Look for materials handling experience and leadership

Companies with a wide range of expertise and inventory of pallet racks and other materials handling equipment can help you find what's right for your business.

I recommend: Some firms don't just supply pallet racks, but can handle everything from design and layout, to shipping and installation. One such suplier is SJF Material Handling, which lays claim to being the nation's largest source of both new and used material handling equipment -- including pallet racks and related equipment. SJF has been around for over 30 years and was named a Top 10 USA Distributor of new pallet racks in 2006 and 2008.  The SJF.com website offers a wide range of helpful info -- including over 1,000 pages of material handling guides and product details. Pallet racks listed on the site come from the firm's own inventory, as SJF does not broker others' equipment.

Pallet rack designs vary according to use

Although all are metal and heavy-duty, warehouse rack and pallet storage can vary according to how it is used. Pallet racking systems with a drive-in lane can be stacked very high and allow room to move around in a forklift, while cantilever pallet racks have arms that lean back to handle long or bulky items, like lumber or pipe. Pushback or flow warehouse rackng lets inventory slide down bit by bit.

I recommend: However it is used, pallet racking systems needs design thought in advance. Cisco-Eagle, a pallet rack vendor, has a good description of pallet rack types and designs [PDF link] as well as a pallet rack estimating Web tool. See more resources for buying pallet racks at Business.com.

Pick pallet rack systems according to your business type

Inventory and supplies flow through an industrial operation can vary dramatically. Some items might sit for months, while others have to be replenished hourly. Will people be moving around the pallet racks, or machines? Will customers be in the same area, or only trained employees?

I recommend: Most warehouse rack vendors also design pallet rack systems to accommodate most any need. Some pallet rack systems vendors include Material Storage Systems, American Warehouse Systems, Steel King Systems and Rack-Tex. You can find more information on pallet racking systems at Business.com.

Buy pallet rack shelving according to weight and size of your inventory

Very little would be more dangerous and costly than a collapsing pallet rack. Your insurance agent would shudder at the very thought.

I recommend: Properly installed and used, pallet racking systems can handle weight up to the equivalent of a couple of mid-sized cars if properly installed. Take a look at the range at vendors such as Yankee Supply and Global Industrial. Other types of warehouse racking, in addition to used pallet racking systems, are at Business.com.

On a budget? Used pallet racks can be a good choice

Warehouse rack is steel, after all. Used pallet racks are easy to find and buy on the Web. Depending on how customized your needs are, used pallet racks might just do the trick for pallet storage at a bargain rate.

I recommend: See a selection of used and new pallet racks at Midwest Rack Manufacturing, RackExpress, Dallas Racks, MHE and Gershel Brothers.