Warehouse storage solutions in Australia have four types: pallet racking, shelving systems, mezzanine flooring, and specialised systems. Business owners should understand these storage categories to determine which warehouse provider best fits their operations.
To help, we describe these storage solutions for warehouses and highlight the features that make them suitable for specific businesses.
1. Pallet Racking System
Pallet racking is a widely used warehouse storage solution for stacking palletised goods or items in large boxes. These vertical stacks aim to maximise floor space.
Pallet racks are often made from metal, wood, or plastic, making them suitable for holding heavy items with varying weight capacities.
Staff usually use a forklift to store and organise items in a pallet racking system or automate the process.
Some of the most common sub-categories of a warehouse racking solution include:
- Selective racking offers direct access to each pallet.
- Drive-in or drive-thru racking allows forklifts to enter and access the pallets.
- Pallet flow racking has a conveyor system with the rack for optimal FIFO systems.
- Push-back racking has a cart system on inclined rails for optimal LIFO systems.
When is pallet racking a good choice?
Pallet racking is an ideal warehouse storage solution for those requiring efficient, high-density storage. Examples are retail, manufacturing, food and beverage, and automotive businesses.
Also, consider pallet racking if your business needs the following:
- Minimal inventory damage. Pallet racking provides a more structured and safer storage, preventing waste and profit loss.
- High efficiency. Pallet racking allows easy access to inventory for faster order fulfilment.
- Scalability. Pallet racking is a scalable solution that can accommodate your future growth.
2. Shelving System
Shelving is another popular warehouse storage system for arranging items on shelves. Products stored in this system are often small and lightweight in varying dimensions.
It’s an excellent option for storing a wide range of products while allowing high accessibility to each shelf. One advantage of the shelving system is adaptability. It is easy to install and reconfigure to suit changing business needs.
Some of the most common sub-categories of the shelving system are:
- Static shelving has fixed shelves for storing light items that need regular access and replenishment.
- Mobile shelving has movable shelves mounted on rail systems to create accessible aisles and store items in less space.
- Multi-tier shelving adds or removes tiers to maximise vertical space and accommodate small to medium-sized goods.
- Cantilever shelving has no vertical partitions, allowing free storage and access to bulky, long items like pipes, lumber, and metals.
When is a shelving system a good choice?
Shelving solutions perfectly fit businesses that handle a diverse and frequently accessed inventory. Retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) are some good examples.
You should also choose shelving systems if your business values:
- Cost-efficacy. Shelving is a good initial solution for small businesses that plan to upgrade their storage systems later.
- Fast inventory access. Shelving offers direct access to stored items of various types and sizes.
- Adaptability. There are different types of shelving solutions to accommodate individual business requirements.
3. Mezzanine Flooring
Mezzanine systems add multiple flooring levels above the main floor. Its goal is to double or triple storage capacity without expanding the warehouse footprint. This system also makes the ground space less congested.
While effective, custom mezzanine floors can also be expensive. Still, it is a highly customisable storage system where you can add conveyor belts or lifts for easy transport and access.
When is mezzanine flooring a good choice?
Mezzanine floors are best for industries that require maximum space optimisation, like manufacturing businesses, distribution centres, and e-commerce.
Business owners also consider this warehouse storage solution when they need the following:
- More organised space. Mezzanine floors provide additional storage, keeping items or growing inventory orderly and accessible.
- Production or office areas. You can customise mezzanine floors to create consolidated spaces or defined warehouse sections, skipping the need for a separate building or facility.
4. Specialised System
Specialised systems are solutions for businesses with unique storage needs. These go beyond traditional pallet racking or shelving and involve the following features:
- Temperature and humidity control for storing sensitive goods like food and pharmaceuticals.
- Automated technology and machinery for more efficient storage and retrieval processes
- A combination of different racking systems to suit specific needs
When is a specialised system a good choice?
Specialised storage systems benefit several businesses, including manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, wholesale distribution, e-commerce, and 3PLs. This warehouse storage solution is specific and customised, ensuring optimised space utilisation, lower operational costs, and improved customer satisfaction.
A specialised system also benefits businesses that:
- experience rapid growth and large order volumes
- want to minimise manual labour, waste, and errors
- handle several repetitive tasks like picking, packing, and shipping
- need ways to shorten lead time and improve workflow efficiency
Choose the Right Warehouse Storage Solution for Your Business
Every industry or company has individual storage requirements, budgets, and goals. Understanding different warehouse storage systems can help you assess your business and pick the ideal solution.
We also recommend consulting storage experts or providers who understand your needs and can deliver custom warehousing services. Contact Effective Logistics at 03 8376 3300 and learn how our expert team can help improve your business operations.
