Regular visitors to our blog know that we pride ourselves in discussing ways to maximize available warehouse space. More often than not, we’re talking about pallet racking, the different configurations it can be used in, mezzanine construction etc. But while warehouse storage is synonymous with miles of pallet racking and mezzanines, not every SKU in a warehouse needs to be stored on such large platforms.

With the increasing demands of modern supply chain management, warehouses must store (and process) different-sized items, in the most economic way possible. This has led to facilities needing to be outfitted with different sizes of industrial shelving and storage options.

Some goods are best stored in small parts cabinets or even plastic boxes; for other SKUs, the most efficient storage option is on steel shelving. Shelving is arguably more versatile than pallet racking, as it can be used in the warehouse, in the office, in garages etc. But its versatility also means first-time buyers may have a problem with choosing the right shelving.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what you need to consider when choosing industrial shelving. Let’s run through examples of the most common types of shelving, ranked according the size of the items they carry:

• To store small items, bin shelving is ideal as the small SKUs can be stored in plastic containers which are the stored on the shelving.
• Archive shelving allows users store  large amounts of files and boxes. These shelves can be used to store related documents together making document management much easier.
• Industrial shelving (heavy/medium duty shelving) is considered the most ubiquitous shelving available as it can carry items of all shapes and sizes. Dividers can also be added to increase storage space. For first-time buyers, unsure of they need, industrial shelving is your best bet, as it is easily modified to suit most applications.
• Long span shelving is used to store large and heavy items. Easily modifiable, these shelves can combine with existing pallet racking to hold heavier items without the need for extra space.
• Cantilever racking is ideal for storing long, oddly shaped or bulky items that aren’t transported on pallets.

Other optionss include galvanised shelving, chrome shelving, medium duty shelving, mobile aisle shelving etc.

As you can see, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to creating an efficient storage system. The next step is to determine just how much shelving is required. How much space do you need? How much you can store per shelving unit? To answer these questions:

•  First, determine the total width of shelving area i.e. the length of side-by-side space you’ll use for storage.
• Next, factor in the dimensions of the goods to be stored; its width, depth and height.
• Determine the average weight of the products to be stored. Note that the weight each shelf will bear is based on the weight and number of products on each shelf.

Too much math for you? Contact Monarch Shelving today; our experienced staff can help you measure and design an efficient storage layout for you.

With dimensions in place, some buyers will wonder if they should you invest in new or refurbished shelving. If you are buying shelving from Monarch Shelving, we can assure you that our refurbished shelves have every component required for assembly and are as sturdy as new shelving. They even come with fresh coats of paint and and new peg boards. If you prefer to have new shelving, we stock equipment from some of the biggest and most reliable brands available.

Still not sure which industrial shelves to buy? Click here to contact Monarch Shelving today; we’ll be glad to answer any industrial shelving questions.