With the effect of soaring energy costs in today's business environment, efficiency is a driving force to remain competitive in the contemporary global market place. The cost savings you can pass on to your customers will make you an attractive supplier and will also directly affect your company's survival. The right warehouse racking system can play a key role in your ability to do just that. Thoughtful planning put into the proper storage and retrieval of your warehouse inventory can lead to greater efficiency. Immediate inventory level reports, reduced retrieval times, and employee safety, can all lead to your ability in having an edge over your competition. Warehouse racking systems that allow for quick inventory stacking and retrieval are best to ensure the efficient moving of product inventory. There are several types of racking systems available. Which one is right for your inventory depends on your product and warehouse needs.

Selective Pallet Racking is best suited for one to five standard pallets / SKU of product that needs to be quickly maneuvered. Pallets are stored only one deep and can be retrieved from inventory easily, while restocking is simple and straightforward. In order to have easy access to pallets this method takes up more space in the warehouse than other types of racking systems. Storing more than five standard pallets / SKU means placing them two to five deep and requires other types of racking systems.

Pushback Racking is used for product inventory that has more than 5 pallets / SKU. Anywhere from 2 to 4 deep pushback racks can be utilized for this type of storage. Although retrieval times are greater, the benefit of pushback racking is the greater utilization of warehouse space. Pushback racking is good for the "last in, first out" inventory method and is not suggested for date sensitive products.

Flow Racking takes advantage of gravity by allowing the pallets / SKU to gently slide from one end of the system where they are placed, to the opposite end where they are retrieved. This is much like the way soda bottles are stocked and then retrieved from a convenience store cooler. Flow racking is ideal for the "first in, first out" method of inventory control. With flow racking systems, a greater volume of pallets / SKU can be stored, reducing the amount of warehouse square footage needed.

Drive-In Racking provides the best storage method for large volumes of inventory that are of the same product pallet / SKU. Open on both ends, drive-in racking systems allow forklifts to drive easily into the racking system to stock and retrieve inventory.

To ensure the ability of your business to remain competitive in the current energy dependent global market, the most efficient inventory control you can develop for your warehouse is critical. Racking systems can play a vital role in determining your warehouse efficiency and allow your organization stay ahead of rising costs and so beat the competition and survive.