Tips On Selecting Warehouse Shelving For Industrial Application

Most wholesalers and retailers use metal shelving units in their warehouses to keep products dry and accessible. They know that shelving reduces breakage and increases the efficiency of order pickers. Manufacturers, however, frequently fail to appreciate the value of warehouse shelving for industrial application.

A typical manufacturer has an even greater variety of products that must be kept near at hand. Some use a great variety of small parts, such as nuts and bolts. Others must find storage for large motors or cases. Many also require specialized tools which are not frequently used but still must be easy to locate should the need arise.

Easy access to parts and tools speeds up production and eliminates wasted time. In addition, inventory is expedited and damages are reduced. Yet all too often, warehouse shelving is ignored in an industrial application. Parts and tools are piled on pallets or even the floor. Cardboard boxes, often unlabelled, are filled with miscellaneous parts that must be sorted through to find what is needed.

Decent shelving systems eliminate many problems. Even a simple system can keep inventory organized, clean, and damage free. Employees are no longer in danger of tripping over items or subjecting themselves to strain while lifting heavy objects from the floor. Low inventory levels are made more obvious, which enables orders to be made in a timely manner and prevent downtime from out of stock parts.

Shelves can be found in a wide range of styles to accommodate any type of environment. Perhaps a company needs to store dozens of sizes of screws, bolts, and washers. There are shelving units that can hold bins to store each type separately. Or maybe a manufacturer uses various sizes of metal rods. A shelving unit with tilted hooks is tailor made for the task. There are even shelves that can handle entire pallets of material with ease.

Industrial warehouse racking units are available in a wide range of shelf styles. Plain, flat metal shelves are the most common, but wire mesh is also available. They can also be found with rubber covered shelves to cushion items. Inserts such as bins and drawers are also available, as well as locking doors. Custom shelving units can be designed, but are seldom needed due to the wide range of accessories available.

Shelving unit styles may be open on all sides or enclosed on the sides and back. They may be as short or tall as needed, and shelf widths can be narrow or deep. For cavernous warehouses, mezzanine style shelves utilize overhead space that is normally wasted space. However, this type will require stairs or lifts and usually catwalks to access the items stored on them.

Warehouse shelving may actually outlast the warehouse. The metal shelves clean up quickly and are not prone to rust, resisting the effects of water and humidity. Eventually, heavy use might make a paint touch up desirable. However, metal shelves are extremely long lasting and durable.

For years, companies have realized the benefits of using metal shelves to store finished product and storage boxes. Manufacturers are now beginning to take note of their advantages and to expand the use of warehouse shelving for industrial application.