Nine effective storage systems for different types of products - whether cantilever racks, shelf racks or pallet rack systems

🚛📊 Optimal storage strategies: Adaptation to product types and industries

Warehousing is a crucial part of any supply chain. It ensures that products are properly stored, easily accessible and efficiently managed. The choice of storage system depends largely on the products stored, their properties and the specific industry. Depending on the type of goods, the storage conditions and the speed of turnover, there are different systems that prove to be particularly effective. In this article we take a detailed look at the different storage systems and their suitability for different product types.

1. 🎯 Pallet racking systems

Pallet racking systems are among the most commonly used storage solutions and are particularly suitable for products that are transported and stored on pallets. These systems offer a high level of flexibility as they can be easily adjusted to the size and weight of the stored pallets.

Suitable for:

• Large, bulky goods
• Products stored in large quantities
• Goods with a high weight
• Items that are moved regularly

Pallet racking is ideal for companies that manage large inventories with high turnover rates. These systems also offer good use of space as the shelves are arranged vertically and make efficient use of the available storage space. There are different types of pallet racking including:

Flow racks

where pallets are stored from one side and removed from the other, ideal for high throughput products.

Heavy duty shelving

which are designed for very heavy pallets.

2. 📏 Cantilever racks

Cantilever racks are particularly suitable for storing long, bulky goods that cannot be stacked on pallets. These include, for example, pipes, wooden slats or metal rods. These shelves offer the ability to store goods horizontally without being restricted by shelves.

Suitable for:

• Long goods (e.g. pipes, rods, wooden slats)
• Light to medium loads
• Products that have different lengths and shapes

Cantilever racks are characterized by their open structure, which allows easy access to the stored products. This makes them ideal for companies that require quick removal of bulky goods.

3. 🔍 Shelves

Shelves are one of the most flexible and versatile storage systems and are particularly suitable for storing smaller products. They consist of several levels on which items can be stored and are adjustable in height. Shelves offer high storage capacity and are suitable for both manual and automated warehouses.

Suitable for:

• Small to medium sized items
• Products with a high variety and different sizes
• Storage units that are frequently rearranged or updated

Shelves are often used in warehouses that need to store a wide variety of products. Their adaptability allows them to be easily modified or expanded to meet changing storage needs. They are ideal for e-commerce warehouses where products need to be shipped frequently and quickly.

4. 🤖 Automated storage systems (AS/RS)

Automated storage systems, also known as “Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems” (AS/RS), offer a particularly efficient and precise method for storing and retrieving products. These systems use robots that can automatically store and retrieve products, minimizing human intervention. AS/RS systems are typically coupled with software that optimizes warehouse management and provides real-time data.

Suitable for:

• High volumes of small to medium sized items
• Industries that rely on precise inventory management (e.g. automotive, pharmaceuticals, electronics)
• Products with high turnover rates

Automated systems not only provide efficiency but also security by minimizing the risk of human error and ensuring compliance with strict warehouse requirements. They are particularly useful in industries where products must be stored under specific conditions such as temperature or humidity.

5. 🌁 High bay warehouse

High-bay warehouses make optimal use of the available height storage space. These systems are used in large warehouses and enable particularly dense storage of pallets or goods at great heights. High-bay warehouses are often combined with automated conveyor or storage and retrieval machines to optimize the flow of goods.

Suitable for:

• Low turnover products
• Large quantities of palletized goods
• Warehouse with limited floor space and high ceiling height

With the ability to store goods at great heights, high bay warehouses offer efficient use of space and are ideal for companies that centrally manage their inventory and require high storage capacity.

6. 🔁 Flow racks and push-back racks

Flow racks work according to the FIFO principle (First In, First Out), in which the items stored first are also removed first. This is particularly beneficial for perishable goods, where it is important that older products are sold first. The pallets are usually inserted into the rack from one side and slide on rails to the removal point.

Suitable for:

• Food and perishable goods
• Products with expiration dates
• Goods with high turnover and time-critical storage

Push-back shelves, on the other hand, work according to the LIFO principle (last in, first out), in which the last stored products are removed first. This is particularly advantageous for less perishable products or those that have a short shelf life.

7. 📦 Block storage

Block storage involves stacking products directly on the floor without shelves. This method is particularly simple and cost-effective because no special shelving systems are required. However, it is only suitable for certain product types because access to the products is restricted and a certain order must be adhered to when stacking them.

Suitable for:

• Homogeneous products stored in large quantities
• Non-perishable goods
• Items that have a low turnover rate

Block storage is often used in warehouses that have limited space or where goods are only stored for a short time. This method offers high space utilization efficiency, but requires precise planning to optimally design the flow of goods.

8. ❄️ Cold and frozen storage systems

Special cold storage or deep-freeze storage is required for temperature-sensitive products, such as food, medication or certain chemicals. These storage systems ensure that products are stored under constant temperature conditions to maintain their quality and shelf life.

Suitable for:

• Food (fresh and frozen)
• Pharmaceutical products
• Chemicals and raw materials that need to be stored under special conditions

Suitable for:

• Cold Chain Logistics Blog (Fresh Logistics/Cold Logistics)

These systems require not only specialized shelving, but also state-of-the-art control systems that ensure constant temperature monitoring and regulation. Strict safety and hygiene regulations must be adhered to.

9. 📚 Small parts storage (container shelves)

Special container shelves are suitable for storing smaller components or individual parts, such as those often found in the automotive, electronics or textile industries. These shelves are usually equipped with small containers or boxes in which small items can be stored neatly and clearly.

Suitable for:

• Small to medium sized products
• Components and accessories
• Industries with a high need for order and clarity

These systems are particularly useful in manufacturing operations where quick and easy removal of small parts is required. They are also used in e-commerce warehouses when it comes to storing and shipping small parts.

🏷️🔍 Choosing the right storage system

Choosing the right storage system depends on many factors, including the size and type of products, turnover rate, storage conditions and available space. Companies should think carefully about their specific needs in order to choose a storage system that is not only efficient, but also takes future growth opportunities into account.

📣 Similar topics

• 🏭 Effective storage solutions for your industry
• 📦 Optimization of storage systems on a product basis
• 🔄 Flexibility and efficiency in warehouse trading
• 🏗️ The right storage structure for every product
• ⏳ Storage techniques: increasing efficiency in the supply chain
• 🚀 Innovations in warehousing for maximum use of space
• ❄️ Specialized storage systems for temperature-sensitive products
• 📈 Strategies to improve warehouse logistics
• 🔍 Success factors when selecting storage systems
• 🛠️ Customize and optimize your storage solutions

#️⃣ Hashtags: #warehousing #warehouse systems #logistics #efficiency #productmanagement

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