Every functional warehouse needs a good racking system that is specifically designed to suit the needs of that particular business. Commercial racking is essential for storing goods safely and practically. It allows you to create order, maximise storage space and ensure your products reach clients in the most efficient way possible and good condition.

However, knowing which one is best for your warehouse can be difficult. There are so many types of racking systems available, and it’s important to make the right choice for your business.

Are you thinking about a single deep or double-deep system? Do you want a push-back or a drive-in system? Maybe you’re leaning towards gravity flow, cantilever, live storage or shuttle racking systems. Whichever one you choose, make sure it’s the right one for your warehouse.

To help guide you to the best decision for your warehouse racking system, we have 6 tips to consider when choosing:

1. Check your available space

One of the first things you need to determine when choosing a new racking system is how much space you available in your warehouse. This is especially important if you have a small warehouse, as you’ll need to make the most out of the floor space you have.

There are many warehouse racking systems available of all shapes and sizes, make sure you pick one that is designed specifically for your space and can help increase storage density to hold more products at one time.

2. The size of pallets will influence your choice

You’ll need to take the size of the pallets you’ll be storing into consideration. This information is key to choosing the most suitable racking system, as it needs to be able to comfortably store the largest of your pallets.

Be sure to check if your incoming pallets are in good condition, as this will also greatly affect your racking design.

3. Assess what handling equipment will be best

The products you’re storing will need to be reached somehow. You need to think about how the racking will be accessed. If you plan to use reach trucks, forklift trucks or any other type of lifting vehicle, you’ll need to make sure that it's compatible with your racking system – or else you might find yourself struggling to get to your products when needed, which in turn, will negatively affect productivity and efficiency.

4. New or used?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need to purchase brand new racking for your warehouse. If your budget is tight and you need to save some money, you can always buy a used racking system. This option is also great if you only need the racking system for a short period of time. Be sure to purchase the system from a reputable provider and perform all the necessary safety checks before implementing it in your warehouse.

However, if you have the money available, we would suggest buying a new racking system. A new system will be designed specifically for your warehouse and pallets, and it will be in perfect condition when it’s installed – providing some much-needed peace of mind.

Top tip: Remember, a racking system is an investment, not an expense. It plays a vital role in the functioning of your business, so it's always advised to purchase the best system available in your price range.

5. Keep safety in mind

Safety should be at the forefront of your mind when purchasing a racking system. Only buy from a reputable provider, make sure the racking arrives in perfect condition, and have it installed by experts who know exactly what they’re doing.

Go the extra mile and enquire about various safety features that can be added to your racking system for extra security, and have it inspected every 6 months to ensure it’s still in good condition.

It’s always better to be extra cautious as an unsafe racking system can cause injuries to employees and damage to products, which could result in a host of problems, including lawsuits, unhappy clients and hurt workers who are unable to perform their job.

6. Know your products

The final tip you need to keep in mind is the products you store. From the weight and size to the type of material they’re made of, the type of products you keep in your warehouse will heavily influence the kind of racking system you’ll need. For example, if you’re storing products made out of combustible materials, you’ll need to find a racking solution with the right class rating or that has fire suppression.

Top tip: Don’t only consider the products you currently store – keep any future stock in mind as well. This way, you can anticipate any changes and design your racking system accordingly, saving you time and money in the long term.

Get help from an expert

The easiest way to ensure you end up with a suitable racking system for your warehouse is to enlist the services of a professional in the industry who knows exactly what they’re doing.

But where do you find these experts? – right here!

Contractors.Direct offers a curated database of thoroughly vetted, quality fit out contractors who can bring your vision to life, on time and on budget. Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to connect you with the right people for the job.