No one will argue that racking shelves for warehouse storage is a vital component of a successful business operation. However, there can be arguments if it is planned wrong and not working right for your business.
Therefore, we offer some industry tips on making sure your system works for your business.
Difference between Shelving and Racking Needs
Whatever space you have, you need to figure out what is best for you by considering a few factors. The first one is always going to be which is the most suitable for your operation – pallet racking or commercial shelving.
Commercial shelving is typically for lighter items that can be stacked and stored individually or in boxes. Pallet racking is a heavy-duty solution primarily for the weight and size of palletised goods.
Shelving is typically accessed by handpicking, where staff can pick goods stored by themselves from floor level or via the use of steps. Commercial shelving does not typically reach ceiling level due to this and remains at reach level for goods. Pallet racking systems are typically loaded via forklift due to heavy nature products being stored. This results in a system built more sturdy from heavy-duty steel and the height can go up to forklift level of anything between two to five metres.
Consideration
When choosing your racking shelves for warehouse storage, you need to factor in some of the following.
The first is the size and weight of the goods you are storing. Typically smaller items and boxed goods that can be loaded by hand are set for shelving. Shelving is sturdy and functional, with shelf size and separation set for smaller goods.
You also need a focus on the maximum height you are wanting to stack to. The answer to this not only affects which system you go for, but what you are going to load upon it. You need to look at both who and what is stacking the shelves or racks. If you are stacking a range of items, smaller and lighter ones would go towards the top and heavier items towards the bottom. This helps towards picking but also towards the durability of the system in question, so as no dips in shelving become a recurring problem.
As well as storage and how items of the product are placed when they arrive, you also have to look into how they leave the warehouse. This will impact how your storage solution is designed when you factor in how they are picked, where they are stored close to distribution and what needs to be moved to safely move them.
To determine the best solution to your warehouse needs you need to talk to a professional to cover many areas of consideration. Contact the team at Monarch Shelving today, the best solution in warehouse storage equipment.
