Guide to Commercial Industrial Shelving and Accessories

08 Dec.,2023

 

A Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Industrial Shelving and Accessories

Heavy-duty industrial shelving racks store and organize materials in a factory or warehouse setting. It can be used for long-term and short-term storage and offers excellent flexibility for reconfiguring your space.

While configured storage racks are the go-to for larger, palletized stock, shelving is perfect for manual-based inventory management systems. It is also a space and cost-efficient method of bolstering your storage supplies. Shelving typically costs a fraction of the price of pallet rack units.

Industrial shelving is available in a wide variety of sizes, styles, colors, and materials to align with the existing layout of your facility. It can also be adapted to changing needs, making it an ideal solution for continually evolving businesses.

Choosing the Right Type of Commercial Shelving

When choosing commercial shelving for your business, it’s essential to balance cost, durability, and functionality. It’s also beneficial to consider the long-term benefits. Investing in high-quality, industrial steel shelving is a wise strategic decision, solving your storage needs for several decades.

Before deciding on a shelving system, consider the load capacities you need, the layout of the facility, and what type of products you store. If you have special requirements, such as cold or freezer room storage, you may need a particular kind of storage, like wire shelving units.

At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we stock an extensive range of commercial shelving. Our comprehensive inventory list includes standard freestanding shelves, rivet shelving, mobile units, and specially coated wire decking.

Rivet Shelving

Unlike standard shelving units, rivet shelving doesn’t assemble using nuts, bolts, and clips. Instead, the frames, uprights, and decking slot together through single or double rivets. This makes assembly and reconfiguration extremely quick and easy.

We stock several varieties of rivet shelving and accessories, including self-assembly packs and premade units. Our 200A and 200B boltless units are excellent heavy-duty storage options. Both are easy to assemble and come in several height options, from 3 to 12 feet. The 200B units store up to 1,100 lbs. of inventory per shelf, while the 200A shelves support up to 300 lbs.

Another excellent heavy-duty option is our all-welded shelving from Little Giant. These units are made from 12-gauge steel, and each shelf boasts a 2,000 lbs. weight capacity. A key benefit of these shelves is that they come pre-assembled and ready to use.

Heavy-Duty Steel Shelving

Heavy duty steel is the most commonly used material for commercial shelving because of its load capacity potential, durability, and versatility. A well-maintained industrial shelf can support thousands of pounds of inventory and can retain its structural integrity for years or even decades.

Many modern shelving units are made from treated steel or have a coated finish, meaning regular care and maintenance is hassle-free. This shelving is essential for a damp warehouse or cold storage facility.

We carry a range of heavy-duty industrial shelving racks for various businesses. We also stock accessories and replacement components if your units need upgrades or additions throughout the year.

One of our most robust options is our heavy duty roll-out shelving, manufactured by Vestil. These units are built from 10-gauge steel and support up to 1,500 lbs. per shelf (6,000 lbs. overall).

The shelves are an excellent solution for racking heavy dies, fixtures, and tools. They are compatible with machinery, allowing you to conveniently load and unload inventory with overhead hoists, forklifts, cranes, or machine stackers. The adjustable shelves move on 2 to ⅜-inch centers and can extend 20 inches to a locked position. This is useful for storing large and cumbersome loads safely.

Wire Shelving

Wire shelving is a highly versatile option for general storage and a range of specialist solutions. One of the key benefits of wired units is hygiene. The gaps between wires facilitate steady airflow, helping with temperature regulation and preventing dust and debris from gathering on your stock.

This is crucial for temperature-sensitive items and perishable goods, including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Depending on the storage environment and types of products you handle, you can choose from several viable wire shelving options. Our 4-shelf stationary units are practical and cost-effective wire shelves.

Starter units come with four shelves and four posts and offer 800 lbs. of weight capacity per shelf. These components are finished with a durable zinc plating, providing moisture resistance and durability.

Consider installing epoxy decking if you’re looking for cold room storage or shelving for humid environments. These shelves are NSF-approved and are finished with an antimicrobial coating, ensuring they can stand up to regular use in damp warehouses or freezer rooms.

Mobile Shelving

Space utilization is a priority for virtually every business. In the storage and distribution industry, it can have a direct impact on efficiency, productivity, and profit margins. When space is limited, erecting permanent pallet racking systems simply isn’t feasible.

Mobile shelving can be a transformative storage solution for space-tight warehouses, cold storage facilities, and distribution centers. Many shelves can support as much inventory as a fixed unit but don’t require dedicated space.

Mobile units are fitted with industrial-grade casters, providing workers with a safe means to transport heavy loads around a facility. Heavy-duty casters are usually made from durable plastic and steel and are intended for frequent use. Some contain built-in braking casters, securing the shelves in place when they’re not in use.

Mobile shelving integrates seamlessly with a warehouse with an existing pallet racking system. Unlike pallet racks, mobile shelves can be moved around, opening up aisle space and tending to live storage issues as they occur.

Our mobile shelf trucks are heavy-duty mobile options designed to optimize storage space and handle high-volume workloads. Each unit is built from heavy-gauge steel and rugged construction features. Choose from fully open, closed sides, or closed back and sides designs, according to your storage needs.

All trucks roll on two rigid and two swivel casters for precise mobility. They feature convenient handles for optimal control when turning.

Commercial Shelving Accessories

Equipping your commercial shelving with accessories is a great way to optimize workflow and create a more efficient storage system. Items like bin dividers, label holders, cabinets, and base strips improve product visibility, speed up product picking, and reduce worker errors.

We supply several key commercial shelving accessories and replacement parts, helping you ensure your facility runs efficiently at all times. Some of our most popular commercial industrial shelving accessories include:

Base Strips

Base strips stop debris, like packaging waste or metal turnings, from collecting under your shelving system, making them easy to remove. This ensures your warehouse floor remains clean and safe, preventing accidental injury.

Label Holders

Label holders allow you to mark and identify the contents of specific shelves or racks, improving order picking efficiency. Label holders have various fasteners, including adhesives, magnets, and clips to attach to your shelving unit.

Freestanding Dividers

Freestanding dividers or bin fronts help keep items separate, preventing individual items from falling off shelves.

Modular Drawer Cabinets

Modular drawer cabinets allow you to use separate compartments for storing small parts in quantity. These high-density storage cabinets typically have wide handles for easy access.

Other Accessories

Other important shelving accessories on our inventory list are:

  • Aisle marking tape
  • Storage bins and boxes
  • Decking in various materials
  • Safety signs
  • Protection meshes
  • Wire cages
  • Column protectors

Benefits of Commercial Industrial Shelving

Warehouse managers are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. One way to achieve this is by using industrial shelving. Not only does this type of shelving save space, but it also helps to optimize workflow.

Industrial shelving also offers several other benefits, such as:

Customizability

Industrial shelving can be configured to store different size products, including heavy-duty materials, like building supplies or automotive machinery. It is easy to install and dismantle, making it a perfect option for businesses that experience seasonal demand fluctuations or handle high volumes of different product SKUs.

Versatility

Industrial shelving is a versatile storage solution used in various settings, including retail stores, offices, and warehouses. Industrial shelving is available in easy-to-adjust options, and most units are compatible with useful accessories.

It also comes in various materials, styles, and designs to accommodate different product types, warehouse layouts, and budgets.

Space Efficiency

Heavy-duty industrial shelving offers excellent storage density, with some units capable of supporting over 1,000 lbs. of inventory per shelf.

Easy to Access

Many storage shelving unit systems are designed for manual picking, minimizing the need for forklifts or material handling equipment. You can find open and closed configurations. While closed shelving units offer more protection for fragile goods, open shelving provides excellent visibility and access from all sides.

Durability

Steel shelving is a viable option for heavy-duty storage. Industrial or welded steel can withstand impacts from machinery.

Structural or galvanized steel is among the most popular materials used for shelving products in garage storage rooms or manufacturing plants. These materials are corrosion resistant and aren’t prone to damage due to temperature fluctuations.

Find the Best Heavy-Duty Industrial Shelving at Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc.

At Shelving + Rack Systems, Inc., we sell a variety of high-quality new and used metal shelving systems and commercial shelving units to meet your storage needs. We also offer turnkey services, so our staff can help you design and install your commercial industrial shelving system to optimize your layout and workflow.

Browse the range of industrial shelving systems and accessories in our online catalog. For more information regarding industrial shelving storage systems or to request a quote, call us at (800) 589-7225.

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