When getting racking for your warehouse, there are many different types of pallet racking to choose from. Each one can offer unique benefits, whether that’s speeding up processes, increasing stock density or a particular structure for the type of product you hold.
One such option is Drive-in pallet racking which takes the concept of standard pallet racking but adjusts the layout to increase storage density. We explain all about this racking and the advantages it can bring your warehouse.
What is Drive In racking?
With standard Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR), rows are constructed with aisle space between each one to enable forklift trucks to pick pallets. With a drive-in racking system, the rows sit next to each other in a cubic shape. Instead of aisles, the rows within the racking block creates deep-running storage lanes with stock held in place on rails for precise placement of the pallets. This format allows a greater storage capacity when compared to the footprint of an APR structure.
To simplify inventory management, each lane is dedicated to a single SKU. Access to the stock is from the front of the structure with forklift trucks driving directly into the lane to load or unload the pallets.
How to use drive in racking
So, what advantages are there to a drive-in racking system and will it work for your warehouse?
Drive-in pallet racking systems are the ideal solution for storage facilities with bulk storage of similar goods and with substantial pallet counts per SKU. There are limitations on stock rotation, and it works best for warehouses which don’t require direct access to pallets. By removing the access aisles, drive-in racking systems enable you to create dense lanes of identical stock within a compact layout to increase storage capacity by up to 90%. You can also position drive-In racking against a wall to further increase floor space saving.
If you hold large quantities of similar stock but want to reduce costs, drive-in racking systems could provide the perfect solution. Due to the reduced size of the unit, it is a low-investment option which enables you to maximise both the floor and height of your warehouse while reducing the amount of square footage your need for your warehouse.
You can easily tailor the racking to suit your storage space and type of stock you hold, making it incredibly versatile for current and future storage requirements. With the racking working in harmony with standard forklift trucks, you also avoid having to purchase new handling equipment.
Drive-in pallet racking is a great choice where energy efficiency is a priority such as temperature-controlled environments. The smaller size of the structure reduces the amount of surface area which needs cooling.
Locating similar stock profiles within a smaller footprint can streamline your processes by making stock easier to locate. Forklift trucks can also drive directly into the storage lanes which reduces the amount of time spent loading and unloading the stock.
Drive In Racking vs Drive Through Racking
You may have seen references to both Drive-In pallet racking and Drive-Through racking, but not understood how they differ.
Both structures look very similar but there are key differences between the two structures. Drive-In racking operates on a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) system where stock rotation isn’t a priority. Stock loaded onto the racking rails first are the last pallets to be picked from the lane.
Drive-Through pallet racking does offer the same high-density storage capacity but there are differences in how it operates. With Drive-through racking systems, access points are located at both the front and the back of the structure to enable the forklift truck to load stock from the front and unload from the back on a First In First Out (FIFO) basis. This does slightly decrease the storage density of the structure, but it does allow for greater flexibility and control of stock rotation.
If you think that Drive In Racking may be a suitable option to optimise your warehouse, why not get in touch with one of our experts to find out more?
