subject: The Role Of Pallet Racking In A Warehouse Environment [print this page] Companies are forever attempting to find the best way to utilise the space they have available to them, particularly those who operate out of large warehouses and have to store large objects. As a result, the storage industry is increasingly dependent on pallet racking, which has become the primary solution to the storage of pallet loaded goods.
A pallet itself is a flat transport structure that is used to support goods in a stable manner and can be easily lifted using a forklift truck. Most pallets are wooden, but they can also be made of steel or plastic. Their primary role is to make the storage of goods more consistent and uniform by ensuring that packages are the same size, making them easier to store and transport. This enables them to be stored in a space efficient manner using pallet racking. The standardisation makes it easier to ship products and transport them, particularly between countries. Binding goods down to a pallet creates an economy of space, thus saving money on storage space and transport space.
As a method of storage, pallet racking allows a warehouse environment to make the most of their storage space by stacking palletised materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels. This does mean that companies will generally require forklift trucks to lift pallets up on to the higher rungs and to load them accurately into bays to save on physical effort. The design of pallets makes them easy and secure to lift by forklift truck, thus minimising the amount of dragging, pushing and pulling performed on units that can contain valuable and/or fragile goods.
Selective pallet rack is the most common type of storage system, although a 'structural' system has the benefit of also supporting the ceiling of whichever unit it is contained within. Racking installation companies can help a business decide which style of storage device is best suited to their warehouse or retail space. It is handy to have the experts to help you out given the vast array of shapes and sizes the pallet racking poles are designed in.
Used materials are also available in order to minimise the cost of installing a new racking unit. Companies are able to offer this service as they offer a buyback scheme that sees them offer cash for used and no longer needed racking. Not only is this good for business, but it is good for the environment and a sustainable future.
