The Evolution of Pallet Racking: From Traditional to Modern Systems

When it comes to space and cost-efficient storage solutions in Australia – pallet racking installation is one of the most popular choices for business owners across the country. Pallet racking shelves allow you to make the most of each square foot in your storage space while displaying your inventory securely and visibly.

One of the most helpful factors of these storage systems is that you can customise them to any space. This is because these warehouse systems have constantly been evolving and changing according to warehouse needs.

From basic wooden frames to modern, automated warehouse racking systems, pallet racking has come a long way since it was first used in storage spaces and businesses. The history of pallet racking is one of constant innovations and enhancements.

In getting a good understanding of the development of the pallet rack system, you will be able to quickly spot the features and innovations which are the best fit for your company.

In the blog post below, we will look at the history of pallet racking shelves and the different options which have evolved for business owners throughout the decades.

The Early Days of Pallet Racking

The Origin of Pallet Racking

Pallet racking first became a viable option in storage spaces after the advent of forklift technology in the 1920s and ’30s. (Before then, warehouse staff would have to rely on manually loading and unloading heavy which involved time-consuming effort and possible injury.)

These basic versions of modern warehouse machinery allowed warehouse staff to begin packing inventory vertically to make the most of every inch of space and cut down on storage costs.

During the 1940s, the term “pallet rack” was in regular use, as this long span shelving proved to be incredibly useful in moving and storing goods and products.

To support this new capability, wooden pallet racking shelves and beams were installed to support the stacking of weights and organisation of goods.

However, these early pallet racking systems had their limitations. A limitation of two or three levels and lower load capacity meant that inventory storage still had room for improvement.

Thankfully, business owners wouldn’t have to wait too long for pallet racking installations to improve and innovate. Let’s take a look at how pallet racking systems moved on to allow more flexibility and support for heavy loads.

The Rise of Selective Racking

The Introduction of Selective Pallet Racking

Today, selective pallet racking is still the most popular choice for warehouse storage Australia wide and was an important development in improving vertical storage capacity.

Moving away from the limitations of basic wooden pallet racking systems, selective pallet racking allowed for increased levels of storage, stronger weight capacity, and the ability to easily choose the inventory you need.

These selective storage shelves allow staff to easily spot the inventory they need and access it without having to move any other pallets in the process.

This helped to speed up heavy duty warehouse operations, made it easier to remove and install pallets, and made mezzanine floors even more space efficient.

But that isn’t where pallet racking innovations stopped. Further improvements followed with the emergence of Drive-In and Drive Through Racking.

The Introduction of Drive-In and Drive-Through Racking

As the need for high-density warehouses and storage spaces developed, drive-in and through racking as developed to allow more space efficiency and quicker retrieval of goods.

Drive-in pallet rack systems increase the available space and height in your stacking shelves by reducing the space needed for your forklift operations. With fewer aisles required, that means more space for your goods and inventory.

The pallets are placed so that they can slide backward on the shelves, allowing for deeper storage and easier inventory organisation. When retrieving pallets, the forklift will only need to enter through one side of the rack to retrieve the stored inventory.

Both drive-in and drive-through pallet racking systems have been designed to enable easy retrieval of products without having to sacrifice space and time efficiency.

After this important development, pallet racking shelves were improved, optimised, and automated.

The Advent of Automated and Optimised Racking Systems

The Introduction of Automated and Optimised Racking Systems

Inventory management and retrieval have been enhanced by the more recent developments in pallet racking. Namely by including speedy and automated retrieval systems to allow you to get to the stock you need as quickly and safely as possible.

With real-time inventory management and tracking capabilities, these pallet racking installations allow you to keep on top of current levels and ensure you are never caught short on an order.

High-speed shuttles and conveyors also limit the time it takes for your staff to access the pallet they require and to load new stacks onto the shelving system.

As technology improves, more and more innovative technology is being integrated into pallet racking installations. Improving the time and space efficiency as well as the cost-effectiveness of the system is also made easier due to the easy-to-customise nature of the shelving.

Conclusion

Pallet racking systems have come a long way from the basic wooden structures available at the beginning of the 20th century, Nowadays, modern automated pallet rack installations offer business owners the highest standard of quality storage solutions and innovative inventory management.

With a thorough understanding of how the pallet rack system has evolved, you should now have a clear idea about which type of storage system seems the best fit for your business.

From selective pallet racking and drive-in systems to high-tech automated storage solutions, there is a wide variety of different options to choose from. The best solution will be the one that serves your space and inventory operations.

For more information or assistance in choosing a pallet racking installation for your business in Melbourne, contact Multiple Storage Solutions today. Our experts are available to talk you through all of your options and ensure that your installations are safe, secure, and compliant with Australian standards.