Industrial Racking Systems: Choosing the Right Type for Your Facility

Rack capacity varies by system type, upright and beam configuration, span, dimensions, load distribution, and the selected components. Industrial racks may be configured for lighter-duty through heavy-duty applications, but capacity must be determined for the specific design. A qualified layout and engineering review should confirm the allowable load before use.

Selective pallet racking is designed to provide access to any SKU at any time. It is commonly used in distribution centres, manufacturing plants, retail storage, and material-handling operations requiring high selectivity. Shelf heights can be adjusted on vertical centres, and accessories such as wire decking, pallet supports, and column protectors can support the application.

Cantilever racks are suited to long, bulky, oversized, or variable-length products that do not fit standard pallet rack openings. Their open load side avoids aisle uprights obstructing horizontal storage. Applications include tubing, pipe, lumber, furniture, sheet goods, building materials, carpet rolls, and other long items. Single-sided and double-sided configurations are available.

FIFO systems move the first-loaded product out first, supporting dated, lot-controlled, and time-sensitive inventory. Pallet flow and carton flow racks use gravity-flow lanes for this purpose. LIFO systems remove the most recently loaded product first and are used where that rotation is acceptable. Push-back racks are a high-density LIFO option.

Mobile racking moves rack units to reduce the number of permanently open aisles. Mobile pallet racking opens one working aisle at a time, while mobile storage racks provide adjustable positioning for changing storage requirements. Manual, mechanical-assist, and powered options may be available depending on the system and operating conditions.

Services include AutoCAD layout design, rack layout drawings, application consultation, installation through factory-recommended and insured installers, project management, final inspection, preventative maintenance, equipment inspections, and rack relocation. RMI rack inspections and ANSI MH16.1 compliance inspections are also available for applicable systems.