Optimizing Warehouse Efficiency with Pallet Racks

Optimizing Warehouse Efficiency with Pallet Racks

Efficient warehouse management is at the core of a successful supply chain. Pallet racks, versatile and fundamental components of warehousing, play a crucial role in achieving optimal efficiency. Here at Simply Rack we can help you optimize your warehouse. We’ll explore the key strategies for leveraging pallet racks to enhance warehouse productivity, organization, and overall efficiency. Layout, design, accessibility, and safety are some of the many factors to consider when deciding how to best optimize your warehouse space. pallet racking beams

Strategic Layout and Design

The foundation of a highly efficient warehouse lies in its layout and design. When it comes to pallet racks these are some of the items you will want to consider.

Logical Flow: Design the layout to follow a logical flow from receiving to shipping. This reduces travel time for goods and minimizes congestion.

Space Utilization: Optimize vertical space by choosing the right height for your pallet racks. High ceilings can be utilized with taller racks, maximizing storage capacity without expanding the footprint. Teardrop racking enables optimal utilization of vertical space, empowering you to stack pallets vertically and make efficient use of your warehouse’s height. This vertical storage approach not only conserves valuable floor space but also significantly augments your overall storage capacity.

Aisles and Accessibility: Choose between narrow, wide, or very narrow aisles based on your forklift and handling equipment. Ensure that racks are easily accessible for efficient loading and unloading.

 

Selective Pallet Racking for Accessibility

Selective pallet racks are indispensable. Offering direct access to each pallet, they stand as an ideal choice for facilities housing a diverse array of products. This design promotes effortless retrieval of individual pallets, significantly boosting efficiency in handling various SKUs.. If you need quick access selective pallet racking allows for direct access to each pallet, making it ideal for fast-moving goods. Place high-demand items at ground level for easy access. Regularly rotate stock to prevent older items from getting lost or damaged. This ensures that inventory stays fresh and reduces the risk of obsolescence.

High-Density Storage Systems

Unlike traditional racking systems, high-density options like drive-in and push-back racks optimize storage by reducing aisle space and capitalizing on vertical room. These systems allow for the compact storage of pallets, making them ideal for warehouses with a large volume of goods and limited square footage. If you need to maximize storage these types of systems are for you. 

Implement the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle in high-density systems to ensure that older inventory is used first, reducing the risk of product spoilage or obsolescence. If you want to maximize storage density and do not need to have immediate access then drive-in pallet racks excel. By eliminating aisles, they optimize storage density, proving ideal for scenarios involving a substantial quantity of the same product with minimal turnover. This design is notably effective, especially in applications such as cold storage.

Inventory Management

In the realm of inventory management and pallet racking, the First In, First Out (FIFO) system is a methodology designed to ensure the rotation and usage of goods in the order they were received. This system is particularly crucial for products with expiration dates or those susceptible to obsolescence. In FIFO systems, newer stock is placed behind or below existing stock, and picking occurs from the front or the top. This approach minimizes the risk of product spoilage or outdated inventory, making it an ideal choice for industries where product freshness is paramount, such as in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. FIFO ensures that older inventory is utilized before newer stock, contributing to optimal inventory turnover. Pallet flow racks operate on the principle of first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory management and should be used to optimize your warehouse storage if you are storing these types of products.

Specialized Racking for Specific Products

If your warehouse stores specific products like long or irregular shaped items like lumber or pipes then you may want to consider using cantilever racks in order to optimize warehouse efficiency.

Pallet racks are not just storage solutions; they are integral components in the optimization of warehouse efficiency. By strategically designing layouts and selecting the right types of racks warehouses can achieve significant improvements in productivity and overall efficiency. As the backbone of an organized and streamlined warehouse, pallet racks contribute to the smooth functioning of the supply chain, ensuring timely deliveries and customer satisfaction. Simply Rack can help you choose the pallet rack that is the right choice for you and your business to optimize warehouse efficiency. Our selection of warehouse storage equipment is kept in stock at our Central Texas location, easily accessible from anywhere along the I-35 corridor from Oklahoma City, Austin, Dallas, Houston and  San Antonio. selection of warehouse storage equipment is kept in stock at our Central Texas location, easily accessible from anywhere along the I-35 corridor from Oklahoma City, Austin, Dallas, Houston and  San Antonio. 

Racking Beams: Types and Characteristics

Racking Beams: Types and Characteristics

Racking systems are the backbone of efficient warehousing and storage facilities, and racking beams play a pivotal role in this infrastructure. They provide support for pallets, boxes, and various types of goods, ensuring that your inventory is stored securely and can be accessed with ease. We will explore the different types of racking beams and their characteristics to help you make informed decisions when setting up or optimizing your warehouse storage.

Types of Racking Beams

There are many factors to consider when choosing racking beams including load capacity, length, compatibility, durability, adjustability, safety features, and cost. 

1. Step Beams

Step beams, also known as box beams or box step beams, are the most common type of racking beams. They feature a rectangular cross-section, with a step or ledge on the top surface. This step allows for easy placement of pallets and provides extra stability by preventing them from sliding off.

Characteristics:

  • Versatile and widely used.
  • Suitable for a variety of pallet types and sizes including Teardrop racking systems 
  • Easy to install and adjust.
  • Can handle significant weight capacities.
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2. Structural Beams

Structural beams are designed for heavy-duty applications and are often used in high-density storage systems. Unlike step beams, structural beams have a closed, tubular shape, which enhances their load-bearing capacity and resistance to deflection.

Characteristics:

3. Wire Mesh Decking

While not technically beams, wire mesh decking is an important component of pallet racking systems. They are wire grids that sit on top of the beams, creating a solid surface for non-palletized items or cartons.

Characteristics:

  • Provides additional safety by preventing items from falling through.
  • Ideal for storing cartons, boxes, and items with irregular shapes.
  • Many teardrop pallet racking systems incorporate wire mesh decking on top of step beams.
  • Increases visibility and allows for better fire sprinkler penetration.
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4. Box Beams

Box beams, as the name suggests, have a hollow, box-like cross-section. They combine the advantages of both step beams and structural beams, offering good load-bearing capacity with the convenience of step beams.

Characteristics:

  • Suitable for a range of load capacities.
  • Compatible with various pallet sizes.
  • Easy to clean and maintain.
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Racking beams are essential components of any efficient warehousing and storage system. Choosing the right type of beam and considering their key characteristics is crucial for optimizing your warehouse space, ensuring safety, and maximizing productivity. Whether you opt for step beams, structural beams, box beams, or wire mesh decking, selecting the appropriate racking beams tailored to your specific needs is a critical step towards a well-organized and functional warehouse. For all your pallet racking needs, reach out to Simply Rack today! Whether you’re looking for expert guidance, tailored solutions, or Quick Ship convenience, we’re here to help. Contact us now at 512-869-2803 or visit our location at 8560 North IH 35 Service Road, Georgetown, TX 78626, United States. Your optimized warehouse storage journey starts here with Simply Rack.

Racking Protection: Column Protectors & Pallet Stops

Racking Protection: Column Protectors & Pallet Stops

A Deep Dive into Racking Protection Solutions with Simply Rack

Tracy from Simply Racks discusses essential strategies for safeguarding your warehouse racking system. In this episode, she explores the benefits of end-of-row protection and column protection, emphasizing their roles in preventing forklift damage and maintaining structural integrity.

What You'll Learn

  • Why end-of-row protection with yellow bollards is crucial for shielding against forklift collisions and protecting pallets from impacts.
  • How column protection, a metal multiflora option, effectively minimizes damage to the lower 16 inches of uprights by allowing the forklift to hit the product on the column protector first.
  • When single pallet stops come into play, preventing pallets from overextending and hitting walls while ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations for secure pallet seating.

Enhance the safety and durability of your warehouse racking system with SimplyRack’s protective solutions. For all your pallet racking needs, reach out to Simply Rack today! Whether you’re looking for expert guidance, tailored solutions, or Quick Ship convenience, we’re here to help. Contact us now at 512-869-2803 or visit our location at 8560 North IH 35 Service Road, Georgetown, TX 78626, United States. Your optimized warehouse storage journey starts here with Simply Rack.

Listen to the audio version below!

Transcript for the audio/video

Tracy Jackson: Hi guys, this is Tracy from Simply Rack.

Today, we’re going to talk about protecting your racking system. One of the options for row ends is end of row protection, which are the yellow bowlers that protect a forklift from backing in or pallets to be pushed against it. Well, orange option, which is column protection the majority of upright damage is the lower 16 inches of the upright and this metal multiflora option will allow the forklift to hit the product on the column protector before actually hitting the racking system. Yes, it will actually damage the column protector, but better that than the uprights. This is not a save all for the racking. The forklift is obviously a lot larger and heavier, but it certainly does help, especially since the end of row protection protects the bollard, where the bollard protects you upright excuse me and is anchored with three-quarter inch anchors per end of row and they connect here in the middle. So, for instance, these are 42 inch deep uprights with a 12 inch push base, so this is a 48 inch deep end of row protection, matches perfectly in the middle and looks great.

Hi guys, this is Tracy with SimplyRack. We’re going to talk about protecting your walls and flue space against the wall. The item that you’re looking at here is called a single pallet stop and connects to the beam through the wire so that it stops the pallet from overextending and hitting the wall. It still allows the pallet to overhang three to four inches so that if you have a 48 inch deep pallet on a 42 inch deep upright, you’re going to have overhang front and back, which is exactly what OSHA wants you to have. You need to have overhang so that the pallet is seated securely on the front and back beam.

If you have a fire code that requires flue space protection, we do have a double where the uprights are back to back. That can be provided as well. When installing the column protectors, you’re going to want to make sure that the column protector itself is not touching the upright. That’s so if the forklift hits the column protector and it bends backwards, as it’s supposed to do, it doesn’t actually crease into the upright and it’s done its job. The single pallet stops, as you can see from the side angle, extend over about three inches and as the pallet hits it, the weight triangles into the beam so that you’re not going to damage the pallet stop for your product.

Guide to Buying Pallet Racking & Bulk Shelving

Guide to Buying Pallet Racking & Bulk Shelving

Expert Tips On Buying Warehouse Storage For Your Business

In this episode, join Tracy Jackson of Simply Rack and Warehouse Equipment as she covers the intricate process of purchasing warehouse storage solutions. From conceptualization to execution, you’ll learn the ropes of efficiently obtaining pallet racking, cantilever, and bulk shelving tailored precisely to your needs, ensuring your storage solutions are as efficient as they are effective. Tune in now to optimize your warehouse space and storage strategy!

What You'll Learn

  • How to effectively purchase warehouse storage solutions, leveraging both consultative guidance and the user-friendly Quick Ship forms
  • Why you should make informed decisions regarding dimensions and load capacities, optimizing your storage for maximum efficiency
  • What essential factors to consider in terms of payment options and delivery methods, ensuring a smooth and tailored acquisition process

Listen to the audio version below!

Transcript for the audio/video

Tracy Jackson:

Hi, I’m Tracy Jackson with Simply Rack and Warehouse Equipment. Today we’re going to discuss the buying process. How do you actually buy pallet racking from us, and what do you need to buy? It shouldn’t just be pallet racking, it could also be cantilever or bulk shelving. We make it very easy to purchase. You can call us and we can discuss your needs of what you’re specifically needing, or we can send you our quick ship form. which is product we stock in our inventory and down, excuse me, cut that. Or you can look at our quickship form, which is product that we stock at our warehouse in Georgetown, Texas.

We can deliver, whichever you prefer. We try and make it as simple as process. We try and make this process as simple as possible for you to get the product you need for your warehouse. The product you need for your warehouse. Okay, first on our quickship form will be the uprights. The uprights are the end pieces and we’ll need to know the depth and the height. The depth is determined by what you’re storing on it. If you’re storing a standard pallet, which is 40 inches wide and 48 inches deep, you’re gonna need a 42 inch deep upright. And then you have to figure where your top shelf level is gonna be. That’ll be limited by your ceiling height or by your forklift lifting height. And we have a large list of items in different sizes and capacities to pick from our quickship list. If you need help determining the size, please contact a sales associate and we can walk you through the process.

Next on the form are the beams. The beams are what create the shelf level. And you’re going to have two dimensions. The width, which will be 48 inches, 96 inches, 108 inches, or 144 inches. Those are the most common sizes. And within that, you’re going to have different capacities. As I said, a standard pallet is 48 inches deep or 40 inches wide by 48 inches deep. If it’s 40 inches wide, you could either use a four foot, eight foot, or 12 foot beam. If you’re using a 48 by 48 pallet, which is not uncommon, but it’s not considered standard, you’ll need a nine foot beam or 108 inches. And we do have different capacities in that as well. please refer to the form. If you want wire decking, you don’t have to figure out the wheel, just let us know you want decking on all shelf levels and we can determine what size you need for that. Then we go down the list to our cantilever. Cantilever is what you store large items such as lumber and pipe on. Cut that. Next is cantilever racking, ragging for large items such as lumber and pipe. We stock a 12 foot tall because that’s the most common around the central Texas area. If you need a taller size, please let us know, but we will need to order it from the factory so there is a longer lead time. The arms we stock are 48 inches, which is what 99% of the world needs for their product. So what we’ll do is have… capacity of 3,000 pounds per arm with 48 inch arms or bases. You can get this product in either single sided or double sided. The columns can be used for both. If you have any questions please reach our sales associates at 512-869-2803. The next item is double rivet bulk shawling. That’s for lighter hand stack items. that’s more sturdy than what you buy out of a box at Home Deep over Lowe’s. It’s industrial quality. We only sell this product with wire decking because that’s what meets fire code in large jurisdictions and municipalities. So wire decking will be your only option. Wire decking will be your only option. If you would like to use a wood surface… You would just need to provide your own wood surface for that, but we do have the front to back supports that will sell you extra to give it extra rigidity. That takes care of the majority of what you’ll need for your warehouse. If there’s any other specific items not listed on that form, or you want to see if we have that product in use, please let us know when you’re applying with the quickship form.

Since COVID- There just hasn’t been a lot of used material on the market. Everybody’s growing and not a lot of people going out of business. If they move, it’s about the only time we get to purchase used material and it’s limited. But the price between new and used right now is small because of the demand for used. You’re really almost paying the same price for used material as new. And again, we have it at our facility in Georgetown, Texas. Once we send you the quote, if it all looks good, you’ve confirmed it with your sales associate and you want to place your order, just let us know. What we’ll do is we’ll have accounting send you an invoice and you can pay that invoice, excuse me, you can pay the invoice online. There’s a review and pay link within the order and you can pay up to a hundred thousand dollar invoice through the bank transfer. We do have a small limit for credit cards, and we do charge 3% for the credit card processing fee. If you want that charge added, we can certainly do it added to your invoice and then turn on the credit card payment issue. If you would like the credit card cut, if you would like the credit card option to pay with, just let your sales associate know we’ll add the 3% charge to your order. and accounting will turn on the link to use a credit card. However, bank transfers are free through the form, as well as we can provide our wire or ACH instructions, if you would rather do it directly. Another option would be paying by check.

If you would like to pay by check, please scan the front and back of the check in color. and email it to our accounting department. They can electronically deposit that check to speed up the process versus waiting for it to be overnighted or mailed by the postal service. We do have delays like everybody else in getting mail, and oftentimes the checks are lost. To eliminate that problem, we do electronic deposits. Once you pay, our orders are sent to the warehouse where we pull and prep them. If you’re paying for delivery, once paid, you go on the next delivery slot and installation slot if you’ve selected installation as well. And then, or if you didn’t select either installation or delivery, we just put you on the pickup schedule and you’ll show up with a flatbed trailer or semi, whatever is appropriate for your pickup and we’ll schedule that about two to three days later. If you have any questions… My name is Tracy Jackson, or you can speak to any qualified sales associate here at Simply Rack and Warehouse Equipment at 512-869-2803. Thank you.

Form Follows Function

HOW YOUR BUSINESS DETERMINES YOUR RACKING NEEDS

In this episode, Tracy explains the concept of “form follows function” in regards to your pallet racking needs! Knowing how you’re using your pallet racking and what you’re storing on it is necessary for selling you the right material. Are you a warehouse? Looking for backroom space for your retail business? Your business will determine what sort of racking you will need, and how it will be set up. The more information you are able to provide in regards to your business and your storage needs, the more accurate your quote and order will be!

What You’ll Learn

  • The elements that make up your racking system, and how to reference them.
  • What aspects of your racking may be most important to your industry.
  • How your business can determine your racking needs.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION BELOW!

Transcript for the video/audio

Tracy Jackson: Hi! Welcome to Simply Rack and Warehouse Equipment’s informational videos, I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Tracy Jackson from Simply Rack. I’m an owner at Simply Rack and have been in this industry for over 30 years. I absolutely love my career, this racking is just a passion of mine, but there are some specifics that, if you’re ordering for the first time, you’re going to want to know.

Before we talk, to get you the right material you’ll hear me refer to form follows function a lot. I need to know how you’re using it, and what you’re storing on it, to properly sell you the right material. So just for the simple basics of getting started, for either a warehouse, a back room storage, or just your shop, of what we’re looking for to get you the proper material. If you’re storing pallets on the racking, there’s specific racking that you’ll need to buy, specific sizes with certain capacities. If you’re just hand stacking the product on there, have a lot of small pieces or a couple of large boxes, the average rule of thumb is no deeper than the average man’s, arm which is 36 inches.

Stepping back and looking at the parts that we’re talking about, on what you need. The green piece in this video is called an upright. An upright is what holds the racking in the air, and it consists of a front column and a back column combined with bracing material, and it’s anchored to the concrete floor with wedge anchors. The beams in this picture are orange, there’s a front beam and a back beam, and typically you have wire decking in the middle to help transfer the weight of the pallets to the beams or hold your hand stack materials. This also acts for fire code to separate each level in case there’s a fire, so you don’t have pallets falling from the top to the bottom and causing a larger fire. This fire suppression system can work a little better at that point.

We’ve got uprights green, beams orange and wire decking. Please don’t refer to color, because once in a while you’re going to have blue, purple, whatever color in the world there is in racking, so it’s an upright, a beam and wire deck.

These items are row spacers. Row spacers create the flue space for the back of the pallet when it’s stored to sit so it’s not overhanging in the front.

When we get into our next video sessions, we’re going to specifically talk about sizes and what sizes you need based on your product, but again, upright, beams, wire deck. You now know 90 percent of what we need to know when you need racking. Thank you!