Warehouse Racking in Chicago, IL
The right warehouse racking system can help you make better use of your available space while improving storage capacity and product access. Our team can help you reimagine your facility’s layout to maximize space, storage, and efficiency. Then, we’ll help you find the right standard or custom racking design for your operation.
✓ Maximize warehouse space
✓ Increase storage capacity
✓ Improve product accessibility
✓ Standard & custom designs
✓ Rack solutions exceeding RMI & ANSI standards
Whether you’re planning a new warehouse or optimizing an existing facility, RMH Systems can help you create the right warehouse racking in Chicago, IL, built around your inventory, workflow, and long-term goals.
Talk with a Racking Expert
Racking Designed Around Your Operation
The right racking system starts with understanding how your facility operates. We look at your available space, inventory, equipment, and material flow to help determine the layout and racking configuration that best supports your operation.
Whether you’re outfitting a new facility, expanding storage capacity, or reworking an existing layout, RMH can help you make better use of the space you already have by considering:
✓ Available floor and vertical space
✓ Pallet sizes, weights, and SKU mix
✓ Inventory turnover and accessibility
✓ Forklift and material handling requirements
✓ Product and traffic flow
From layout and design through installation, RMH Systems can help bring your warehouse storage plan together.
Warehouse Racking & Storage Solutions
Choose from a range of warehouse racking systems designed around your inventory, storage density, accessibility, and material flow requirements.
Flexible storage with direct pallet access and configurations for a wide range of warehouse applications.
Push Back Racking
Store multiple pallets deep to increase density while maintaining access to multiple SKUs.
Drive-In/Drive-Through Racking
Maximize storage density for large quantities of similar products with fewer aisles.
Cantilever Rack
Open-front storage for long, bulky or irregularly shaped materials.
Pallet Shuttle Systems
High-density storage that uses a shuttle to move pallets through deep rack lanes.
Comparing Warehouse Racking & Storage Solutions
| Racking Type | Best For | Storage Density | Inventory Access | Inventory Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet Racking | Wide SKU variety & direct pallet access | Low–Medium | High | FIFO or LIFO |
| Pallet Flow | High-volume, fast-moving inventory | High | Medium | FIFO |
| Push Back | Multiple pallets per SKU | High | Medium | LIFO |
| Drive-In/Drive-Through | Large quantities of similar SKUs | Very High | Low | Low LIFO / FIFO* |
| Cantilever | Long, bulky, or irregular materials | Varies | High | Direct Access |
| Pallet Shuttle Systems | High-density deep-lane pallet storage | Very High | Low–Medium | FIFO or LIFO |
*Drive-in is typically LIFO; drive-through can support FIFO.
Stop Costly Sprinkler Accidents Before They Start
A damaged sprinkler head can flood your warehouse in minutes. Heavy-duty K3 in-rack sprinkler guards protect against accidental impacts by forklifts and pallets.
✓ Heavy-duty powder-coated steel
✓ Mounts directly to rack beams for superior protection
✓ Designed to withstand direct forklift impacts
✓ High-visibility design
✓ Multiple sizes and configurations available
✓ Made in the USA
Racking Design Cheat Sheets
Planning a new racking system? Use our quick-reference guides to understand key design considerations and requirements for common rack configurations.
Warehouse Racking Success Stories
Custom Multi-Level Storage System Maximizes Space for NAPA Auto Parts Distribution Center
The owners of several NAPA Auto Parts stores purchased a former Walmart in Princeton, IL, with plans to transform the space into a new retail store and regional parts distribution center.
Starting with the owners’ hand-drawn concept, RMH Systems worked with Western Pacific Storage Solutions (WPSS) to engineer a custom two-level shelving system designed around the facility, inventory requirements, and day-to-day operation.
Challenges
The new distribution center needed to store a large volume and variety of automotive parts while making efficient use of the available warehouse space.
The owners had already developed an initial layout, but turning that concept into a functional storage system required several specific design considerations:
- Large 85′ × 95′ shelving footprint
- Two levels of storage
- 48-inch-wide shelving bays
- Easily adjustable shelves
- Forklift access through the storage system
- Multiple access points between levels
The challenge was to incorporate all of these requirements into one cohesive system without sacrificing accessibility or flexibility.
Solutions
RMH Systems worked with WPSS and the customer to turn the preliminary layout into a fully engineered storage system.
The final design included:
✓ Two levels of shelving
✓ 48-inch-wide adjustable bays
✓ Two landing areas
✓ Four stairways
✓ Integrated forklift access tunnel
✓ Custom NAPA-blue shelving
✓ Safety-yellow stairs, railings and kick plates
RMH Systems developed the professional layout and collaborated with WPSS engineers and the customer to refine the system in real time. Multiple design iterations allowed the team to adjust the layout and ensure the finished system met the customer’s operational requirements before fabrication.
WPSS’s Deluxe shelving system was ultimately selected for its strength, flexibility, and ability to provide the 48-inch bays the customer wanted.
Results
The completed system transformed the customer’s initial hand-drawn concept into a customized storage solution built specifically for its new regional distribution center.
The new system provided:
✓ High-density, multi-level parts storage
✓ Flexible, adjustable shelving for changing inventory
✓ Forklift access through the center of the system
✓ Multiple access points for employees
✓ A layout designed around the customer’s operation
✓ A finished system coordinated with NAPA branding
Close collaboration between RMH Systems, WPSS, and the customer helped keep the project moving from initial concept through engineering, fabrication, and installation while meeting the project’s deadlines.
Custom Warehouse Racking Doubles Storage Capacity for Automotive Parts Manufacturer
A major automotive parts manufacturer in Litchfield, IL, was running out of warehouse space, driving up material purchasing and storage costs.
RMH Systems designed a custom racking system that nearly doubled storage capacity and enabled more efficient purchasing.
Challenges
Limited warehouse capacity was affecting more than just storage. With little room for additional inventory, the manufacturer was forced to purchase materials in smaller quantities and place orders more frequently.
The lack of storage space resulted in:
✕ Limited space for inventory and materials
✕ Smaller, more frequent material orders
✕ Higher shipping costs
✕ Fewer opportunities to purchase in bulk
✕ Limited ability to buy directly from manufacturers
The company needed a storage solution that would make better use of its available space while supporting a more efficient purchasing strategy.
Solutions
After purchasing a new facility to consolidate its warehouse operations, the manufacturer partnered with RMH Systems to design a customized racking and storage system.
RMH designed the system around the company’s:
✓ Available warehouse footprint
✓ Inventory and material requirements
✓ Storage capacity needs
✓ Purchasing and operational goals
The completed system maximized the available warehouse space and nearly doubled storage capacity.
Results
The additional storage capacity gave the manufacturer significantly more flexibility in how it purchased and stored materials.
The additional storage allowed the company to:
✓ Nearly double available storage capacity
✓ Purchase materials in larger quantities
✓ Take advantage of bulk purchasing opportunities
✓ Buy materials directly from manufacturers
✓ Reduce the costs associated with frequent shipments
What began as a warehouse space constraint ultimately improved the company’s purchasing strategy, giving the manufacturer more flexibility while reducing unnecessary shipping and procurement costs.
Need Help Planning Your Racking System?
Our Chicago team can evaluate your space, inventory, and storage requirements to help you find the right racking solution and layout for your operation.
- Address: 110 Schiller St, Ste 320, Elmhurst, IL 60126
- Phone: 630-516-1115
