Drive In / Drive Trough Racking

Drive-in and drive-through racking systems are designed for high-density storage of homogeneous products. Here's a breakdown of both:

Drive-In Racking:

Storage Concept: This system allows forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure, stacking pallets one after another along the depth of the racks, without aisles between them.

Last-In, First-Out (LIFO): Typically, it operates on a Last-In, First-Out basis. The last pallet placed in the rack is the first one accessible for retrieval.

High-Density Storage: Drive-in racks maximize warehouse space by utilizing vertical and horizontal space efficiently. However, this configuration might limit access to individual pallets.

Suitable for Few SKUs: Best suited for storing large quantities of the same product since it lacks selectivity, and access is restricted to the front pallets.

Drive-Through Racking:

Similarities: Drive-through racks share similarities with drive-in racking, allowing forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure.

Key Difference: Drive-through racking has entry and exit points at both ends of the rack, enabling forklifts to pass through, allowing for a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory flow.

FIFO Inventory Control: This setup allows for better inventory rotation and is suitable for products with expiration dates or where the order of storage is critical.

Versatility: Offers more flexibility in terms of accessibility compared to drive-in racking as it permits access from both ends, enhancing selectivity and facilitating efficient stock rotation.

Both drive-in and drive-through racking systems are ideal for maximizing storage density but differ in their approach to inventory access and retrieval. They are beneficial for facilities that store large quantities of homogeneous goods with relatively low SKU diversity. Choosing between them often depends on inventory management needs and the nature of the stored products.