About Pallet Racking
Pallet racking is a material handling storage system designed to organize palletized goods in horizontal rows across multiple vertical levels. Constructed from heavy-duty steel upright frames and horizontal load beams, pallet racking creates a robust shelving structure capable of supporting thousands of pounds of product per bay. The upright frames (or columns) determine the height and depth of the system, while the load beams span between them to create the shelf levels upon which pallets are placed. Operators use forklifts and other material handling equipment to load and retrieve pallets from the rack, making pallet racking a practical and efficient method of storing large volumes of inventory in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and retail environments.
The most widely used configuration is selective pallet racking, which provides direct forklift access to every pallet position in the system. The most common styles of pallet rack seen in facilities today are roll-formed (commonly known as teardrop due to the shape of the holes punched into the uprights) and structural bolt-together. In a roll-formed system, beams are held in place by clips that insert into the teardrop-shaped perforations, allowing for quick assembly and easy beam-level adjustments without specialized tools. Structural systems, on the other hand, use bolted connections and heavier-gauge steel for applications requiring greater load capacity or enhanced durability. Both configurations allow warehouse managers to adjust beam heights as needed, accommodating changes in product dimensions, load profiles, and operational requirements over time.
Selective racking is ideal for operations that manage a high number of SKUs with varying turnover rates without floor space concerns. Its simplicity and cost-effectiveness on a per-pallet-position basis make it the most popular racking system in use today. However, because every pallet requires its own accessible face, selective racking consumes more floor space than high density alternatives. For operations that seek to prioritize storage density over individual pallet access, systems such as drive-in, push-back, and pallet flow racking offer compelling alternatives. These high-density rack designs leverage FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) Inventory Control strategies to store large volumes of like products in a relatively compact footprint.
At its core, pallet racking exists to help businesses maximize their available warehouse space and streamline the storage and movement of goods through their logistics network. A well-designed racking system reduces product handling time, maximizes product visibility, and creates a safer, more organized workplace. Whether outfitting a new facility from the ground up or reconfiguring an existing facility to meet growing demand, partner with American Surplus to guide you to the pallet racking solution that fits your unique requirements! Our bespoke pallet racking design services guide you through the entire process from initial layouts and drawings all the way through the installation process, giving you peace of mind that your racking was installed safely, quickly, and for less than you'd expect!
