Explaining the Basics and Benefits of Warehouse Shelving Storage

Sorting out your inventory may be an easy job if you own a small shop but if you need to organize and keep track in a warehouse full of various products, then you need a separate system in place. The best solution, in this case, would be shelving as its benefits and properties make for a convenient storage space that is easily accessible and easy to implement. Organizing your inventory can save you space and improve efficiency, so without further ado, let’s take a look at all the benefits shelving offers and check out the different types of storage units you can implement in your warehouse.

Benefits

• Since all shelving is made from steel in order to endure the wear and tear from forklifts and withstand extreme temperatures, this type of storage is usually very durable. There are different types of coatings that can make a shelving storage corrosion-resistant – galvanised metal shelving being the perfect example. A proper finish will not only keep the unit in great condition but it will also make it look better.

• Shelving is available in all sorts of styles, weight capacities, colours and height levels, which you can customize to your needs. This makes it a highly versatile solution and while it may take a little bit longer for a manufacturer to make a custom shelving unit, it will be ideal as it will fit your storage needs best.

• This type of storage units usually come in pieces so it’s easier to transport them, but what’s also easy is the assembly part. Even if the retailer/ provider isn’t able to do that for you, the instructions are pretty simple and clear to follow and you won’t have major issues putting them together by yourself.

• Although this is metal we are talking about, it is still a space-efficient storage solution, since there are designs that allow you to have them up sideways and store your products that way. Metal shelving is also the most cost-effective solution as it is strong and durable but it is also one of the least expensive solutions. Make sure to always check the quality of the metal though since metal shelving is cheap and you can easily get drawn to the fact that it’s of the same quality as a more expensive one.

• With cross-bracing and center supports, you can make your shelving sturdier so it can support heavier loads without being a safety hazard. This depends on the size and weight of the items you want to store as not every shelving unit will be able to do so even if you fortify it. In case the unit is not able to hold up the weight, even with the added supports you can always find a unit with a bigger capacity.

• Shelving units are usually quite open which makes it easy to spot certain products and reach them. Besides making your warehouse operations more convenient, this feature also speeds up the retrieval of products and makes identifying damaged goods easier. This way, the order pickers are more efficient and have a more streamlined workflow.

Types

• The regular steel shelving units are the most common type you’ll come across since they are robust and durable and not that easy to get bent or damaged. This type of shelving storage is ideal for small products with carton packaging and it can also be used as a normal floor unit or as a high-rise system which is useful in bigger warehouses.

• Wire shelving may not be the most durable and sturdiest type there is, but it is used in case you want to have better visibility of your items. They are also very easy to assemble and don’t collect as much dust since the surface on which the products are sitting is a collection of metal wires. Wire shelving can sustain quite a bit of weight before it collapses completely despite not being made out of strong material.

• Rivet shelving, like steel shelving, is very durable and versatile and it has no bolts or clips which makes it easy to assemble. A rivet shelving unit is a great in-between option that gives you the best of both worlds, and although it can’t endure very extreme weather conditions – it is easier to adjust it when it comes to stacking up units.

• Bulk rack units are a lightweight shelving storage solution that is both durable and boltless, which makes them a good choice for hand-stacking products. Plus, they can be turned into mobile units if you add casters to them. They are easy to assemble and disassemble but that’s only for one time use, and contrary to popular belief – they are not bulky at all.

• Clipless shelving is usually made with a steel bracing and particleboard, which makes these storage units very versatile and easy to assemble. What’s impressive is the fact that despite being so lightweight and easy to maintain, they can actually hold loads between 200 and 300kg depending on their base shelving unit.