How to Design your Warehouse Racking Layout for Optimization?

Warehouse design contributes to the overall efficiency of storage and material handling unit. It helps in effective inventory management activities. Generally, the infrastructure of a warehouse system remains complex and therefore creating a design layout for the same is a difficult task. Owing to the complexity, the design of pallet rack system layout has to be meticulous and it requires consideration of several factors. To design an efficient warehouse layout you need to know different types of layouts, available space, pallet types, etc. If you are willing to design an efficient warehouse layout but do not know much about it, then this post is for you. This post discusses different tips for the perfect warehouse layout design.

How Do You Layout a Warehouse and Distribution Center?

When it comes to designing a layout for a warehouse and distribution center, the construction of a warehouse is not the only consideration. There are multiple factors one must consider to achieve the desired efficiency for material handling units. Let us discuss how to design a warehouse racks layout and its important considerations.

Designing a Warehouse Layout

You must consider the following factors to optimize the storage & distribution capacity of a warehouse and distribution center.

• Analyze the Storage Requirements: Analysis of storage requirements is the primary activity in the design of warehouse layout. It can include consideration of the following factors.
  • Type of products to be stored
  • The collective weight of products
  • Duration of storage

Considering these three factors during the analysis of the storage requirement helps in deciding the size of a warehouse unit, size of pallets, aisle width, etc.

• Strategize for Maximum Physical Storage: The motive of designing a warehouse layout is to achieve the maximum possible storage capacity. This storage capacity can be achieved using well-designed pallets and racks that allow efficient product storage with easy loading and unloading. The maximum storage capacity achieved should not result in crowding the products or damage.
• Select an Appropriate Type of Layout: There are multiple types of warehouse layouts. One of these layouts can be chosen according to the storage requirements, product circulation requirements, etc. To choose the correct type of layout, you must know what are the types of warehouse layouts for pallet racking? Let us discuss the same.
  • Selective Racks Layout: The selective racks layout is suitable for long-term storage and circulation. In this type of warehouse layout, a selective number of racks is dedicated to circulating products and the remaining are reserved for long-term storage. Circulating pallets are kept more accessible.
  • Drive-in or Drive-through Racks Layout: Drive-in racks or drive-through racks layout consist of mobile pallets or shuttle. In these systems, the shuttles or pallets are moved in and out of the racks for loading and unloading.
  • Push-back Racks Layout: Push-back racks layout is suitable for durable high-capacity storage. In this type of racks layouts, the shelves or pallets filled with products to store for a longer duration are pushed back. In the front, the shelves or pallets are assembled so that circulating products are accessible easily.

• Design for Mobility: Movable racks are a smart way of enhancing the efficiency of the warehouse layout. If you are planning to install mobile racks, you need to address available floor space, obstacles, and mechanization requirements. You can design the entire warehouse system for mobility or partial mobility for pallets and racks.
• Map the Routes for Mobility: If the design for mobility is adopted, the routes for the movement of racks and pallets must be designed strategically. This can include designing an obstacle-free route.
• Keep Flexibility for Expansion and Scalability: During designing the layout for the warehouse, there should be scope for expansion and scalability. In the future, there can be an increased need for storage, need for additional space, etc. Therefore, the scope for expansion is essential. Warehouse systems are integrated with automation, therefore, the scope for enhancing scalability is essential. For this, the system should be compatible with additional device integrations, software compatibility, inventory management systems, etc.
• Implement a Suitable Warehouse Management Methodology: The warehouse management methodologies like first-in-first-out (FIFO), last-in-first-out (LIFO), etc are crucial parts of inventory management. Adopt the methodology that suits best your material handling needs. Regardless of the type of methodology chosen the warehouse layout should support its operation.

As the above information offers you easy-to-follow tips for the perfect warehouse layout, that is not enough. While all your queries on how to design your warehouse racking layout for optimization are answered, you must realize the importance of investing in quality racks. Even if you may succeed in building a high density and high productive warehouse or a distribution center following these tips, it may not ensure the safety or security of people and premises. To ensure the same, you need to invest in high-quality and security-driven pallets and racks sourced from trusted manufacturers like SPS Ideal Solutions. The company offers industrial warehouse management and racking solutions.  Their Warehouse Storage System, custom rack design, etc are the services proven helpful to several industries.  

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