Anyone managing or owning a logistics business in the current climate will be all too aware of the everyday pressures in the warehouse. Space is at a premium, you need to maximise the flow of stock, picking and packing targets are even tougher. At the same time, you need to increase profitability.
While racking offers many solutions to meet these problems, it might not be the only storage system you can rely on. We explore the benefits industrial shelving solutions can deliver in your warehouse.
Does your warehouse need shelving or racking?
So, you know all about pallet racking and you may have heard of industrial racking, but which one is right for your warehouse?
There is never a one-size-fits all solution for a warehouse and while some companies prefer to choose either racking or commercial shelving, increasingly you will find units mixing up both storage systems to provide the ideal solution.
There is no escaping the multitude of benefits racking can deliver into the warehouse. It’s the ideal solution for storing heavy loads and bulkier items and there are different types of racking available offering their own specific benefits. Whether that’s increasing stock density by reducing aisle widths and going higher with Very Narrow Aisle racking, or removing the aisles with Drive In racking to simplify inventory management. Racking structures offer an impressive lift of positives including boosting productivity, enhancing the flow of your warehouse and improving profitability. The drawback is that these structures take up a significant floor area and usually require forklift trucks or automation for picking stock.
The alternative are industrial storage solutions which are heavy duty shelving units designed specifically for the rigours of a warehouse environment. It is ideal for any environment which focuses on high-turnover items that are smaller in size and don’t need storing on a pallet. You can’t use forklift trucks with heavy duty shelving units and instead need to opt for either manual or automation picking processes.
What are the key benefits of industrial shelving?
If you’re seeing the possibilities of commercial shelving, you’ll need to know what key benefits they can deliver to your warehouse when compared to racking. These can be summed up into four key areas: size, cost, adaptability and functionality.
Size
Most warehouses have awkward spaces that are too small for racking. Instead of wasting valuable square footage, you can instead utilise it with some industrial shelving. These structures are typically smaller than racking and, if you go with a modular shelving solution, you can design a solution that fills every inch of the area to fully maximise the space. Even though these structures are smaller in size, don’t think they will limit your warehouse. These systems come with varying weight carrying capacities which gives you the option of weights of up to 1000kg per shelf.
Cost
Cost is always a major factor within the warehouse, which is where commercial shelving can show its strength. When compared to racking, these systems are incredibly cost-effective. This allows you to increase storage capacity without a significant capital investment yet still offering a competitive weight-loading ability. They are also much easier to install, especially if you go for a boltless shelving unit like our Stockrax systems, in comparison to racking. If you are looking to reconfigure or move the shelving at a later date, the ease of installation will help to reduce costs.
Adaptability
A key benefit of shelving over racking is the adaptability of the structure. While an open shelf might be ideal for some stock profiles, you may need the option for back and slide cladding to close off the shelf space. You should also check if the systems have adjustable shelves and if there are different shelf material options available. Stainless steel shelving is the most commonly available, but you might want alternatives, for example wire rack shelving, if you need to improve air circulation. While there are plenty of different configurations available, you should check your supplier has all the options available.
Functionality
The adjustable nature of the shelves possibly provides the biggest benefit for commercial shelving. These systems come with a wide range of accessories which enables you to divide up your shelf to precisely match the stock held in that space. With our shelving we can offer full or half shelf height dividers and bin fronts to split up the space and create compartments for small or loose parts. Alternatively, go with suspension files, pull-out drawers and reference shelves to create workable spaces. We can even provide lockable cupboard doors, cable reel storage or garment hanging to maximise the shelving’s functionality.
What Different Types of Industrial Shelving Are Available?
Not all commercial shelving units are the same and you can choose from a range of sizes and weight load capacities to match your stock profile. Choose the right system for your space and it will make an immediate and long lasting difference to the way you use the space.
Shortspan shelving
Usually seen as the entry point for warehouse shelving, shortspan is compact with a slim structure yet it is still sturdy enough to hold a load capacity of up to 200kg per shelf. Go for a system like our Euro or Stockrax storage shelves and you’ll find plenty of interchangeable options that enable you to adapt the structure to your requirements. These systems are incredibly versatile which makes them the ideal option if your stock is constantly changing, such as retail environments or the distribution of small parts for automotive shelving or the manufacturing industry.
Longspan shelving
If you need to store bulky and heavy items, then you will need to consider Longspan shelving. These structures perfectly bridge the gap between racking and shelving. Longspan has the capability to hold heavier loads but with the flexibility to meet regularly changing stock patterns. As the name suggests, these structures feature a beam system which enables wider aperture bays compared to standard commercial shelving, but still with the capability to support substantial loads of up to 1000kg per shelf. The bays can be tailored to meet your exact storage requirements, and you can choose from a range of shelf types including steel, mesh, chipboard and timber.
Mobile shelving
One of the key benefits of using shelving within your warehouse is through its ability to work within smaller storage spaces. However, if you’re also looking for a way to maximise stock capacity you might want to opt for a mobile shelving system. With mobile systems you take the shelving, such as our Stormor range, and mount it on a moveable structure. This allows the shelving runs to sit next to each other and remove the need for a fixed aisle. When you need access to a specific shelf, you can easily move the shelving bay to create the open aisle. To maximise your choices, we can offer either track or trackless operations.
Tiered shelving
Creating a storage structure that maximises the height of your warehouse doesn’t need to be constrained because you’ve opted for shelving. A tiered structure will optimise the space within a limited footprint and can be seen as a much more cost-effective option, especially when compared to mezzanine floors. You can take a tiered shelving structure from a one level solution up to five additional levels, potentially increasing storage capacity by up to 300% in the same floor space.
Design Expertise
Interested in getting some industrial shelving for your warehouse but not sure where to start. Trust Whittan’s full turnkey service! Our team of experts will guide you through every stage from designing and supplying an integrated perfect solution and bespoke shelving that meets the needs of your business. If needed, we can also install your storage solution using our own installation teams.
