Use pallet racking when
- Goods are palletised
- Forklifts or reach trucks handle stock
- Vertical pallet positions matter
- Loads and beam levels require engineered confirmation
Use warehouse shelving when
- Staff pick by hand
- Goods are cartons, bins, tools or parts
- Reach height and shelf depth matter more than forklift aisles
- The area is a storeroom, workshop or pick face
Mixed layouts
A practical mixed layout keeps reserve pallets in selective or VNA racking and places small items on longspan, boltless or parts-bin shelving near packing or maintenance zones.
Common mistakes
- Putting hand-pick parts too high in pallet racks
- Using light shelving for palletised loads
- Ignoring aisle differences between people and forklifts
