Straight answers to the questions we hear most from warehouse and distribution teams evaluating new or used pallet rack.
Yes, when it has been properly inspected, refurbished where needed, and installed correctly. Used rack meets the same OSHA and RMI standards as new rack, the material standard is performance-based, not age-based. The key is buying from a dealer who has physically inspected the material and can document its condition and load ratings.
Rack compatibility depends on ceiling height, column spacing, aisle width, and forklift type. A reputable vendor will ask for these measurements before quoting. The major dimensions that drive configuration are clear height (floor to lowest obstruction), building column spacing, and your forklift's turning radius.
In most cases, yes. Major rack profiles from established manufacturers have been in production for decades, and the used market carries a wide range of compatible inventory. The more important question is whether your dealer maintains ongoing inventory levels that can fill an add-on order.
For used rack from in-stock inventory, a small to mid-size project (1,000 to 5,000 pallet positions) can typically go from quote to installed in two to four weeks. New rack projects with a similar scope typically take 10 to 14 weeks due to manufacturing lead time.
Leasing is available but uncommon in the used rack market, typically through external equipment-financing companies. AMH handles lease arrangements in specific situations, primarily for customers who need rack for two years or less. For longer-term needs, purchasing is almost always the better economic choice.
You have three options: sell it back to a dealer, decommission it and recycle the steel, or move it to your new facility. The third option is rarely economical, disassembly, transport, and reinstallation costs typically exceed buying an equivalent used rack for the new space.
Contact AMH directly. A team member will ask for your configuration requirements, facility dimensions, timeline, and approximate pallet position count. For larger projects, an in-person or virtual site visit helps ensure the quote is accurate.
Yes, properly inspected and refurbished used rack meets the same OSHA and RMI standards as new rack.
Yes, a 172-point rack safety inspection built on FM Global, ANSI RMI MH16.1, and DS 8-9 standards, covering existing damage and anything likely to cause it. It's the recommended starting point: the inspection surfaces the work, and most customers convert the findings into a Rack Safety Maintenance Plan.
Our umbrella for keeping your operation running: facility maintenance and rack repair, each available three ways, a one-time service call, a scheduled inspection, or an ongoing maintenance agreement with member benefits like repair discounts and priority response.