Companies with small warehouses or storage docks often look for ways to increase the usefulness of the space that they have to work with. Ways exist to optimize the space and make the existing space more effective without having to build an entirely new building or rent space somewhere offsite.
One of the most important aspects of creating more usable space on your dock or in your warehouse is the optimization of the space you already have. While you could buy some racks and start putting them on the floor, take some time and work out the best way to organize the area that allows you the freedom of movement you need and adds storage for your palletized material.
Make a Plan
The first thing you need to do is make a detailed plan of your warehouse space and the way you want to layout the warehouse area. Some software solutions on the market will allow you to design your floor plan on the computer, or you could do it with paper, a pencil, and a tape measure.
No matter how you decide to go about it, start with a plan that allows you to see if the flow of traffic through the warehouse will work or not. You can revise the plan several times before you set up the warehouse, so don't be afraid to try it several ways on paper before you settle on the final plan.
Pallet racks are often the most effective way to use the space you have available. Using a rack allows you to store more items in the same space because you leverage the vertical space above the floor. Several kinds of racks may be beneficial in your space, so be sure to look at all the options before you decide which rack is best for your needs.
Standard Pallet Racks
Pallet racks are common, and they often hold 2 pallets back to back. The length and height of the rack are flexible, and if the racks are in rows with aisles on either side, forklift operators will be able to access the pallets on the racks from both sides.
Pallet Flow Racks
Pallet flow racks are a great way to deal with palletized materials with an expiration date. Flow racks are loaded from the backside of the rack, and the pallet moves down to the front position on the rack on rollers that are in the support bars of the rack. As long as the product is loaded from the back and retrieved from the front of the rack, the system makes it easy to rotate stock.
Drive Through Racks
Drive through pallet racks are a little different because the racks are open enough for a forklift to drive into the rack and position the pallet, then back out and add more pallets behind the first. Again, this is a good way to keep stock expirations in check, and the racks maximize the space on the floor and above it.
The best option is to work with a professional to install the pallet racks in your warehouse space. Getting the position of the rack right and securing them to the floor so the racks cannot shift is important.
At
Lone Star Pallet Rack, we can help you find the right racks and the right layout that works for your company and the space you have to work with. Our site engineer will survey the site and recommend a rack system for you. Gives us a call to set up a visit soon.
