As long as your warehouse has four walls, the usable space will always be limited. Since you’re paying for the entire area, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, it’s important to maximise that space. Selective pallet racking is common in warehouses because it helps make the most of vertical space while freeing up floor space. But with different racking systems available, how do you choose the right one for your facility? Krost Shelving and Racking’s expert storage racking solutions are a go-to for your warehouse needs in South Africa.
Pallet vs. Selective Storage Racking Systems
A good starting point when assessing racking systems is to analyse your inventory: consider the number of SKUs, turnover rates, and any seasonality in demand. It’s also important to review your warehouse’s space and flow, from dock intake to order fulfilment.
Two of the most widely used systems are selective pallet racking and selective storage racking, but each offers different advantages. To understand which is better suited to your needs, let’s compare these two systems.
What is Selective Pallet Racking?
Selective pallet racking is a popular choice because it is straightforward, cost-effective, and provides 100% accessibility to each pallet. The system is made up of vertical uprights and horizontal beams that create single-deep rows of pallet storage bays. This setup is ideal for facilities with many SKUs and lower volumes per SKU.
The key advantage of selective pallet racking is that it allows easy access to every stored pallet, meaning you can quickly retrieve any SKU. This makes it a great fit for warehouses that manage a variety of products and need a flexible storage solution. Selective pallet systems are also suitable for FIFO (first-in, first-out) inventory management, as every pallet is accessible from the aisle.
Key benefits of selective pallet racking:
- 100% access to every stored pallet.
- Ideal for warehouses with a large number of SKUs.
- Supports FIFO inventory management.
- Low cost of installation and maintenance.
What is Selective Storage racking?
While our selective storage racking systems share some similarities with selective pallet racking, they are often designed for higher-density storage. This system makes better use of vertical space and can reduce the need for multiple aisles. By placing racks back to back, you can consolidate space and store more inventory without expanding the warehouse footprint.
One key selective storage racking difference is its flexibility to handle both palletised and individual items. Lower levels of this system can be outfitted with wire decking, converting them into storage for loose items or smaller boxes. It is a versatile solution for businesses looking to maximise storage capacity while keeping accessibility.
Selective Storage Racking Advantages
Selective storage systems provide the benefit of direct access to each item, making them ideal for businesses that store a wide range of products. The loading and unloading process is faster and easier, as only the specific load is handled. This makes operations smoother compared to more complex storage systems.
Non-pallet racks are also highly adaptable to different sizes and weights of goods, helping to keep the warehouse organised. Their simpler design means lower installation costs, making them a more economical choice. If there is enough space, selective storage can improve warehouse profitability.
Though not as compact as systems like drive-in racking, selective storage can still be adjusted by narrowing aisles for specialised forklifts. Hybrid systems, such as double-deep or mobile pallet racking, offer more compaction while maintaining some level of selectivity. This makes selective storage prices more flexible and cost-effective for many warehouses.
Pallet vs. Selective Storage Racking Comparison
When comparing pallet vs. selective storage racking systems, the primary distinction lies in storage density and accessibility. Selective pallet systems are best for quick, easy access to pallets, particularly when you have a high SKU variety and need immediate access to each item. On the other hand, selective storage racking offers higher density storage by reducing aisle space and allowing more flexible configurations for both pallets and individual items.
In short:
- Selective pallet racking is best for high SKU variety, low volumes per SKU, and easy access to all items.
- Selective storage racking is better for maximising space, especially when handling mixed types of inventory or high-density needs.
Conclusion
Explore the different types of selective storage systems to choose the right racking system for your warehouse. But first understand your inventory needs, space availability, and operational flow. Selective pallet racking provides direct access to all stored items and is ideal for warehouses with a wide range of SKUs. In contrast, selective storage racking offers more storage density and the flexibility to handle both pallets and smaller items.
At Krost Shelving and Racking, we specialise in helping businesses choose the best racking solutions to maximise storage efficiency. Our team will work with you to customise the right system for your facility, whether you need high-density storage or greater SKU accessibility. Contact us today to learn more about how we can optimise your warehouse space.