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.
Manufacturing environments usually have even more types of items they must keep on hand. Component parts may be as small as a half inch washer or as large as a motor. In addition, there is normally a large collection of tools, many of them specialized, which are rarely used and therefore not incorporated with the workbench.
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.
Metal shelving systems keep inventory safe, clean, and organized. The aisles are easier to keep clear, eliminating trip hazards. Employees are no longer subjected to bending over pallets to find an item or having to lift heavy items in an unsafe manner. The need to reorder parts becomes more obvious, preventing potential production down time due to lack of materials.
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 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.
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