Pallet Racking Buying Guide: New vs Used, Prices & Top Brands
Pallet racking is the backbone of any efficient warehouse. Whether you're fitting out a new facility or expanding storage capacity, choosing the right racking system — and buying it at the right price — determines how well your operation scales.
Types of Pallet Racking
Selective racking is the most common type. Every pallet is directly accessible, making it ideal for operations with many SKUs and fast turnover. Bay widths typically run 2.7 m with upright frames from 3 to 12 m high.
Drive-in / drive-through racking (inrijstelling) maximises density by allowing forklifts to enter the structure. Drive-in is LIFO; drive-through is FIFO. Used in cold stores and bulk food logistics.
Push-back racking stores 2–6 pallets deep per lane on inclined rails. When a pallet is loaded, the previous one is pushed back. Higher density than selective without sacrificing selectivity as much as drive-in.
Mobile racking mounts selective bays on motorised bases that slide on floor rails. One moving aisle serves the entire block — storage density improves by up to 100% over static selective.
Cantilever racking stores long or awkward loads (pipes, timber, profiles) on horizontal arms projecting from a central spine.
Pricing: New vs Second-Hand
| System | New (per bay) | Second-hand (per bay) | |---|---|---| | Selective racking | €50–150 | €15–40 | | Drive-in racking | €120–200 | €35–80 | | Mobile racking | €350–600 | €100–200 |
Second-hand selective racking from reputable dismantling projects is typically 60–75% cheaper than new. For a 1,000-bay project, that difference is €35,000–110,000.
Key Dimensions and Load Capacities
Standard europallet (1,200 × 800 mm) fits a 2.7 m bay width with two pallets per level and a working aisle of 2.7–3.5 m for a counterbalance forklift, or 1.6–2.0 m for a reach truck.
Beam load ratings for second-hand frames should be verified against the original manufacturer's load tables. A standard pair of 1,800 mm beams at 4,000 mm centres carries 2 × 1,500 kg. Never mix beam profiles from different manufacturers — EN 15512 forbids it.
Top Brands
- **Nedcon** (NL) — Dutch manufacturer, excellent spare parts availability in Benelux
- **Stow** (BE, Menen) — Belgian manufacturer with wide second-hand market in Belgium and Netherlands
- **Dexion** (UK/EU) — classic post-war design, huge installed base
- **Schaefer** (DE) — engineering-heavy, precise tolerances, strong in automation integration
- **Mecalux** (ES) — aggressive pricing on new kit, growing Benelux presence
What to Check When Buying Second-Hand
1. CE marking and load plates — every bay must display the manufacturer's load rating plate. Missing plates = non-compliant under EN 15512. 2. Upright damage classification — use the SEMA or Stow damage guide (green/amber/red). Red uprights must be replaced before use. 3. Hook and safety pin condition (bakkenhaken) — worn hooks allow beams to jump under impact. Replace any hooks showing >1 mm wear. 4. Footplate and anchor bolts — check that baseplate holes align with floor fixings and that concrete is crack-free around anchors. 5. Beam level — rack must be within ±5 mm vertical per 3 m height. Greater deviation indicates prior forklift impact. 6. Complete inspection log — ask for the last SEMA/RACI or internal inspection report. Annual inspections are required under EN 15635.
Ready to Buy?
LayTech.ai lists verified second-hand and new pallet racking across the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Post a free RFQ and receive competitive quotes from vetted suppliers within 48 hours.