If you manage a warehouse in food and beverage industry, it’s clear to feel that storage needs are evolving rapidly. According to this report, the global food and beverage warehousing market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Therefore, having high-efficiency storage equipment is crucial for your commercial warehouse.
Why It Matters to You in the B2B Market
If you are involved in commercial food and beverage storage, how crucial it is to select storage equipment that balances durability with high turnover rates. Ignore the equipment layout maybe destory your inventory. What is the popular storage racking in food storage? Selective Pallet Racking and Drive-in&drive-thru Racking has always been the preferred choice for commercial cold storage warehouses. These systems can offer the balance in heavy load capacity, durability, and low-temperature resistance.
In distribution and storage centers, a right storage solutions that can support inventory turnover to ensure fresh products. Whether you are dealing with packaged food storage(canned food storage rack,bottle drink rack,etc), cold chain storage, or the refrigeration of food ingredients, pallet racking can help you maximize storage space and enhance picking efficiency. What is the key factors you should consider?
Challenges of Food and Beverage Storage
| Challenges | Factors |
| Perishable Nature of Products | Short Shelf Life: Many food and beverage items have a limited shelf life, requiring rapid turnover and careful temperature control. Spoilage and Waste: Improper storage can lead to spoilage and waste, resulting in significant financial losses. |
| Strict Regulatory Compliance | Health and Safety Standards: The food and beverage industry must adhere to stringent health and safety regulations to ensure product quality and consumer safety. Traceability Requirements: Accurate tracking of products throughout the supply chain is essential for compliance and consumer confidence. |
| Temperature Control | Refrigeration and Freezing: Many food and beverage items require specific temperature conditions for storage, such as refrigeration or freezing. Temperature Monitoring: Maintaining consistent temperatures is crucial to prevent spoilage and maintain product quality. |
| Hygiene and Sanitation | Contamination Prevention: Preventing contamination is a top priority in food and beverage storage. Cleaning and Sanitization: Regular cleaning and sanitization of storage areas and equipment are essential to maintain hygiene. |
| Space Constraints | Efficient Utilization: Maximizing storage space while maintaining product accessibility is a common challenge. Warehouse Layout: Careful planning of warehouse layouts can help optimize storage efficiency. |
| Product Variety | Different Sizes and Shapes: Food and beverage products come in various sizes and shapes, requiring flexible storage solutions. Bulk Storage vs. Individual Items: Balancing bulk storage with individual item storage can be challenging. |
| Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) | Risk Assessment: Implementing HACCP systems is essential for identifying and controlling potential hazards in food and beverage storage. Critical Control Points: Monitoring and managing critical control points (CCPs) is crucial for ensuring product safety. |
| Supply Chain Fluctuations | Demand Variations: Fluctuating demand can make it difficult to manage inventory levels and storage space. Seasonal Changes: Seasonal changes can impact product demand and storage requirements. |
Is Pallet Racking Okay for Low Temperature Storage?
Pallet racking systems can be effectively utilized for low-temperature storage, particularly in environments such as cold stores and freezing chambers. But not all pallet racking suit to frozen storage. Sometimes you will hear the cold storage racking destroy, why the accident happen? When choose the pallet racking for food and beverage,supply chain manager will devide the refrigerator area and the frozen area. The storage performence in different temperature decide in Racking material.
Some cold storage spaces can reach temperatures below zero, where roll-formed steel becomes brittle and more likely to be damaged. Structural steel pallet racking is a better choice in these conditions. Racking reaches a “ductile-brittle transition” at 0° Fahrenheit. It means that racking at or below this temperature is more sensitive to impact and could fail more easily.
Before you choose the food&beverage warehouse equipment, contact your warehouse storage racking manufacturer for right suggestion.
Criteria for Food and Beverage Racking System Design
Storage Density: Choose the right racking type (selective, drive-in, pushback, or pallet flow) to maximize storage capacity within the available footprint. Drive-in racks can accommodate up to 75% more pallets than selective racks in the same space
Throughput and Workflow: Consider the facility’s throughput requirements, selectivity needs, and workflow to select the most suitable racking solution. Pallet flow and pushback systems enable efficient first-in, first-out (FIFO) handling
Potential Expansion: Select a modular racking system that can easily accommodate changing or expanding storage needs in cold storage facilities
Structural Integrity: Use heavy-duty materials like hot-rolled steel for uprights and beams to withstand forklift abuse, slick surfaces, and cold temperatures in confined spaces. Horizontal and diagonal bracing, along with foot protectors, enhance durability
Safety: Prioritize safety for people working in the facilities by choosing structurally sound racks. Heavy-duty construction can increase load capacities and resistance to seismic forces
Automation and Technology Integration: Consider integrating semi-automated solutions like pallet shuttles to streamline storage processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance efficiency. These systems can be scaled or reconfigured to accommodate growth or changes in product lines.
How Drive-In Racking Systems Are Used in Food and Beverage Warehouses
Drive-in racking systems are increasingly utilized in food and beverage warehouses due to their ability to maximize storage efficiency and optimize space. These systems are particularly suited for environments where high-density storage is essential, such as coolers and freezers, where temperature control is critical.
Drive-in racking systems consist of a series of rails that allow forklifts to drive directly into the racking structure, facilitating the storage of pallets in a compact manner. They can be configured in two main types:
- Single Entry: Forklift access is available from one side, making it ideal for environments with limited space.
- Double Entry (Drive-Thru): Forklift access is available from both sides, allowing for easier retrieval of pallets and supporting a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) inventory management system.
Advantages in Food and Beverage Warehousing
- High-Density Storage: Drive-in racks can store pallets up to 6-8 deep, significantly increasing the amount of usable storage space. This is particularly beneficial for warehouses with a large inventory of similar products.
- Space Optimization: By reducing the number of aisles needed for forklift access, drive-in racking systems can increase storage capacity by up to 80%. This is crucial for food and beverage warehouses where maximizing space is often a priority due to high costs associated with floor area.
- Cost Efficiency: These systems are generally more affordable to install and maintain compared to other racking solutions. They require less assembly and are made from durable materials that withstand the rigors of warehouse operations.
- Temperature Control: Drive-in racking is especially effective in temperature-controlled environments, making it a popular choice for storing perishable goods. The design allows for efficient cooling and reduces energy costs associated with maintaining temperature.
- Versatility: The system is well-suited for storing homogeneous products, which is common in the food and beverage industry. It allows for quick reconfiguration and scaling as inventory needs change.
Disadvantages and Considerations
- Inventory Management: The Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) inventory system can complicate stock rotation, making it less suitable for products that require FIFO management.
- Accessibility Issues: Accessing pallets stored deeper in the system can be difficult, potentially leading to lost inventory if not managed properly.
- Forklift Traffic: Increased forklift activity in these systems can lead to higher rates of damage to the racks, necessitating regular inspections and maintenance to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Customization and Installation Considerations for B2B Clients
In Heda Shelves, we know that every warehouse is unique. To design and layout your business warehouse, Our expert team gain rich experience in 20+ years. Whether you’re designing a dry package food warehouse, an Cold room, or a compact rack-support warehouse, our Cold storage pallet racking system are crafted to provide the perfect balance of capacity, durability, and turnover.
