The rise in the e-commerce sector has driven businesses to find efficient warehousing and logistic solutions in the past decade. New warehouses are popping up every day to meet the demand of online retailers and consumers. Efficient inventory management is essential for the timely and error-free delivery of goods.
A crucial part of inventory and warehouse management is the efficient storage system for the materials. Pallet racking is helpful to store, organise and protect products from damage. If you plan to buy pallet racks for your office, it will be essential to consider the following points.
Planning the Layout of The Warehouse
It is crucial to consider the layout of the warehouse and its dimensions. Discuss this with the warehouse manager and the material supplier; they will have deeper insights regarding the warehouse layout and the workflow; the material supplier will suggest you the best option to meet your requirements.
It is crucial to consider the staging areas where the shipping and receiving of the products will happen. Also, consider the type of material handling equipment you will be using to access the pallet, as the forklift and trolleys. Carefully accounting for all the finer points will help you optimise the warehouse efficiencies.
Storage Requirement
It is essential to consider the product and the type of material that needs to be stored on the racks. It is vital to assess the density, weight, shelf life and frequency of delivery as it will determine the shelving you would require. Drive-on racking systems work best to store bulk items; storing a large inventory of various products in small quantities would require selective pallet racking.
Cost
The budget allocated for designing and installing the storage system will largely determine the type of storage system you opt for. There are three parts to installing an efficient pallet racking system: the storage system, design, and final installation; each component will have a cost attached. It is essential to consider the total cost of the project while budgeting.
It may be tempting to choose the cheapest pallet racking system, but considering that the storage system will last you a long time, it may not be advisable to compromise quality. A poorly designed storage system will reduce efficiency and may pose a safety hazard.
Scalability
While buying a storage system, one has to keep in mind the future storage requirement of the business. The pallet racks should be able to adapt to the growth requirements, slight alterations and significant modifications. Cantilever and selective racks are adaptable to new changes.
Durability and Strength
Pallet racks carry much weight on them; they need to be sturdy to support the same. Often, warehouse accidents happen due to failing pallet racks, leading to severe injuries to the employees, damage to the products, and efficiency losses. It is crucial to choose a durable storage system that can endure all challenges.
Vertical Space
Once you have optimised the floor space and require more space, try utilising the vertical space to increase the warehouse competencies. It could help you place large products on the higher racks to keep the same and place the smaller products to improve their visibility and make the most available space.
Product Dimension
It is essential to keep in mind the dimension of the product’s height to make the most efficient use of the space available. Other factors to consider are the turnover rate of the material, the capacity of load the pallet rack can carry, and the warehouse’s dimensions.
Conclusion
Efficient pallet racking aids cost-effective material handling; it is customisable to suit your business requirement. Pallet racks are long-lasting, and it is vital to think through all the aspects before you zero down on the racking system you wish to buy.
