• 51 Years' Experience
  • 5,000+ Completed Projects
  • 3.5 Million Sqft. Since 2023
  • CDM Principal Contractor

Bespoke automation and racking systems for food and beverage factories and warehouses

  • Automated Storage Systems
  • Cold and Frozen Storage
  • Food-Safe Pallet Racking
  • Turnkey Warehouse Fit-Outs

Whether you store conventional or oversized pallets, casks and barrels, plastic crates or wooden field-crop crates, Oakway can configure your storage system around your loads, handling methods and operating environment. As a manufacturer of two-way and four-way pallet shuttle systems, we can provide either a proven standard installation or a bespoke solution for more complex requirements.

We assess your required capacity, throughput and future demand to identify the most practical balance between storage density, product access and operating speed. Where required, we can also support feasibility studies, business cases and CAPEX submissions, helping you demonstrate operational value and likely return on investment.

Before committing, you can review the proposed concept, workflows and layout through detailed 2D plans, 3D models and animated visualisations, giving key stakeholders the information they need to make confident decisions.

Your industrial racking will also be specified for its operating conditions, from freezers at temperatures as low as -55°C to chilled warehouses and ambient sites. Solutions can include double-deep, drive-in, narrow-aisle or wide-aisle racking, resulting in a practical system that uses the available space effectively and can respond to changing operational demands.

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Automated storage systems for food and beverage operations

Whether you require standard pallet storage or a more complex application, your automated system can be designed around the products you handle.

Oakway’s 2-way and 4-way pallet shuttle systems can accommodate oversized pallets, casks and barrels, plastic crates and wooden field-crop crates. This gives you a solution that fits your loads and processes rather than forcing them into a standard format.

Two-way and four-way pallet shuttle systems

Two-way shuttle

A two-way pallet shuttle is a high-density, semi-automated storage solution suitable for both FIFO and LIFO operations. A forklift places a pallet at the entrance to the storage lane, where the shuttle collects it, transports it to the next available location and returns ready for the following pallet.

The system provides storage density comparable with drive-in racking while offering greater product selectivity. This makes it particularly effective for operations that manage multiple SKUs but continue to manufacture, store or despatch products in batches.

coca cola shuttle

Key benefits include:

  • Up to 40% additional storage capacity, subject to the building, layout and stock profile
  • Reduced forklift movements and pallet-handling cycles
  • No requirement for forklift operators to enter the racking lanes
  • Support for both FIFO and LIFO stock rotation
  • Operation in temperature-controlled environments down to -40°C

Keeping forklift operators outside the storage lanes can support safer working practices and reduce the risk of impact damage.

As stock profiles and volumes change, the system provides a scalable platform that can be adapted without requiring the entire warehouse to be reconfigured. This makes it particularly suitable for chilled and frozen facilities where space is costly and dependable throughput is essential.

Four-way shuttle

A four-way pallet shuttle is a fully automated warehouse storage system that moves pallets throughout the storage structure in multiple directions.

Key benefits include:

  • Reduced reliance on routine forklift activity within the storage structure
  • Increased storage density through more effective use of the available space
  • A flexible balance of capacity, product selectivity and throughput
  • Modular scalability as storage volumes and performance requirements increase
  • Consistent, controlled pallet movement
  • Suitability for multi-SKU distribution centres, cold stores and temperature-controlled warehouses
  • Effective use of facilities where space is limited or refrigerated storage is costly

Within food and beverage factories, Oakway can integrate the shuttle system with conveyors serving the production area. Finished pallets can enter the automated storage block directly from production before being stored, retrieved and sequenced into despatch lanes close to the relevant loading dock.

This reduces manual handling, improves product flow and helps maintain reliable throughput from production to despatch.

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Storage solutions that are compliant, suitable for your operation and allow for future growth

Static storage systems should do more than hold pallets. By considering stock rotation, SKU profile, pallet type, handling equipment and product flow, Oakway can identify the most effective combination of double-deep, drive-in, narrow-aisle, wide-aisle or high-density storage systems for your operation.

Food and beverage facilities can introduce demanding conditions, including low temperatures, condensation, humidity, intensive cleaning regimes and strict hygiene controls. These factors are considered when specifying materials, finishes, protection and layouts, helping to create a robust system that supports safe operation and applicable food-safety requirements.

Each solution is developed around your current needs while allowing for changing volumes, new product lines and future expansion, helping your investment continue to support the business as it grows.

Your trusted food and beverage fit-out partner

DJL Petfoods – Pallet Shuttle Racking

Oakway delivered a bespoke pallet shuttle and safer storage system, improving capacity, efficiency and load handling for DJL Petfoods.

DJL Petfoods – Pallet Shuttle Racking - Find out more

Jones Food Company – Vertical Farm Racking

Oakway delivers precision-engineered racking system for Jones Food Company’s vertical farm.

Jones Food Company – Vertical Farm Racking - Find out more

Morrisons – Pallet Live Racking

Morrisons approached Oakway Storage as they needed a modern, efficient storage solution that would last for years to come.

Morrisons – Pallet Live Racking - Find out more

The Single Cask – Cask Storage Racking

Efficient and tailored storage solutions: Oakway Storage transforms The Single Cask’s warehouse

The Single Cask – Cask Storage Racking - Find out more

Why choose Oakway as your food and beverage fit-out partner?

  • One Point of Contact
  • Full Turnkey Delivery
  • Ambient to Frozen
  • Built Around Production

Oakway follows a proven methodology designed around the specific demands of food and beverage operations. From ambient storage and production areas to chilled and frozen environments, we coordinate each stage of the project to deliver a seamless warehouse fit out tailored to your products, processes and plans for growth.

Engaging a single contractor simplifies communication, streamlines project management and provides clear accountability throughout the project. Oakway can coordinate racking, storage automation and wider fit-out requirements, giving food and beverage businesses one experienced partner for facility relocation, expansion or refurbishment.

Where specialist refrigeration, processing or infrastructure contractors are preferred – or your company policy requires three quotations – we can provide bespoke procurement packages that meet these requirements while retaining the coordination and accountability of a turnkey solution.

Products for your food and beverage facility

Drive In Racking

Drive in racking designed for high-density pallet storage. Reduce aisle space, maximise capacity and improve bulk storage efficiency with ex

Drive In Racking - Learn how

Conveyor Systems

Conveyor systems designed to improve warehouse flow, speed and efficiency.

Conveyor Systems - Learn how

Fully Automated Solutions

A fully automated warehouse system combines physical automation with intelligent software to manage the complete operation.

Fully Automated Solutions - Learn how

Cask Racking

Maximise cask count, reduce 'cost per cask' storage costs and keep your casks safe.

Cask Racking - Learn how

Pallet Shuttle

Maximise storage density. Improve pallet flow. Future-proof your warehouse.

Pallet Shuttle - Learn how

Pallet Racking Systems

Our pallet racking solutions are perfect for heavy duty, industrial storage.

Pallet Racking Systems - Learn how

Rack & Warehouse Barriers

Protect your people, plant & property with flexible rack & warehouse barriers.

Rack & Warehouse Barriers - Learn how

Warehouse Lighting

Enhance safety, productivity and overall operational effectiveness with effective lighting.

Warehouse Lighting - Learn how

FAQs

What types of food and beverage facilities can Oakway fit out?

Oakway works across production facilities, ambient warehouses, cold stores, freezer warehouses and distribution centres.

Can your storage systems operate in cold stores and freezers?

Yes. Racking can be designed for environments down to -55°C, while two-way shuttle systems can operate at temperatures down to -40°C.

What is the difference between a two-way and four-way pallet shuttle?

A two-way shuttle moves within an individual storage lane and works with forklifts. A four-way shuttle travels throughout the storage structure as part of a fully automated system.

Can a pallet shuttle system support FIFO stock rotation?

Yes. Both systems can support FIFO stock rotation, while two-way shuttles can also be configured for LIFO operation.

Can Oakway accommodate non-standard pallets and containers?

Yes. Systems can accommodate oversized pallets, casks, barrels, plastic crates and wooden field-crop crates.

Can Oakway manage the complete warehouse fit-out?

Yes. Oakway can coordinate racking, storage automation and wider fit-out packages from planning through to installation.

At Oakway Storage, we are always ready to talk about your storage requirements. Our specialist team can provide expert advice for your specific needs – give us a call today or fill in the form for a no-obligation chat

Call us on 01604 792255

or request a callback using the form.
You can also email us on: info@oakwaystorage.co.uk

Business Hours: 8am-5pm

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