Warehouse safety and versatility are two of the most important factors contributing to a successful storage facility. Designing a safe warehouse ensures your facility is compliant with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) standards and helps create an efficient and productive storage operation.
Industrial shelving is one of the safest and most versatile storage options for warehouses, manufacturing plants, and other storage facilities. It is durable, sturdy, and space-efficient, making it suitable for various industries, from pharmaceuticals to automotive parts manufacturing.
How Industrial Shelving Increases Safety and Versatility
There are several advantages to using industrial shelving. It increases the safety and versatility of a storage facility through its core characteristics:
Durability
Industrial shelving is typically manufactured from high-grade steel. This durable material can withstand intensive use and handle heavy-duty items. Storage facilities are fast-paced working environments, so industrial shelving must be capable of withstanding wear and tear from daily operations, temperature changes, and accidental impacts from machinery like forklifts.
At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we supply a range of new and used industrial shelving systems. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose between various styles built with different steel grades for high-density storage options to mobile storage racks.
Our 84” high pre-engineered bulk storage racks are manufactured from 14 gauge steel, providing excellent durability. Designed for handloading bulky goods, each beam pair can support up to 1,900 lbs.
It is a versatile option, compatible with different decking materials, including solid steel, flat wire, and particleboard. If you need additional shelf decks, we also provide several options in various sizes.
Strength
When compared to standard retail shelving, industrial options are much stronger. Industrial units boast impressive load capacities. They are durable and capable of withstanding impacts and scratching. They are a popular option for mechanic workshops and manufacturing facilities for storing machine parts, tools, and heavy equipment.
The downside to this type of storage system is that industrial shelving can be heavy. To ensure safety and ease of access, it’s important to choose the right kind of shelving. Steel shelving is available in closed or open varieties.
Closed steel shelves have metal panels on three sides, keeping products enclosed and preventing them from falling. The panel also improves the stability of the shelves. Closed steel shelves may also look more organized and visually appealing for retail settings.
Open steel shelving doesn’t contain any panels. It relies on its frames and braces to provide stability and strength. Open shelving allows easy access to products from all sides. It is extremely versatile because it is far less restrictive than closed configurations.
We provide strong 48” industrial steel shelving, available in open and closed configurations, depending on your needs. Each shelf has a 600 lb. load capacity. Depending on the size and type of products you store, choose between a shelf depth of 12”, 14”, or 24”.
Customizability
Industrial shelving is highly customizable, whether you need to reconfigure certain parts to create deep racking or improve its load capacity with replacement decking. The customization potential can drastically enhance the versatility of a storage facility.
One of the most significant advantages of custom shelving is its space efficiency. In addition to reconfiguring individual units, you can equip industrial shelving with accessories, such as shelf bins. This improves picking efficiency and material handling processes while increasing aisle space. Smooth operations and increased warehouse floor space create a safer working environment for warehouse personnel and visitors.
Due to its versatility, boltless or rivet shelving is one of the most popular industrial shelving options. It is highly customizable and easy to assemble, making it an excellent storage solution for retail stores and storage facilities. With height-adjustable shelves, boltless racks can be advantageous for automotive garages that store a range of items, from tools to spare parts.
Rivet warehouse racking is available in durable, powder-coated steel, ensuring it is resistant to corrosion. The chemical resistance makes it a safe storage option for pharmaceutical manufacturing plants or facilities that handle corrosive materials.
We stock several types of boltless shelving so you can find the right type for your needs. Our 200B shelving is a cost-effective alternative to heavy-duty pallet racking systems. It is easy to assemble without any nuts, bolts, or clips. Products can be accessed from all sides with this open shelving option.
The 200 shelving series adjusts on 1” to ½” centers and comes in a range of heights. Shelving load capacities start at 650 lbs. and max out at 1,100 lbs. Choose between particle or laminate board shelves depending on the type of products you store. We also stock extra particle and laminate board shelves if your racks need an upgrade.
Product visibility
Product visibility is extremely important for any storage space, particularly for health and safety. Open industrial shelving allows pickers and forklift operators to quickly identify inventory, reducing congestion that could lead to an accident.
Many of our industrial shelving options are highly customizable, allowing you to configure them to create fast and efficient retrieval. Custom units help your workers to avoid accidental contact with shelving units.
Our Boxer Box shelving is available with strong and durable 20 or 22 gauge steel shelves. The uprights allow for 1” to ½” adjustments, giving you a versatile storage option. Boxer box shelving is easy to assemble using clips, particularly if you opt for an open unit. Closed shelves feature 24 gauge steel back and end panels, adding stability and increasing product protection. Each unit also comes with sway braces.
Mobility
Mobile industrial shelving is an excellent alternative to traditional pallet racking, such as flow racking or push-back racking. One of the most versatile shelving options, it can reduce floor space use significantly. This shelving style can dramatically improve storage capacity without increasing the size of the premises.
With better versatility, mobile shelving enables facilities to open only one working aisle at a time. This eliminates the need for standard aisle widths, creating a safer environment for product retrieval.
Another advantage of mobile racking is integration with existing pallet rack systems. Mobile shelves are equipped with casters, transporting them efficiently around the facility. There are several different types of industrial mobile shelving. Lightweight varieties can be used for document storage in office buildings or general merchandise like electronics or food products.
Wire shelving is one of the most versatile mobile options. The gaps between wires prevent dust build-up and make the units easy to keep clean. Wire shelving is frequently used to store food, beverages, and pharmaceutical goods. Wire mobile carts are also perfect solutions for hospitals and medical facilities where sanitation, strength, and mobility are paramount.
We provide versatile, high-grade wire shelving options that are beneficial to multiple industries. Our 4-shelf mobile units are zinc plated and carry up to 1,200 lbs. over four individual shelves. For a more robust and durable option, consider our heavy-duty 3-sided trucks. These are built from 12 gauge steel and support up to 3,600 lbs., making them an excellent mobile addition for a busy industrial warehouse.
Increase Warehouse Safety and Versatility With Quality Shelving
At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we offer a wide variety of new and used industrial shelving. We also supply shelving extras and accessories, enabling you to create custom configurations to fit your facility’s needs.
Our installation crews are fully insured, qualified, and factory-trained with years of experience, so rest assured your shelving units will be installed safely and correctly.
For more information on our products, browse our online catalog. If you need advice or guidance on industrial shelving, give us a call today at (800) 589-7225.
