Wholesalers and retailers have long considered metal shelving units as necessary equipment. Stock can be stored in safety, orders can be filled faster, and inventory can be counted more accurately. Manufacturers, however, sometimes overlook the benefits 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.
Easy access to parts and tools speeds up production and eliminates wasted time. In addition, inventory is expedited and damages are reduced. Yet all too often, warehouse shelving is ignored in an industrial application. Parts and tools are piled on pallets or even the floor. Cardboard boxes, often unlabelled, are filled with miscellaneous parts that must be sorted through to find what is needed.
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.
Shelves can be found in a wide range of styles to accommodate any type of environment. Perhaps a company needs to store dozens of sizes of screws, bolts, and washers. There are shelving units that can hold bins to store each type separately. Or maybe a manufacturer uses various sizes of metal rods. A shelving unit with tilted hooks is tailor made for the task. There are even shelves that can handle entire pallets of material with ease.
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.
Shelving unit styles may be open on all sides or enclosed on the sides and back. They may be as short or tall as needed, and shelf widths can be narrow or deep. For cavernous warehouses, mezzanine style shelves utilize overhead space that is normally wasted space. However, this type will require stairs or lifts and usually catwalks to access the items stored on them.
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.
For years, companies have realized the benefits of using metal shelves to store finished product and storage boxes. Manufacturers are now beginning to take note of their advantages and to expand the use of warehouse shelving for industrial application.
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