Advantages and Disadvantages of Drive-in Racking Systems

What Are Driving Racks?

Drive-in racking is perfect when storing similar items such as roofing shingles. This racking system creates storage lanes that fork trucks drive into. The lanes are several levels high using heavy-duty rails to hold the pallets. The fork truck operator drives into the racks and places the pallet on heavy-duty rails.

Drive-in racks have excellent storage density, limited selectivity, and restricted ability to rotate stock.

How Does A Drive-In Pallet Racking System Work?

A Drive-In Racking System works the following way:

1. Pallets are placed on a static parallel structure consisting of rails instead of carts and wheels. One on top of the other.
2. These pallets remain stationary in a set of stand-by patterns until they are removed and relocated by the forklift.
3. The system allows you to store a greater number of pallets.
4. It permits you to scale up your operation, taking in more inventory, without having to lease or purchase more warehouse space.

What Are The Advantages of Using Drive-In Racking Systems?

1. Warehouse Space Optimization:

A drive-in racking system allows you to reconfigure your warehouse space — Cutting out the fat and making it leaner and more efficient. By moving to an optimized line and storage configuration clients have managed to grow their storage space by 80%.

Having a versatile and dense-oriented system with fewer aisles allows you to use less space.

1. High-Density Storage:

One of the main, and oftentimes most important benefits of a drive-in racking system, is the fact that it allows you to better your density storage. It maximizes your warehouse and adds value to it. This type of system has the potential to multiply the amount of usable square footage. A properly optimized system can withstand between 6-8 pallets deep.

1. Easy To Move, Change The Structure, & Upgrade As Needed:

With a few training sessions, your employees and warehouse personnel can become incredibly adaptable in managing this type of system. Its cross-beam patterns are easy to navigate. All your employees, particularly your forklift drivers, need some added training on loading procedures.

Another great advantage is that the system is easily upgradable — you can add more storage with just a few fixes.

1. Great For Storing A Large Number Of Homogenous Materials:

The versatility of a drive-in racking system has its limits — which doesn’t necessarily make it a con. Most of these systems are optimized for one type of product or material.

1. Low Maintenance and Low Assembly Costs:

A Drive-In Racking System is extremely affordable and easy to assemble. Not only that, but due to its high quality and durable materials, it is exceptionally practical when it comes to maintenance.

What Are Some Disadvantages of Using Drive-In Racking Systems?

Drive-in racking systems are mainly used in certain industries, and not all, because their configuration, to truly harness its potential, only allows for the storage of one type of product.

Another possible disadvantage is that managers will have to address their current inventory management criteria. Systems of this type, due to their stationary method, may cause problems with inventory and bookkeeping.

Finally, it’s important to note that forklift drivers will have to take a course or at least familiarize themselves with the new system to retrieve and place pallets without damaging the structure.

Drive-In Racking System And Your Warehouse

Finding a system that meets your needs can be challenging. Nonetheless, this unique type of racking system is a versatile solution that will optimize your distribution and storage capabilities.

To gain insight about advantages and disadvantages specific to your unique operations, feel free to contact us for consultation.