Selection guide
Density or selectivity: choosing a pallet storage system
Most storage disappointments trace back to one unexamined decision: whether the operation actually needed access to every pallet.
7 min read
Start with SKUs against pallets
A high pallet count across few SKUs suits density systems. Many SKUs at low pallet depth needs selectivity. The ratio, not the floor area, is the starting point for layout work.
Stock rotation rules exclude system types
Strict first-in-first-out requirements rule out several density formats outright. Batch control, date coding and traceability obligations should be confirmed before layout, not discovered during commissioning.
The truck fleet constrains the racking
Reach, aisle width, entry tolerance and lift height available from the existing or proposed fleet set the boundaries of the storage design. Designing racking first and buying trucks later usually costs more than doing both together.
The building has the final say
Clear height, floor slab capability and flatness, sprinkler arrangement and fire strategy all limit what can be installed. These are established with the building owner and the relevant designers before a layout is issued.