Warehouse Racking Systems & Storage Solutions
When considering which warehouse racking systems are right for your operation, you must consider a variety of rack system characteristics including selectivity, density, and flow.
REB Storage Systems International offers warehouse racking systems tailored to your SKU profiles, available storage space, and product picking requirements.
In this article, you'll learn how each type of warehouse racking system works, advantages of implementing the right type of system, and how to identify which type of system is right for you.
How to Choose the Warehouse Racking System That Best Suits Your Operation
To maximize product flow, the type, density and selectivity of your warehouse racking systems should align with your inventory and picking practices. In order to maximize the benefits of your warehouse, you must choose the right warehouse racking type & understand the characteristics of all products that are being stored.
First-in, first-out, or FIFO, product flow allows inventory placed into a rack system first to be removed first. FIFO rack systems are ideal for customers requiring rapid stock rotation or high product circulation. First-in, first-out systems include selective, drive-through, carton flow and pallet flow rack.
Last-in, first-out, or LIFO, product flow allows inventory placed into a rack system last to be removed first. LIFO rack systems are ideal for customers storing products with long shelf life or in large quantities. Last-in, first-out systems include double deep selective, drive-in, and push back rack.
Types of Warehouse Racking Systems Offered
REB offers a wide range of warehouse racking systems, including selective, cantilever, catwalk, drive-in/-thru, push back, carton flow, and pallet flow. Read below for a brief overview on each type. For more details on each type, click on the product in our menu system or via the links in this section.
Selective Rack
Selective rack is the most common type of warehouse racking system. It enables direct access to all stored pallets or cartons without the need to move others. This makes it a highly selective solution. REB project designers can assess your operation to provide you with your best layout.
Cantilever Rack
Cantilever rack is designed to easily store and retrieve products with varying weights, lengths, and sizes. Cantilever systems do not require uprights, allowing for easy product accessibility and selectivity paired with high down-aisle density. With a variety of arm options, cantilever systems can provide a full range of loading capabilities that can be customized to your storage application.
Catwalk Rack
Multi-level systems utilize pallet rack to offer high capacity and allows for an unlimited number of personnel to be involved in the picking process at all levels. Ideal for use as s multi-level pick module.
Drive-In/-Thru Rack
Drive-in racking and drive-through racking eliminates the need for down-aisle picking aisles. Both drive-in racking and drive-through racking offer a variety of benefits to warehouse efficiency.
Push Back Rack
Push back rack is a high density, high selectivity rack system. It has a number of options to suit special applications and can be a beneficial storage solution for many types of products. REB material handling specialists can assess your space and products to help you understand if push back rack is your ideal storage solution, and ultimately provide you with your ideal material handling solution and layout.
Carton Flow Rack
Carton flow rack systems are ideal for operations with continuous inventory rotation. Carton flow racking is a gravity supported system which offers high density storage. A REB material handling specialist can assess your operation and let you know which options are best for you.
Pallet Flow Rack
If you are interested in purchasing pallet flow racking for your operation, there a number of aspects to consider. Continue reading to learn about when and why pallet flow racks should be incorporated into an operation. A REB material handling specialist can assess your operation and let you know which options are best for you.
Advantages of Warehouse Racking Systems
Each of the warehouse racking systems will come with their own benefits. Advantages seen will also depend on how your warehouse is currently operating.
In general, here are some advantages commonly achieved when warehouse racking is introduced:
- Increased pick accuracy
- Increased warehouse productivity
- Increased storage capacity
- Easier tracking of stock
Which Type of Warehouse Racking System is Right for you?
As described in the previous section, implementing warehouse racking systems in your facility will inevitably provide you with advantages. The key is identifying which type of racking is the best fit for your operation to ensure you see the maximum benefits.
The best way to figure out which type of racking system is the best fit for your operation is by consulting a material handling systems integrator, such as REB Storage Systems (here's how you can contact us). They will be able to assess your space, products, and growth projections, among other things, in order to present you with options.
However, to get you started, there are general operational features that make each type of automation solution a good fit.
Below is a general list of each. Also, view the video below for further explanation of each bullet point below.
Selective Rack
- Products that require high accessibility.
- Products with a high turnover rate.
- Reserve storage.
Cantilever Rack
- Products that typically cannot be stored on pallets.
- Long, bulky items such as furniture, lumber, and plumbing.
Catwalk Rack
- Multi-level pick modules.
Drive-In/-Thru Rack
- Homogeneous products, products with long life spans, and products that require large, one-time moves.
- Cooler or freezer storage.
- Perishable items that are rotated quickly.
Push Back Rack
- Store multiple pallets of the same SKU.
- Cooler or freezer storage.
- High quality pallets.
Carton Flow Rack
- Case-pick and piece-pick applications.
- Date sensitive products.
- Cooler or freezer storage.
Pallet Flow Rack
- Date-sensitive products.
- Cooler or freezer storage.
- High quality pallets.
Your Next Step for Warehouse Racking Systems
REB is highly knowledgeable and experienced in designing, project managing, and installing warehouse racking systems. As a systems integrator, we’ll work with you to provide a turnkey system. From design, products procurement, subcontractor management, install, and permitting support, REB handles it all for you.
REB has a talented team of in-house project managers and project designers, all highly experienced in the material handling industry. We’ll work with you to make sure that your system is the best fit for your operation, installed and completed on-time and within budget.
We’d appreciate the opportunity to help you further, whether that be more information or a quote. Fill in the contact form on this page or call us at (800) 252-5955 to get in touch with a REB representative.