Traditional pallet storage in fulfillment centers has been the norm for years. However, with the increasing demand for e-commerce, unconventional storage needs have emerged. With the rise of unique product shapes and sizes, traditional pallet storage has become impractical for many fulfillment centers.
This is where cantilever racks come into play. Cantilever racks are designed to hold long and bulky items, making them the perfect storage solution for unconventional products. These racks offer a flexible and customizable storage solution that can accommodate the ever-changing needs of the fulfillment industry.
By adopting cantilever racks, fulfillment centers can optimize their storage space, improve efficiency, and ultimately deliver a better customer experience. Keep reading for more details on the benefits of cantilever racks for storing unconventional items.
The Evolution of Fulfillment Center Storage Needs
As technology continues to advance, so do the products held within fulfillment centers. Gone are the days of uniform boxes and packaged goods. Today, fulfillment centers must accommodate varied shapes and sizes, unique packaging options, and even irregularly shaped items.
In order to meet these demands, fulfillment centers have turned to cantilever racking systems, which provide the necessary flexibility to store these unique products. These systems can be customized to provide greater vertical storage, which maximizes space in the warehouse while still allowing for easy access and retrieval.
Understanding Cantilever Racks
Industrial cantilever racking has been a popular storage solution for years due to the racks’ unique design. These racks are typically used for lengthy, cumbersome items, such as lumber or pipes, and are engineered for extended and flexible storage.
Their structural design is what sets them apart from traditional storage systems, as they consist of sturdy arms that are attached to vertical columns. These arms can be adjusted or removed to accommodate different items, making them a versatile choice for those in need of practical storage solutions.
Unconventional Storage Challenges
Traditional storage solutions are often designed to accommodate uniformly sized items, leaving little room for irregular-shaped objects. This is where unconventional storage challenges arise, with industrial storage racking being a prime example. Standard pallet storage systems are limited in their flexibility to store non-uniform items, leading to inefficiencies and wasted space.
Maximizing the capacity of an industrial warehouse requires a solution that can adapt to changing inventory needs, and that can accommodate a variety of item shapes and sizes.
Cantilever Racks for Irregular Shapes
When it comes to storing large and irregularly shaped items, the cantilever rack is the unsung hero of the storage world. With adjustable arms and an open-front structure, it’s perfectly designed to handle items that don’t fit neatly into boxes or on shelves. These racks are incredibly adaptable, fitting comfortably into spaces of all shapes and sizes.
The best part? They’re a breeze to assemble, so warehouses can be sure their items are stored safely and securely without wasting time fussing over the rack itself.
Enhancing Flexibility in Fulfillment Center Layouts
The efficiency of a fulfillment center is paramount to maintaining customer satisfaction, and the layout of the warehouse is a critical component of optimized operations. Cantilever racks have become a popular storage solution that enhances flexibility in warehouse layouts.
These racks enable companies to store exceptionally long and heavy items such as plastic sheeting, steel bars, and carpet rolls, which can be challenging to store on traditional pallet racks.
By implementing cantilever racks, fulfillment centers can save space, streamline picking processes, and increase productivity.
In fact, many companies have already successfully leveraged cantilever racks to add flexibility to their warehouse storage layouts, including automotive parts suppliers, HVAC distributors, and more.
Industry Examples
Industries that deal with irregularly shaped items often require careful planning and precision to successfully handle their products. The automotive industry, for example, regularly deals with oddly shaped car parts that range in size from small bolts to entire engine blocks.
Construction materials also tend to come in irregular shapes, with anything from lumber to pipes and concrete blocks requiring specialized handling. Furniture is another industry that regularly deals with non-standard shapes, with everything from sectionals to entertainment centers often requiring custom packaging solutions.
Despite these challenges, companies within these industries have managed to thrive by finding creative solutions like cantilever racking to efficiently handle their unique products.
Canadian Rack Technologies Inc. for Cantilever Racking Solutions
Cantilever racking is an indispensable part of a modern fulfillment center. Not only do they help store inventory in an orderly and efficient manner, but they can even help to minimize property damage due to their sturdy construction. Overall, by providing significant durable storage capability under often severe conditions, these structures are essential for the success of any warehouse or retail operation.
To ensure that you have complete and up-to-date solutions for your organization’s needs, get in touch with Canadian Rack Technologies Inc.—a leading provider of pallet racking in Mississauga, Toronto, and across the GTA.
Contact us today and see what cantilever racks can do for you!
About: Kevin Ausman
Kevin Ausman is the founder of Canadian Rack Technologies. He has over 30 years of experience in providing safe and efficient turn-key storage solutions and he specializes in pallet racking, pick systems, industrial shelving, mezzanines, cantilever racks, and more. Kevin is dedicated to providing great customer service, listening to client’s needs, and supplying the best products available.