To fully utilise the available warehouse space, warehouse managers must be straightforward about their storage requirements. When selecting the right storage system, it is crucial to consider the loading, retrieval and processing of inventory. The storage system should maximise efficiency to increase revenues while maintaining productivity.
Heavy-duty shelving is one of the best and most durable storage solutions that ensure the smooth running of operations. Here is a brief guide on heavy-duty shelving and its benefits to warehouses. Learn more about their configurations and how they fit particular storage requirements.
What is Heavy Duty Shelving?
Heavy-duty shelving is an ideal storage solution for medium to heavyweight goods. It has compartments and partitions for storing equipment and inventory in a warehouse. This shelving is also adaptable to various warehouse storage needs since the shelves are easily adjustable to hold items.
Types of Heavy-Duty Shelving
1. Industrial Steel Shelving
Industrial steel shelving is a viable storage solution for heavyweight and bulky goods because it can hold power tools and odd-shaped vehicle parts or machinery. Steel shelving is also flexible for mezzanine floor system allowing warehouses to hold equipment for easy loading and picking by using dividers, boxes or storage bins.
2. Boltless Shelving
Boltless shelving configuration does not use nuts or bolts to stabilise the structure, making it efficient for medium to heavy-duty applications. This storage system is easy to install and customise to meet the warehouse storage standards and capacity. Promoters use it mostly for pharmaceutical products and other goods that require maximum visibility.
3. Rivet Shelving
Rivet shelving also has a boltless design for easy assembly and configuration of storage systems. It is built with teardrop pin connectors for adjustability when storing small or bulky items.
Uses of Heavy-Duty Shelving
– Storing Bulky Loads
Manufacturers use high-strength steel to manufacture heavy-duty shelving for holding heavier goods. The shelves provide more storage space in the warehouse by maximising the available floor space.
– Cold Storage
Warehouse operators and managers use wire shelving to store items in temperature-controlled environments to minimise condensation in cold storage and keep items within the desired temperatures.
– Safe Storage of Chemicals
Heavy-duty steel shelving also applies for storing chemicals and corrosive materials in warehouses. Storage units made from industrial-grade aluminium have better corrosion resistance due to the oxide coating that protects the material.
How to Select the Best Heavy-Duty Shelving
There are a few crucial factors to consider when choosing heavy-duty shelving for a warehouse. They include the following:
– Inventory Management Systems
Inventory management and retrieval systems directly impact the choice of a shelving unit. Some of these used by warehouses worldwide include periodic inventory, perpetual inventory and barcode systems.
– Available Floor Space
The type of shelving in a warehouse should be compatible with the available space. Operators should consider extra aisle space for the smooth movement of employees within the warehouse.
– Equipment Accessibility
Forklifts, order pickers and stackers are essential for loading and unloading heavy goods on shelves. The type of heavy-duty shelving should also allow easy access of equipment to aisles and shelves. Such equipment should move from one point to another without colliding or blocking entry for other warehouse users.
Picking the appropriate heavy-duty shelving is paramount for all warehouse operations, whether small or large-scale. Different shelf configurations make it crucial to understand how they work to solve storage needs. Heavy-duty shelving manufacturers guide warehouse managers in selecting the best shelving units based on the available storage space.