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.
In an industrial environment, there are often many different types of parts that must be kept easily accessible. Small items, such as screws and washers, are often a problem to store, as are large components like engines. Many times there is also a collection of specialized tools, seldom used but which still need to be conveniently located.
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.
A good shelving system can solve these problems. Metal shelves support inventory in a clean, organized way. Employee safety is increased, as there is less bending and stooping and far fewer trip hazards. Parts that need to be reordered are more quickly identified, resulting in fewer work stoppages due to out of stock components. And items are not as likely to be broken or damaged.
Whatever the environment, shelves are available to suit. A company that uses a lot of different styles and sizes of nails or screws can find units to hold bins that will keep each style sorted and easily accessed. Units with tilted shelves and hooks can make storage of metal beams a breeze. And if the need is to store full pallets, there are shelves that can handle that, too. Specialized shelving units can be custom made, but with the array of standard inserts available, there is seldom any need.
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.
Units may be completely open on the sides or partially enclosed. Heights can vary considerably, as can shelf widths. Mezzanine shelves rise high above the floor in large warehouses and utilize space that would normally be wasted. Mezzanines are accessed by stairs or connecting catwalks, or, occasionally, by lifts.
Warehouse shelving lasts for many years. It is easy to clean and resists the effects of the elements very well. After a few decades of abuse, a quick touch up of paint might be needed, but there should be no rust issues to deal with.
Many companies have long seen the advantage of metal shelves for storing finished goods and boxes of records. It would be to the benefit of all manufacturers to examine the value of warehouse shelving for industrial application.
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