Top Pallet Rack Manufacturers in 2025

Editor’s note: Updated August 2025. Selection criteria: global manufacturing capacity, engineering depth, code compliance, portfolio breadth, and supply reliability.

Methodology: What “Top” Means for Racks

Ranking weighs five signals that matter in the real world:

• Code discipline. Public alignment with ANSI/RMI MH16.1, EN 15512:2020, and FEM guidance.
• Portfolio depth. Selective, drive-in/through, push-back, pallet flow, mobile, shuttle, AS/RS interfaces.
• Manufacturing footprint. Structural vs. roll-formed capability; regional plants that shorten lead times.
• Documentation. Technical pages, not brochures; accessible spec sheets and installation guidance.
• Field reliability. Design choices that reduce impact damage, ease re-slotting, and simplify inspection.

Non-Negotiables: Upright and Beam Facts That Decide Safety

• Beam deflection limit. RMI states: “The deflection limit equals the beam length divided by 180” (L/180). Source: RMI explainer.
• Anchorage. RMI clarifies: “All pallet rack columns should be anchored … to the floor with bolts,” including rear posts. Source: RMI, Column Base Plates and Anchors.
• European design baseline. Adjustable pallet racking in Europe follows EN 15512 design principles and FEM bulletins (see FEM 10.2.02 overview).
• Secure storage practice. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176(b) requires stacked materials remain stable and secure against sliding or collapse. Reference: OSHA text.

The 2025 Leaders: Who Builds Best-in-Class Pallet Racks

Interlake Mecalux (North America)

Why it ranks. Deep catalog and global group backing. Mature selective platforms with straightforward spec access.

Where to verify. Selective racking detail page: interlakemecalux.com/warehouse-racking/pallet-racking.

Frazier Industrial (Structural Specialist)

Why it ranks. Structural steel focus for impact-heavy environments, multi-plant capacity across North America.

Where to verify. Structural rack scope: frazier.com/storage-solutions; company profile: About Frazier.

Nucor Warehouse Systems (Hannibal heritage)

Why it ranks. Steelmaker integration, scale, and the Hannibal legacy across teardrop and structural lines.

Where to verify. Manufacturer overview: nucor.com/products/warehouse-systems and nucorwarehousesystems.com.

Ridg-U-Rak

Why it ranks. Original slotted connection lineage, broad menu across roll-formed and structural, strong technical pages.

Where to verify. Product specifics: Pallet Rack Storage, Slotted Rack.

Steel King

Why it ranks. SK2000 boltless selective and structural lines, clear spec documentation, U.S. manufacturing.

Where to verify. Product pages: Pallet Rack and Catalog overview.

UNARCO

Why it ranks. Both roll-formed and structural, wide accessory ecosystem, long-standing engineering practice.

Where to verify. Technical overview: Pallet Rack & Warehouse Storage.

AR Racking (EU with U.S. presence)

Why it ranks. Strong R&D pipeline and EN-centric design; expanding U.S. teardrop compatibility.

Where to verify. U.S. hub and selective details: ar-racking.com/us, Pallet Racking, Selective.

SSI SCHAEFER

Why it ranks. Integrated mobile systems and racking that interfaces cleanly with automation.

Where to verify. Pallet racks and mobile systems: Pallet racks, Mobile racking.

Dexion (Constructor Group)

Why it ranks. P90 platform maturity and global installed base, broad variants including mobile and VNA.

Where to verify. Technical catalogues: Pallet racking, Wide-aisle P90, P90 specification PDF.

NEDCON

Why it ranks. Strong engineering under EN and FEM codes, robust interfaces for automated storage.

Where to verify. Pallet racking pages: Manual pallet racking, Automated pallet racking.

Comparison Matrix: What Each Manufacturer Does Best

Selection Playbook: Map Design to Risk

High-impact, freezer, or heavy pallets

Favor structural steel frames and beams to resist forklift abuse, cold brittleness, and repeated impacts. Frazier and Nucor maintain structural portfolios with deep references (Frazier; Nucor).

High mix, direct access, fast changeovers

Use boltless teardrop selective with strong beam profiles and verified L/180 deflection compliance (RMI). Interlake Mecalux and Steel King publish clear selective specs (Interlake selective; Steel King).

Compact cold stores and high cost per m²

Consider mobile pallet racking, which compresses aisles while retaining 100% selectivity when opened. SSI SCHAEFER documents performance envelopes on its mobile systems (Mobile racking).

Automation roadmaps (shuttle, AS/RS)

Shortlist manufacturers with proven tolerances and EN/FEM alignment. NEDCON and Dexion articulate interfaces and tolerances for automated storage (NEDCON automated; Dexion P90 PDF).

Upright & Beam Engineering: The Specs That Matter

Columns & bracing. Typical selective frames use upright depths of 36–48 inches and column sizes in the ~3″ class for light/medium duty. Capacity depends on unbraced length, bracing pattern, steel grade, and seismic detailing. Updated capacity calculations under ANSI MH16.1-2021 consider stiffness factors beyond simple unbraced length; see RMI’s note on the revision (RMI 2021 capacity update).

Beams. Verify flange stiffness and connection shear. Enforce the L/180 limit and ensure published capacities assume uniformly distributed loads, not point loads (RMI on point vs. UDL).

Anchorage. Anchor every column with engineered base plates and anchors suited to slab thickness and seismic category (RMI on anchoring). Keep storage stable and secure per OSHA 1910.176(b) (OSHA text).

Manufacturer-to-Use-Case Map

What to Ask Vendors in 2025

1. Design basis. “Confirm the design standard and edition (ANSI/RMI MH16.1-2021 or EN 15512:2020+A1:2022). Provide stamped calcs for my slab and seismic category.”
2. Load model. “State beam capacities at UDL and at worst-case point loads. Show deflection at service under L/180.”
3. Anchorage. “Provide plate thickness, anchor type, embedment, and edge distances per slab report. Confirm every column anchors.”
4. Collision resilience. “Document expected damage modes and replaceable members. Quote guardrails, end-of-aisle, and column protection.”
5. Change readiness. “Publish allowable hole patterns, re-slot limits, and mixing rules by connection type.”

Citations From Standards Bodies and Institutes

• “The deflection limit equals the horizontal length of the beam divided by 180.” — RMI beam deflection.
• “All pallet rack columns should be anchored … with bolts.” — RMI anchorage.
• “Adjustable pallet racking systems — principles for structural design.” — BS EN 15512:2020; FEM overview Info Bulletin No.2.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176(b) on secure storage — official text.

FAQs

Which rack type outlasts abuse?

Structural steel frames and beams typically outlast roll-formed in impact-heavy aisles (dock approaches, freezer). See Frazier’s structural scope (Frazier) and Nucor’s portfolio (Nucor).

How to read a beam capacity chart?

Confirm UDL vs point load assumptions and check deflection at service meets L/180 as RMI prescribes (RMI UDL vs point, RMI L/180).

Does every upright need an anchor?

Yes. RMI states all columns require anchorage; do not skip rear posts (RMI anchorage).

Is a European design acceptable in North America?

Yes with engineering. EN 15512/FEM designs can satisfy performance goals, but local codes, seismic, and slab physics still govern. Demand calcs sealed for your site.

What single spec prevents most beam issues?

Enforcing L/180 deflection at service and banning point-loaded pallets without engineering sign-off prevents many overstress problems.

Which connection style is future-proof?

Teardrop boltless eases re-slotting across brands; verify mixing rules and locking pin requirements per manufacturer pages (e.g., Interlake selective, Steel King).

Do I need a structural PE?

For permitted work and seismic regions, yes—require signed calculations, slab verification, and anchor schedules.

Disclaimer: Selection depends on load cases, slab data, seismic category, environment, and operations. Always request stamped calculations and installation drawings that cite the governing standard edition.