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.

A typical manufacturer has an even greater variety of products that must be kept near at hand. Some use a great variety of small parts, such as nuts and bolts. Others must find storage for large motors or cases. Many also require specialized tools which are not frequently used but still must be easy to locate should the need arise.

Production rates suffer if employees must waste time to search for tools or components. Physical inventories are slow and often erroneous. Yet warehouse shelving is often ignored in an industrial application. Pallets may be piled high with an assortment of parts. Tools may be in unlabelled cardboard boxes. When something is needed, it is necessary for the employee to sort through collections of miscellaneous and unrelated items to find it.

A good shelving system can solve these problems. Metal shelves support inventory in a clean, organized way. Employee safety is increased, as there is less bending and stooping and far fewer trip hazards. Parts that need to be reordered are more quickly identified, resulting in fewer work stoppages due to out of stock components. And items are not as likely to be broken or damaged.

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.

Even medium quality metal shelving will last for a number of years. A quick dusting and occasional wipe with soap and water will keep them clean. They shrug off the effects of sunlight and humidity without rusting. After years of rough use, they may need their paint touched up in places, but beyond that they are virtually indestructible.

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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