When designing a warehouse or storage facility, choosing the right system is critical for maximizing space, efficiency, and accessibility. Selective pallet rack and industrial shelving are two of the most commonly used storage solutions. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and are suited for specific applications. This article compares these two systems to help you determine which best fits your facility’s needs.
Design
Selective Pallet Racking
Consists of upright frames and horizontal beams designed to store palletized products. Adjustable and easy to arrange for multiple levels of storage, they provide direct access to goods of various sizes and weights. Compatible with forklifts, they support First In/First Out (FIFO) inventory management.
Industrial Shelving
Heavy duty shelving supported by vertical posts that are often used to store hand-loaded, individualized items. Available in riveted and bolted designs with multiple shelving options for customization. Requires manual retrieval of goods.
Primary Use
Selective Pallet Racking
Designed to store and retrieve bulk palletized goods and utilize vertical space. Ideal for warehouses that require high volume storage, have many SKUs, and where inventory turnover is high. Versatile and adaptable, these systems can be used in a variety of industries including warehouses and distribution centers.
Industrial Shelving
Best suited for smaller facilities such as stockrooms and retail storage. Practical solution for storing small, lightweight, and individualized items that require frequent manual access. These systems can also aid in reducing and organizing clutter in frequented areas.
Storage Capacity
Selective Pallet Racking
Constructed of high strength steel, these systems are ideal for maximizing storage capacity. Well-designed systems can exceed 40 ft. tall and support over 5,000 lbs. per beam level. They can be implemented in single or double rows to optimize access and storage capabilities and are highly expandable to adapt to growing storage needs.
Industrial Shelving
Uprights are often construction of industrial strength steel for sturdier support, while shelving may vary between steel, wood, and laminated material. Typical designs hold between 500-2,000 lbs. per shelf and are often under 10 ft. in height to accommodate the manual handling of products.
Warehouse Optimization
Selective Pallet Racking
Allows for 100% direct access to every pallet ensuring efficient retrieval and storage. Utilizes vertical space to allow greater inventory storage without increasing warehouse footprint. Since pallet rack systems are designed for forklift access, this also reduces the associated manual labor, making it safer and faster for workers. Overall, these systems are built for longevity and are adaptable to being expanded and reconfigured as storage needs change, making them a cost-effective and long-term investment.
Industrial Shelving
Multi-tiered shelving can be customizable to increase storage density and their smaller footprint allows for space-efficient configurations. These systems can also provide specialty storage for smaller items including wire shelving for air flow, bin storage, and sliding shelves. Overall, industrial shelving can improve floor space, increase accessibility, and improve organization.
When to Choose Selective Pallet Rack or Industrial Shelving
Selective Pallet Racking
- You store large, palletized inventory
- You use forklifts for material handling
- You want to maximize vertical storage
- You have high SKU variety
- You need quick, direct product access
Ideal For: Large warehouses, e-commerce fulfillment, bulk storage, manufacturing, and distribution centers
Industrial Shelving
- You store small, individualized items
- You hand-load/manually pick products
- Your facility has limited, narrow space
- You want to increase storage for small goods
Ideal For: Retail stockrooms, parts storage, and supply rooms.
Final Verdict: Which is Right for You?
For large and growing businesses, selective pallet racking is a superior investment. The scalability, efficiency, and higher space utilization these systems provide make them a better long-term and cost-effective solution when compared to industrial shelving. On the other hand, smaller businesses with more individualized products or businesses looking to organize small storage areas may benefit from industrial shelving.
We offer a vast selection of storage options to fit your application. Check them out!
At SJF, our Solution Specialists can help you navigate this decision and design a storage solution that best fits your facility’s needs. We provide full layout and design services to explore all options and ensure the highest use of space. If you have questions, want to receive more information, or would like a quote you can contact SJF’s Solution Specialists at support@sjf.com or by calling 320-485-4974.
