E-commerce & 3PL Logistics Warehouse Storage Solutions
E-commerce & 3PL Logistics Warehouse Storage Solutions
Customized warehouse racking and storage systems for e-commerce fulfillment centers and 3PL logistics warehouses. Improve picking efficiency, SKU organization, storage capacity, and operational flexibility.
Challenges in E-commerce & 3PL Warehousing
High SKU Volumes
E-commerce fulfillment centers often handle a large number of SKUs with different product sizes, packaging types, and picking frequencies.
Fast Order Fulfillment
Short delivery windows require efficient picking, replenishment, packing, and dispatch processes.
Seasonal Order Peaks
Promotions, holidays, and sales campaigns can cause sudden increases in order volume and temporary storage requirements.
Complex 3PL Inventory
3PL warehouses may manage inventory for multiple customers with different product categories, storage requirements, and service levels.
Picking Labor Costs
Long travel distances and inefficient product locations can increase labor requirements and slow down order fulfillment.
Flexible Storage Requirements
Product mix and inventory levels change frequently, so storage systems need to accommodate new SKUs and changing demand.
Recommended Storage Systems for E-commerce & 3PL Warehouses
E-commerce & 3PL Warehouse Storage System Comparison
|
System Type |
Best For |
Picking Access |
Storage Density |
Recommended For |
|
Selective Pallet Racking |
Palletized inventory |
Direct pallet access |
Medium |
Reserve & Bulk Stock |
|
Industrial Shelving |
Small products & cartons |
Direct item access |
Medium |
High-SKU Picking |
|
Carton Flow Shelving |
Fast-moving cartons |
Very Easy |
Medium-High |
Fast Order Picking |
|
Multi-Tier Shelving |
High-SKU inventory |
Manual access by level |
High |
Space-Limited Warehouses |
|
Shuttle Storage |
High-volume pallet storage |
Automated / Semi-auto |
Very High |
3PL & Bulk Storage |
|
AS/RS Warehouse |
Large-scale fulfillment |
Automated |
Highest |
High-Volume Operations |
E-commerce and 3PL warehouses often use more than one storage system. A practical layout can combine pallet racking for reserve inventory, industrial shelving or carton flow shelving for order picking, and automated systems for high-volume storage or repetitive handling.
The right combination depends on SKU count, product dimensions, order volume, inventory turnover, warehouse height, available labor, and future automation requirements.
Warehouse Design Considerations for E-commerce & 3PL Facilities
SKU Profile
Small Items
Cartons
Totes
Bulky Products
Palletized Goods
Order Volume
Daily Orders
Peak Season Orders
Order Lines
Picking Frequency
Warehouse Height
6m
8m
12m
18m+
Picking Method
Manual Picking
Cart Picking
Batch Picking
Zone Picking
Goods-to-Person
Inventory Characteristics
Fast Movers
Slow Movers
Seasonal Products
Multi-Client Inventory
Returns
Future Automation Requirements
Conveyors
AS/RS
Shuttle Systems
WMS
WCS
AGV / AMR
E-commerce & 3PL Warehouse Projects Worldwide
Need an E-commerce or 3PL Warehouse Solution?
Tell us your warehouse dimensions, SKU quantity, product sizes, pallet specifications, daily order volume, storage capacity, and picking requirements.
Our engineering team will evaluate your warehouse workflow and recommend a customized storage system combining pallet racking, industrial shelving, carton flow, multi-tier shelving, shuttle storage, or AS/RS where appropriate.
We can also provide warehouse layout planning, rack manufacturing, engineering support, and international delivery according to your project requirements.
What is the best racking system for an e-commerce warehouse?
There is no single racking system that fits every e-commerce warehouse. Selective pallet racking is commonly used for palletized reserve stock, while industrial shelving and carton flow shelving are better suited to manual picking of small products and cartons. Large fulfillment centers may also use multi-tier shelving, shuttle systems, or AS/RS depending on order volume and automation requirements.
What type of racking is best for 3PL warehouses?
3PL warehouses generally need flexible storage because they may handle different customers, SKU profiles, pallet sizes, and inventory volumes. Selective pallet racking is useful for flexible pallet access, while high-density systems such as shuttle or push-back racking can be considered for customers with large volumes of similar inventory.
How can warehouse racking improve e-commerce picking efficiency?
The storage layout can reduce unnecessary travel by placing fast-moving products closer to picking and packing areas, using suitable shelf levels, and separating replenishment from picking flows where appropriate. Carton flow shelving can support this approach by allowing cartons to move from the replenishment side toward the picking face.
Can the same warehouse use different types of racking?
Yes. A mixed storage strategy is often practical for e-commerce and 3PL facilities. For example, pallet racking can be used for reserve stock, industrial shelving for small products, carton flow for fast-moving SKUs, and multi-tier shelving for high-SKU manual picking areas.
Can e-commerce warehouse racking support seasonal inventory changes?
Yes. Modular shelving and pallet racking can be adjusted or expanded as inventory changes. For warehouses with significant seasonal fluctuations, the layout can also be planned with flexible picking zones and additional storage capacity for peak periods.
Can AS/RS and shuttle systems be integrated into an e-commerce or 3PL warehouse?
Yes. Depending on the warehouse process, AS/RS and shuttle-based systems can be integrated with conveyors, WMS, WCS, and other material handling equipment. The appropriate automation level depends on order volume, storage density, product characteristics, and required throughput.
Can OUGLON customize an e-commerce or 3PL warehouse racking system?
Yes. OUGLON manufactures customized warehouse racking systems based on warehouse dimensions, SKU characteristics, pallet specifications, product weight, storage capacity, picking method, and future automation requirements.
OUGLON is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the design, manufacturing, installation, and integration of intelligent warehouse storage and logistics systems. OUGLON provides customized storage solutions and automated warehouse systems for global customers across various industries.
CONTACT US
Mobile: +86 0712 2552 000
Phone: +86 159 2711 2720
Email: tina@ougulongrack.com
WhatsApp: +86 159 2711 2720
Address：Dongshantou Innovation Industrial Park, Xiaonan District, Xiaogan, Hubei, China
