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.

When employees must spend time to locate the equipment or components needed, production rates decline. Physical inventory counts are time consuming and often inaccurate. Items are more easily lost or damaged. Still, many companies fail to recognize the benefits of warehouse shelving in industrial application. Items may be heaped on the floor or piled up on pallets. Boxes of unrelated parts may be stacked, often without labels, wherever there is floor space. When something is needed, finding it can sometimes resemble a scavenger hunt.

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 storage needs may be, there are shelves to handle them. Manufacturers who use a lot of very small parts such as screws and pins can find types that will accommodate drawers to hold each individual size. There are also styles with slanted shelves and hooks, and some that can easily hold full pallets.

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.

The least expensive and most common style of industrial shelf is open on all sides, but they can also be found with panels on the back or sides. Heights can be as short as three or four feet or as tall as seven. The width of the shelves can vary from about ten inches up to about 48. In warehouses with a high ceiling, mezzanine shelves can turn wasted space into storage. These high rise shelf units are normally accessed by rolling stairs and often have connecting catwalks.

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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