When to Use Cantilever Racking

Cantilever racking is an ideal storage solution for long, heavy, or irregularly shaped items. This type of racking maximizes available storage space in all three dimensions. It is designed to store large, bulky, and awkwardly shaped loads without any structural impediments on the picking face. While floor stacking is another option, it consumes significant floor space in your warehouse or outdoor storage area. Floor stacking also limits how high you can stack, leading to piles of materials that need to utilize the vertical space of your facility effectively. So, when is the right time to use cantilever racking?

Protection of Inventory

Storing items off the floor protects them from damage, weather exposure, and other environmental factors. Cantilever racking keeps products secure and organized, making it easier to count, inventory, and pick orders efficiently. Proper racking configuration, along with the use of suitable accessories, ensures that your inventory is safe and easily accessible.

Improved Material Handling

While pallets are not suitable for cantilever racking, products stored on these racks are often moved using forklifts and other material handling equipment. Lifting items from shelves instead of the floor makes the process quicker and easier for operators, enhancing both safety and productivity. A safer work environment and increased efficiency are top priorities for warehouse managers.

Ease of Use and Flexibility

Cantilever racking is easy to install and reconfigure. The absence of fixed shelves means you can quickly adjust the height and angle of the arms to accommodate various load sizes and shapes. This flexibility reduces handling time for long items and increases your warehouse staff’s productivity by making stock more accessible. Additional arms can be purchased to extend storage possibilities, accommodating different load dimensions and shapes.

Optimal Space Utilization

Instead of spreading materials, products, or goods across the floor, cantilever racking allows you to vertically stack long items like timber, trusses, pipes, or plywood. Proper design before installation is crucial. While adjusting the height and arms is straightforward, moving the beams and bases can be more challenging. Ensure you plan for wide operating aisles to accommodate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment.

Cantilever racking can be set up in various configurations, commonly as single-sided racking against a wall or double-sided racking back-to-back. The space between the uprights can be adjusted to fit into corners or other tight spaces in your warehouse, maximizing available space.

The Right Time for Cantilever Racking

The best time to implement cantilever racking is when you need to significantly increase your storage capacity while simplifying handling awkwardly sized materials. Cantilever racking offers a practical solution to enhance productivity, safety, and overall work environment as you aim to grow and develop your business.

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