Food and Drink
Mobile racking is an effective storage solution in the food and beverage industry because it optimises storage space for ingredients and products and can also be effective in cold storage facilities where perishable goods are handled.
Mobile Pallet Racking
Advantages | Considerations
- Increased Storage Capacity
- High Flexibility
- Efficient Management
- Ideal for Cold Storage Applications
- Compatible With Any Type of Racking
- Perfect for New-build Warehouses
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What Are Mobile Pallet Racking Storage Systems?
Mobile pallet racking is a compact storage system utilised in warehouses and industrial facilities to maximise storage space. This is achieved by the use of mobile racks, also known as ‘carriages’, which can be moved along tracks using a motorised base, allowing you to open an aisle by pushing apart the racks only where access is required. Aisles tend to increase space requirements – therefore a mobile racking system can increase space savings by up to 40% by giving you the flexibility to move the aisle opening to wherever it is needed at any time.
The technical specifications of mobile pallet racking can vary depending on the manufacturer, the specific design, and the warehouse requirements. However, there are common features and specifications typically associated with these storage systems:
- Load Capacity: Each shelf or level within a mobile pallet racking system can safely support pallet weight ranges between 500-3000kg, or possibly higher. This capacity will depend upon the design and materials used in the racking system.
- Rack Dimensions: Your rack’s height, depth and width requirements will be dictated by the typical size of the pallets or items you wish to store and should accommodate these. Rack width and height can vary to fit different pallet sizes and ceiling heights if required.
- Aisle Width: The aisle width can be customised to your specific requirements, which will be based on the type of handling equipment and operational requirements specific to your warehouse.
- Power Supply: Mobile racking systems can either be electrically powered or manual using manual hand-crank mechanisms. To opt for an electrically powered racking system, you will need to ensure there is a reliable power source available.
- Rack Material: High-grade steel is typically used for its robustness and longevity. If your mobile racking storage system will be installed in a location where corrosion is a possibility, it may be worth considering adding a powder coating or other protective treatments.
- Mobility System: Mobile pallet racking systems typically move on tracks or rails installed on the warehouse floor. Depending on your warehouse’s features and dimensions, you may wish to consider which design would be most suited to your warehouse’s requirements, for example, certain models use guided rails, wheels, or chains.
These represent some of the technical elements to be taken into account when considering the installation of a mobile racking system. We will go over the technical specifications you will require in depth when designing your racking system, as your warehouse’s requirements will be unique.
A wide range of accessories are available to improve the usefulness, safety and efficiency of mobile pallet racking systems. The following are a few of the most commonly available:
- Wire Mesh Decks – These cover rack beams to provide a stable and secure surface for storing non-palletised items and to prevent them from falling through the racks.
- Pallet Support Bars – Support bars reinforce the beams, help better distribute the load and provide additional support for pallets in mobile racking systems.
- Floor Sensors – Floor sensors or mats can be installed in the access aisles to detect the presence of personnel or obstacles, automatically halting rack movement to prevent accidents or damage.
- Inventory Management Software – Some mobile racking systems can integrate with inventory management software systems to provide accurate tracking and location data to optimise order fulfilment management.
- Safety Gates, Guardrails and Bumpers – Aisle safety gates, guardrails and bumpers can be added to mobile racking systems to provide safety during rack movement and prevent racks from colliding.
- Safety Netting – Safety netting or backstops can be installed on rack shelves to prevent items from falling off racks.
- Remote Control Systems – This accessory enables operators to use advanced remote control systems to move racks and create access aisles remotely without needing to be present.
Other accessories include emergency stop buttons, label holders and barcode scanners, load capacity labels and aisle lighting to ensure the mobile pallet racking system is safe and anyone with access to it knows the weight capacities of the racks as well as the location of specific inventory.
Mobile Pallet Racking System Applications
Mobile racking systems are ideal for industries and applications where the need for efficient, high-volume and easy-to-access storage is essential to maximise capacity.
Mobile Pallet Racking System Benefits
Enhanced Warehouse Storage Efficiency
Mobile pallet racking systems optimise space utilisation in warehouses by reducing unnecessary aisle space, enabling you to choose where you wish to create an aisle among the racks, which glide along tracks installed on the ground with the help of an electronic or manually operated base. This easily guarantees swift and simple access to your products while maximising your warehouse’s physical footprint.
Perfect for High-Volume Storage
Mobile pallet racking systems are ideal for storing and accessing a high volume of goods while remaining space-efficient due to their ability to reduce the need for multiple aisles between racks. In addition to being completely customisable to your pallet sizes and requirements, this type of pallet racking instantly ensures a higher storage capacity using the space you already have all while allowing you to swiftly access your stock with ease by creating the aisle where needed.
Accelerates the Fulfilment Process
Due to its flexibility, increased product accessibility, and optimised space utilisation, mobile pallet racking has the potential to accelerate your fulfilment process and expand as you do. By eliminating the need for excess aisles, mobile racking streamlines the picking process by allowing you to move racks closer to the operator’s location, reducing travelling distances within the warehouse.
Improved Safety
Mobile racking systems typically come equipped with various safety features such as sensors and safety locks which hold racks in place when they are not in use. These reduce accidents caused by human error during the handling and transportation process.
High-Density Storage Solutions
Due to its modular design concept, mobile racking systems represent the ideal high-density storage solution because they can be configured to your facility’s layout, further maximising your storage space utilisation without restricting access.
Easily Customisable
Mobile racking systems work with most rack types, giving you the flexibility to create a bespoke product that best suits your warehouse requirements from the design stage through to installation.
Gallery
Have a look at some of our client applications where they’ve had one of our mobile racking systems installed.
Our Success Stories
Find below a snapshot of some of the work we have recently undertaken, if you would like to know more about them or perhaps you would like to visit the sites please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Mobile Pallet Racking FAQs
How much space can mobile pallet racking save compared to static racking?
Mobile pallet racking can significantly reduce the floor space required for pallet storage, with some installations achieving floor-space savings approaching 50% compared with conventional static pallet racking layouts.
Alternatively, mobile racking can substantially increase the number of pallets stored within an existing warehouse footprint.
The space saving is achieved by positioning pallet racking rows onto powered mobile bases running along floor-mounted rails.
With conventional static pallet racking, multiple permanent forklift aisles are required.
With mobile pallet racking, most of these permanent aisles are removed.
The racking moves sideways to open an access aisle only where it is required.
When the operator has finished storing or retrieving a pallet, another aisle can be opened.
This combines two major advantages:
High storage density because much less floor space is permanently dedicated to aisles.
High pallet accessibility because individual rack faces remain accessible when the relevant aisle is opened.
Actual warehouse space savings depend on:
- building footprint;
- pallet dimensions;
- number of rack runs;
- warehouse height;
- structural columns;
- fire escape requirements;
- forklift operating space;
- loading and dispatch areas.
For warehouses where property or temperature-controlled floor space has a high cost, mobile pallet racking systems can offer an excellent return on available warehouse space.
Is mobile pallet racking suitable for cold storage warehouses?
Yes. Mobile pallet racking is particularly well suited to cold stores, freezer warehouses and temperature-controlled storage facilities.
Cold storage space is expensive to construct and operate because businesses must continually refrigerate the entire building volume.
Increasing the number of pallets stored within the same refrigerated footprint can therefore improve both warehouse space utilisation and operating efficiency.
Mobile pallet racking removes most permanent forklift aisles while retaining access to individual pallet positions.
Potential benefits of mobile racking for cold storage include:
- increased pallet capacity;
- improved freezer space utilisation;
- reduced storage footprint;
- better use of refrigerated warehouse volume;
- individual pallet accessibility;
- suitability for a broad SKU range;
- reduced need for multiple permanent aisles.
Mobile pallet racking can therefore provide an attractive alternative to deep-storage systems where a business requires both high-density cold storage and good product selectivity.
The mobile bases, rails, controls, electrical components and safety systems must be designed specifically for the intended temperature and operating environment.
Don’t Just Take Our Word for It
Vadmin Anhimov
3 weeks ago
Quickline Ltd have delivered exceptional service in supplying and installing storage racking. From the initial contact, their team has been professional and…
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Mark Dunne
3 weeks ago
We have worked with Quickline for over 10 years, they are excellent at what they do. The price is competitive and they deliver what they promise.
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David Gutfreund
3 weeks ago
We’ve used Adam and his team on several projects. Most recently installing a 25,000 high bay racking system. Can’t fault them. Competitively priced and delivered on time.
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Ben Rawson
3 weeks ago
Adam and his team of experts have assisted in design and build for 3 of our Distribution Warehouses now. Each time providing an expert service in…
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