If you've ever been inside a warehouse-style store like The Home Depot, you've seen pallet racks. Heavy-duty, industrial strength shelving, pallet racks come in sections and can be put together to create pallet rack shelving for a small garage or entire warehouse racking systems.
Buying pallet racks is matter of reviewing the different construction styles to match and then deciding whether to buy new or used pallet racks. In this guide, we cover:
1. Different designs for pallet racks
2. Pallet racking choices by business type
3. Sizing a warehouse rack for weight loads
4. How to find used pallet racking
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
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.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- It can seem easy to install pallet racks. It is not, and the safety of your employees, as well as your inventory, is at stake. Hire a professional or get the vendor to send an installer.
- If you stack pallet racks high enough, you'll need special ladders and other equipment to get to inventory. Plan carefully to make sure there's enough room for everything you'll need to work with your pallet racks.
- Used pallet racking can require additional labor to install. If your budget is depending on lower prices for used pallet racks, make sure installation overruns aren't a budget-buster.
The official source of Buying New and Used Pallet Racks is
the Pallet Racks page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Pallet RacksOffers industrial supplies including pallet racks and accessories. Carries Interlake, Wireway/Husky, Meco, Penco, and USP pallet rack brands.
www.globalindustrial.com
Pallet Racks - Free Price QuotesCompare Prices and Save. Visit Now for Free Price Quotes!
Pallet_Racks.BuyerZone.com
Pallet RacksBuy direct from manufacturer for your pallet rack and steel shelving needs. Both new and used available.
www.mwrackmfg.com
Selective Pallet RackingOffers industrial racking and storage solutions. Includes pallet rack and shelving for warehouses to keep a wide variety of articles.
us.mecalux.com
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