There are a host of challenges and solutions when using storage racks in the food & beverage industry:
Challenge 1: Food Safety
Food and beverage products must be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. This means that the food and beverage storage racks must be clean and sanitary, and they must be designed to prevent pests and rodents from accessing the food.
Solution 1: Use food-grade storage racks.
Food-grade storage rack systems are designed to meet the specific needs of the food and beverage industry They are made from materials that are food-safe, and they are designed to prevent contamination.
Challenge 2: Organization
Food and beverage products can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it is important to use storage racks that are designed to accommodate the different types of products. This will help to keep the products organized and easy to find.
Solution 2: Use a variety of storage racks.
There are a variety of different types of storage racks available, so it is important to choose the right type of rack for the needs of the food and beverage company. For example, if the company is storing heavy products, it will need to use a rack that is designed to support the weight of the products.
Challenge 3: Efficiency
Storage racks can help to improve the efficiency of the food and beverage supply chain. By storing products in a way that makes it easy to access and transport, storage racks can help to reduce the amount of time and labor that is required to move products through the supply chain.
Solution 3: Use a racking management system.
A racking management system can help to keep track of the food and beverage products that are stored in the racks. This can help to ensure that the products are stored in the correct location and that they are not expired.
Challenge 4: Cost
Storage racks can be expensive, so it is important to choose the right type of rack for the needs of the food and beverage company. It is also important to consider the cost of installation and maintenance when choosing a storage rack system.
Solution 4: Consider the cost of ownership.
When choosing a storage rack system, it is important to consider the cost of ownership. This includes the cost of the rack system, the cost of installation, and the cost of maintenance. It is also important to consider the potential savings that can be achieved by using a storage rack system.
Challenge 5: Compliance
Food and beverage companies must comply with a variety of regulations, including food safety regulations. Storage racks must be designed and installed in a way that meets these regulations.
Solution 5: Work with a qualified professional.
It is important to work with a qualified professional when choosing and installing a storage rack system. A qualified professional can help to ensure that the system is designed and installed in a way that meets all applicable regulations. By following these tips, food and beverage companies can help to ensure that their storage racks are safe, efficient, and organized.
When selecting food and beverage storage solutions, some of your options are:
Pallet Rack: Utilize vertical space in your warehouse with Pallet rack. Structural pallet rack is popular in food distribution due to its damage resistance and ease of wiping down and cleaning its components.
Inverted Channel Wire Decking: Popular in the food distribution industry because inverted support channels make it impossible for food particles, dirt and debris cannot build up. We even offer an inverted channel wire decking with flared channel supports for structural pallet racking.
Drive-in Rack: High density, low efficiency pallet storage rack system perfect for high quantity of SKU’s.
Pushback Rack: High density, high efficiency pallet storage rack systems help you increase speed of pallet picking. Approximately double the cost of drive-in rack but the efficiency is worth it.
Pallet Flow Rack: Purest form of first-in/first-out (FIFO) pallet picking. Approximately double the cost of pushback rack but the FIFO is worth it.
Carton Flow Rack: Integrates into your pallet rack system to increase picking density and efficiency.
Warehouse Rack & Shelf LLC has been around for 40 years and is recognized as a premier provider of material handling and storage products to the nation’s largest original equipment manufacturers (O.E.M), distributors, retailers, and the food & beverage industry. We are headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and have locations to serve you in Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Nashville, Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Detroit. Call us at 800-763-9020 to talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople. We would love to discuss your requirements.