The right warehouse storage equipment is essential to keep your warehouse organized, help you properly manage inventory, and keep materials moving in and out efficiently. An effective storage solution can help businesses maximize space, improve accessibility, and enhance overall productivity. Whether your client’s facility requires pallet rack solutions, cantilever rack systems, or additional rack accessories, selecting the right configuration is critical.
NAWL provides comprehensive storage solutions for warehouses, offering a wide range of racking systems, decking options, and accessories designed to meet the demands of a wide variety of industries. From heavy-duty cantilever racks to durable wire mesh decking, the materials handling experts at NAWL help distributors and installers find the most effective storage configurations for their clients.
Identifying Your Warehouse Storage Needs
In order to select the right storage system, think about your warehouse’s layout, your inventory, and how your warehouse operates.
Space availability – Consider your warehouse’s dimensions and ceiling height. You will want to select racking systems that maximize every inch of available space.
Inventory characteristics – The size and weight of your products will affect the type of storage you select as well as your turnover rate.
Accessibility and retrieval speed – High-turnover items should be stored in easily accessible locations. Slower moving items can be stored in harder to reach areas.
Safety and compliance – Be sure your storage design meets industry safety standards to prevent accidents and equipment damage.
With these considerations in mind, warehouses can determine the best storage configurations to enhance efficiency, organization and workflow.
The Versatility of Pallet Racks in Warehouse Storage
Pallet rack solutions are among the most widely used storage solutions due to their adaptability, strength, and space efficiency. These systems allow businesses to store palletized goods in a structured layout, maximizing workflow and accessibility. Let’s look at a few systems:
Roll-formed pallet rack – A lightweight, cost-effective option that provides flexibility for warehouses with changing storage needs. This system allows for easy beam adjustment to accommodate different product sizes.
Heavy-duty pallet racks – Designed for high-capacity loads, these racks support bulk storage and industrial items requiring maximum strength and durability.
Drive-in and drive-through racks – Best suited for high-density storage, these configurations allow forklifts to access pallets from one or both ends seamlessly.
Push-back & pallet flow racks – These dynamic storage systems optimize space by using gravity-fed lanes to improve pallet rotation and streamline order fulfillment.
NAWL offers custom pallet rack solutions tailored to specific warehouse layouts and storage demands, ensuring that facilities maximize efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
Leveraging Cantilever Racks for Unconventional Storage
For warehouses storing long, bulky, or irregularly shaped materials – cantilever rack systems provide a practical solution. Unlike pallet racks, which rely on vertical uprights and beams, cantilever racks use horizontal, extending arms that allow for easy storage and retrieval of items like lumber, pipes, and steel bars. Here are a couple notable benefits:
Open-front design – Eliminates obstructions, enabling quick access to oversized materials.
Adjustable arms – Accommodates different product lengths and weights for greater flexibility.
Efficient space utilization – Reduces clutter by organizing heavy or lengthy materials in an easy-to-access, structured format.
Strengthening Storage with Wire Mesh Decking
Wire mesh decking for pallet racks enhances warehouse safety, stability, and efficiency by providing a reinforced surface for storage items. Here are the benefits of using wire mesh decking with your pallet racking system:
Increased load support – Wire mesh decking prevents loose items from falling through the racking system and distributes weight evenly across the surface.
Improved fire safety – Many fire codes require pallet rack decking to be at least 50% open, so wire mesh checks this box. Unlike wood or particle board, wire mesh decking is not combustible so it helps contain fires rather than fueling them. Its open design allows heat and smoke to rise, activating sprinklers more quickly and allows water to reach the fire more easily.
Enhanced visibility – Provides a clear view of stored products, reducing misplaced inventory.
Pallet Rack Accessories: Maximizing Safety and Space
To enhance warehouse storage solutions, facilities can incorporate pallet rack accessories that improve organization, safety, and efficiency. These add-ons help protect racking structures and optimize storage capacity. Here are a few notable examples:
Row spacers – Maintain uniform spacing between back-to-back racks for structural stability.
Column protectors – Shield uprights from forklift impact, reducing the risk of damage.
Wire dividers – Separate products within racks, improving organization and access.
Pallet stops – Prevent pallets from being pushed too far, securing safe placement at all times.
End-of-aisle guards – Reinforce rack stability in high-traffic areas with reinforced protection.
Pallet rack accessories help keep your warehouse operating smoothly and safely. NAWL provides a wide range of accessories designed to enhance safety and optimize storage space.
Customizing Storage Solutions for Unique Warehouse Needs
Every warehouse has unique storage requirements based on its industry, inventory, and processes. Custom pallet rack solutions allow businesses to customize their racking to suit their current needs and to allow for future growth. Here are a few things to consider before designing your warehouse storage space:
Assess load capacity requirements – Be sure the racking systems you choose can handle expected weight loads to prevent structural failures.
Optimize aisle spacing – Balance space efficiency with ease of access.
Integrate safety features – Implement protective accessories to keep workers safe and extend the life of your pallet racks.
Consider expansion needs – Selecting modular racking systems that are easy to expand when your needs grow.
NAWL collaborates with distributors to design custom warehouse storage solutions that fit your clients’ current needs and can expand with them as they grow.
NAWL’s Expertise in Equipping Warehouses for Success
With a deep understanding of warehouse storage systems, NAWL provides comprehensive solutions that enhance organization, safety, and efficiency. NAWL’s team works closely with resellers to develop custom pallet rack solutions, ensuring that end users receive optimized storage configurations tailored to their needs and the needs of their business.
By offering high-quality pallet rack solutions, NAWL helps businesses improve material handling operations and maximize available storage space within their warehouses and beyond.
FAQ about Choosing the Right Warehouse Storage Solution
What is the difference between a pallet rack and cantilever rack?
Pallet racks are designed for storing palletized goods and use vertical uprights and horizontal beams. Cantilever racks, on the other hand, are ideal for long and bulky materials, featuring extended arms for open-front storage.
What accessories are available for pallet racks?
Common pallet rack accessories include wire mesh decking, column protectors, row spacers, pallet stops, and end-of-aisle guards. These accessories improve safety, organization, and storage efficiency.
How do I know if a cantilever rack is right for my warehouse?
Cantilever racks are suitable for storing long, heavy, or irregularly shaped materials such as lumber, pipes, steel bars, or even vehicles. If your warehouse requires open-access storage for oversized items, a cantilever system is an ideal solution.
Optimize Your Warehouse with NAWL’s Storage Solutions
Selecting the right storage solutions for warehouses is essential for improving efficiency, maximizing space, and maintaining organization. No matter the requirements, NAWL is here to provide high-quality products designed to enhance your operations.
For expert guidance on warehouse storage systems, contact NAWL today.
