For many warehouses, floor space is one of the biggest costs. When pallet volumes increase, moving to larger premises is not always the best answer. This is where drive in racking can be a great option.
Drive in racking is a high-density pallet storage system. Instead of using lots of access aisles, pallets are stored in deep lanes, with forklift trucks driving into the racking structure to load and remove goods. This allows businesses to store more pallets within the same floor area.
It is commonly used for large quantities of the same product, batch stored goods, seasonal stock and items with slower rotation. Food and drink suppliers, manufacturers, cold storage facilities and distribution centres often choose this type of racking because it helps them make better use of available space.
The main benefit is storage capacity. By reducing aisle space, it can lower the cost per pallet position and help warehouses avoid taking on extra premises. It can also improve organisation when stock is grouped by product line, batch or delivery schedule.
It is not suitable for every operation. It is best for warehouses that don’t need constant access to every single pallet. It usually works on a last in, first out basis, so stock rotation should be planned carefully.
Before installation, businesses should consider pallet size, forklift access, load weights, floor condition and safety requirements. A racking supplier can assess the site and design a system that fits the warehouse layout.
