that you will need a high-density pallet racking system. These types of storage systems allow a large volume of inventory to be stored on each shelving unit in order to maximize the amount of inventory you can store in one area.

For example, the drive-in pallet racking system is a space-saving system that eliminates the need for aisles. As a result, it can store a great deal of inventory in each bay. Other systems, such as the push back pallet racking system, allow for multiple pallets to be stored on each shelf.

Consider your space when choosing a pallet racking system.

When considering the amount of inventory you have to store, you also need to consider the space you have in which to store it. You may have a great deal of inventory to store, but a very large warehouse in which to store it. In that case, you may find that a high-density storage pallet racking system is not a priority. On the other hand, if you have many products to store in a limited space, high-density storage becomes very important.

Consider whether you need FIFO or LIFO storage when choosing a pallet racking system.

Each pallet racking system is either first in first out (FIFO) or last in first out (LIFO). For example, a push-back pallet racking system is a LIFO system. The pallet that is last pushed onto the storage shelf sits in front so that it is picked first. On the other hand, a selective pallet racking system is a FIFO system, since it provides immediate access to every pallet placed on the shelving units. You may find that one or the other system is important. Deciding whether FIFO or LIFO is preferable for your business needs can help you narrow down the types of storage systems from which you choose.

Consider your picking and forklift needs when choosing a pallet racking system.

Finally, there are a number of miscellaneous factors you should consider when choosing a pallet racking system. In particular, think about how you go about picking your items and what your forklift needs are. For example, do you need to be able to pick items quickly? Are you Each Picking, Case Picking, or Picking Full pallets?  Do you need access to multiple products at once?

In addition, you need to think about your forklift needs when choosing a pallet racking system. For example, what kind of forklifts do you use? How high can they reach? Can they fit into narrow aisles? Answering these questions can help you to determine which pallet racking system best fits your needs.

Before purchasing any pallet racking system, take the time to consider all the factors, from inventory types to volume to forklift needs and more. When it comes to finding warehouse solutions, turn to Darr. We offer pallet racking systems and the forklifts that can fit any racking system need you have, as well as the guidance and support necessary to make the best decision for your business.