Pallet Flow Rack in Michigan
Pallet flow rack uses gravity roller conveyors set on a slight decline inside a rack structure. Load from the back, pick from the front — pallets roll forward automatically as you pull from the lane. It gives you the density of drive-in with the FIFO rotation that perishable goods and lot-controlled inventory demand. Michigan's warehouse sector is deeply tied to the auto industry — parts storage, assembly line feeding, and finished vehicle logistics. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and the I-94 corridor between them form the core industrial market. The state is also a major cross-border trade point with Ontario, Canada.
Learn more about pallet flow rack in Michigan ↓Pallet Flow Rack Suppliers in Michigan (5)
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.
SpaceRak
SpaceRak, a brand of Heartland Steel Products, manufactures engineered steel storage rack systems with 100% welded uprights from facilities in Marysville MI and Lodi CA. Traces roots to Eugene Welding Company (1945).
Speedrack Midwest
Full-service material handling distributor since 1984 selling new and used pallet rack wire deck shelving and safety equipment with installation inspection repair and liquidation services.
Speedrack Products Group
Speedrack Products Group has been manufacturing quality pallet racking and storage systems since 1954. They produce roll-formed and structural rack systems from their Sparta Michigan facility.
UNIRAK
UNIRAK manufactures quality pallet rack and storage products made in the USA at their Taylor Michigan facility. They offer selective drive-in push-back carton flow and mezzanine systems with quick-ship options.
When to Choose Pallet Flow Rack
- ✓FIFO rotation is required (food, beverage, pharma, dated products)
- ✓You need high density without sacrificing inventory rotation
- ✓Throughput is high and you can't afford the forklift travel time of selective rack
- ✓Staging lanes for shipping dock operations
- ✓Manufacturing line-side buffer storage
Key Specs to Ask About
- •Lane depth (pallets deep — typically 3-20+)
- •Pallet weight range (affects roller and brake sizing)
- •Lane pitch (degree of decline — usually 3-5%)
- •Roller type (steel, poly, full-width vs. split-roller)
- •Speed controllers and brakes (critical for heavy loads and deep lanes)
- •Entry guide and pallet separator at the pick face
How It Compares
| Factor | Pallet Flow | Drive-In Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory rotation | FIFO (first in, first out) | LIFO (last in, first out) |
| Loading face | Load from back, pick from front | Single entry — load and pick from same end |
| Mechanism | Gravity roller conveyor | Forklift drives into rack |
| Best for | Dated products, food, pharma | Bulk single-SKU, seasonal stock |
| Cost per position | $$$ (conveyor beds add significant cost) | $$ (simpler construction) |
| Maintenance | Rollers and brakes need regular service | Minimal — static structure |
Pallet flow gives you high density with FIFO rotation — critical for perishable goods and lot-controlled inventory. Drive-in gives you high density at lower cost, but it's LIFO. If expiration dates matter, you need pallet flow. If they don't, drive-in is simpler and cheaper.
Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes but no ocean coastline. It does, however, share the busiest trade crossing in North America with Canada. The trucks crossing that border every day carry enough auto parts to build approximately 15,000 cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between pallet flow and push back rack?
How many pallets deep can pallet flow go?
Is pallet flow rack expensive?
How many pallet flow rack suppliers are in Michigan?
Pallet flow lanes use the same style of sealed bearings you'd find in skateboard wheels — just rated for 3,000 lbs instead of a kickflip.
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