Description

Last-in, First Out LIFO Storage Maximizes Warehouse Utilization to Improve Throughput

Last-in, First Out LIFO Storage is a problem often solved with drive-in pallet rack, a high-density storage solution commonly found in many warehouses throughout the world. It affords operators an extremely economical solution for palletized storage while still furnishing some of the best stocking concentration in the industry. Drive in racking achieves this density rather simply. The racking structure is constructed of the very same uprights normally found in selective rack, along with rails that go from as few as 2 pallet positions deep all the way up to (typically no more than) 10. Drive in racking has the same vertical limitations as any other rack system, defined by seismic conditions and fork truck mast height. Drive in systems gain their rigidity from an “anchor bay” – which is essentially a selective bay of racking. This anchor bay resides at the rear of the racking structure. Whereas the front column connections to rails use arms that protrude horizontally into the bays, the two rear column positions sport structural beams on which the rails sit. This anchor bay allows for the front column locations to do without typical beams due to the rigidity of the structure itself. In deeper rack systems, horizontal (affixed to the top of the rack structure) and vertical (affixed to the rear of the rack structure) bracing provides a method for loading to travel to the anchor bay, which is essential in ensuring loading is adequately controlled. Pallets are loaded onto the horizontal rails and stored back-to-back for exceptionally dense storage. As palletized product at the pick face is removed, forklifts enter the racking structure, ‘driving-in’ until the desired product is accessible.

Keep Refrigeration Costs Down with Dense Storage

Drive in pallet racking is the preeminent choice when it comes to a last-in, first out LIFO storage system. This system is a smart choice when operators have small SKU counts with a large volume, or where selectivity is generally not prioritized. Large refrigerated coolers, cold storage warehouses and freezers also often feature drive in rack, because as the fuller a refrigerated space is, the cheaper it is to maintain temperature. Eliminating multiple access aisles also affords drive in a big advantage over traditional pallet racking systems where square footage (or the lack thereof) is a concern. Examples of the kinds of businesses choosing drive in pallet rack include the food and beverage industries, large-scale groceries and other businesses with temperature sensitive product. Producers with limited product variation, date segregated production or batch production also find a friend in drive in pallet racking.

Hannibal Industries is a leader in producing drive in pallet rack. They offer both roll form and structural steel construction, with structural being the popular choice due to its strength. Space saving arm design coupled with heavy-duty saddle connections compliment the sturdy and durable construction of Hannibal’s drive rack. While drive in rack is more inherently more prone to forklift collision damage simply due to the nature of the design, solutions are extant. Hannibal’s many safety accessories offer great mitigating solutions, with bolted column protectors, end row guards and more that can take the brunt of any possible damage and keeping your warehouse running at optimal capacity. High quality powder coat finishes compliment any warehouse while also helping to fight corrosion and keep things looking sharp.

Industry Experts Design and Build to Suit

With Conveyor & Storage Solutions as a longtime partner and now Master Dealer for Hannibal Industries, the perfect drive in racking design system is just a phone call or email away. With decades of experience designing and installing drive in racking systems, C&SS is a perfect choice for any size warehouse with high-density storage needs. It can seem a daunting task constructing taller or larger storage systems in warehouses and businesses located in high seismic areas like Southern California, as permits and structural calculations drive up costs and complication. With a trusted industry leader like C&SS in your corner however, these are simply building blocks on the road to the perfect drive in storage solution for your warehouse!