Drive-In Pallet Rack Suppliers in Illinois — 5 Companies
Drive-in rack trades selectivity for density. Forklifts drive directly into the rack structure to place and retrieve pallets, stacking them 5-10 deep in a single lane. If you store large quantities of the same SKU and don't need to access every pallet individually, drive-in makes your square footage work harder. Chicago is the undisputed freight capital of North America. More rail freight passes through Chicago than any other city on the continent. The I-55, I-80, and I-88 corridors south and west of the city contain one of the densest concentrations of warehouses and distribution centers in the world.
Learn more about drive-in rack in Illinois ↓Drive-In Rack Suppliers in Illinois (5)
Rack Builders Inc.
Rack Builders designs and manufactures structural storage rack systems built to RMI specifications by licensed structural engineers. They specialize in selective push-back pallet flow and carton flow systems.
RMH Systems
RMH Systems is the largest Midwest material handling distributor with 80+ years of experience and multiple locations across Iowa and Illinois.
REB Storage Systems International
REB Storage Systems International has been a trusted name in rack and shelving system design and installation since 1962 with installers located throughout the country.
Interlake Mecalux
Interlake Mecalux is among the leading companies in the storage systems market specializing in the design manufacturing and sale of steel racking warehouse automation and warehouse management software.
Frazier Industrial Company
Frazier Industrial is the largest producer of 100% structural steel pallet rack systems in North America. With 10 fabrication facilities they serve industries including manufacturing automotive cold storage and e-commerce.
When to Choose Drive-In Rack
- ✓You store large volumes of a single SKU per lane (bulk storage)
- ✓LIFO (last in, first out) inventory rotation is acceptable for your product
- ✓You're running out of warehouse space and need to increase storage density
- ✓Cold storage — drive-in is the dominant system in freezer warehouses because every cubic foot of cooled space is expensive
- ✓Seasonal storage where you fill up and empty out entire lanes at once
Key Specs to Ask About
- •Lane depth (how many pallets deep — typically 5-10, sometimes more)
- •Pallet weight (affects rail gauge and upright sizing)
- •Clear height (drive-in can go 30+ feet with structural frames)
- •Rail type and profile (standard vs. heavy-duty, affects pallet guide-in)
- •Entry/exit configuration — drive-in (one entry) vs. drive-through (entries on both ends)
- •Column protection — essential, since forklifts are operating inside the structure
How It Compares
| Factor | Drive-In Rack | Push Back Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory rotation | LIFO | LIFO |
| Max depth | 10+ pallets | 2-6 pallets |
| Forklift enters rack? | Yes — drives into the structure | No — loads from the aisle face |
| Damage risk | High — forklifts inside the rack | Low — no entry needed |
| SKUs per bay | 1 SKU per lane (ideally) | 1 SKU per lane, but more lanes per bay |
| Cost per position | $ (lower per position) | $$ (carts and rails add cost) |
Both are LIFO systems. Drive-in goes deeper and costs less per position, but forklifts operate inside the rack (more damage). Push back is shallower but loads from the aisle face — faster, safer, and better for operations with more SKUs.
Every day, approximately 500 freight trains pass through the Chicago metro area. That's more than any other city in the world. The rail yards around Joliet and Elwood are why there's a warehouse every quarter mile along I-55.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between drive-in and drive-through rack?
How many pallets deep should my drive-in lanes be?
Is drive-in rack more expensive than selective?
How many drive-in rack suppliers are in Illinois?
A fully loaded drive-in rack system can hold more weight per square foot than the foundation of the Empire State Building was designed to support.
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