Choosing the Right Industrial Warehouse Shelving

Industrial warehouse shelving offers various types, sizes, and styles to choose from. Exploring all options is the best way to customize your warehouse to maximize your industrial space.

REB Storage Systems International offers all types of warehouse shelving nationwide, including single level and multilevel rivet shelving systems. We are highly experienced in project managing shelving systems, including system design, materials and subcontractor procurement, installation, and permitting.

We’ve put together this article to help you better understand industrial shelving options for your warehouse. It explores ideal uses, features, and types of warehouse shelving. To contact the professionals at REB for further assistance, fill out our form or call us at (800) 252-5955.

Uses of Industrial Warehouse Shelving

Industrial warehouse shelving can be used to outfit your entire space, or just a small section of it. Because most shelving options can be easily adjusted at any time, it offers adaptability for fluctuating inventory levels and varying product sizes. This ability to adjust the height of each shelf level minimizes wasted space, ensuring that each shelf is used as efficiently as possible, both now and as new demands arise.

Industrial shelving can be combined with other material handling storage solutions, such as pallet racking, for maximized efficiency for the diverse needs of inventory. Additionally, integrating items with shelving such as bins creates a more efficient picking system by storing items systematically, categorized by type, size, or frequency of use. This simplifies inventory management, making it easier for workers to access stored items quickly and reducing the time spent locating products. Read our case study that demonstrates industrial rivet shelving with bins as part of an overall material handling system.

Because of its versatility, industrial warehouse shelving can be used in a variety of settings, from being part of a pick module in a large distribution center to retail backroom storage. It allows warehouses to utilize vertical space efficiently, stacking products or materials higher to maximize storage capacity without expanding the warehouse footprint.

Optimizing Warehouse Storage with the Right Shelving Solutions

Ultimately, choosing the right industrial warehouse shelving involves careful consideration of various factors including the size of your storage space, the nature of the items to be stored, and picking practices. From rivet and wire shelving to industrial steel and gravity flow options, there is a diverse range of shelving solutions tailored to meet different storage needs and enhance operational efficiency.

When deciding what industrial warehouse shelving option is best, consider the following factors:

• How big is my storage space?
• How tall am I able to store?
• What items will be stored here?
• How big are the items that need to be stored?
• What shapes are the items?
• What are my product flow requirements?
• What type of environment am I storing in (humid, freezer, etc.)?

Once you understand your inventory characteristics and product flow requirements you can determine which type of shelving may be best for your operation. Read below to learn about each type of industrial shelving.

Rivet Shelving

Rivet shelving, also known as boltless shelving, is easily assembled and does not require nuts, clips, or bolts. Instead, beams are connected to vertical posts (uprights) via protruding metal tabs or pins, called rivets, that are attached to the ends of horizontal beams. These rivets are designed to fit securely into the corresponding shaped slots on the vertical posts of the shelving unit.

Since the vertical posts have multiple slots along their length, the beams can be placed at various heights, allowing for customizable shelf spacing to suit different storage needs. It also allows for reconfiguration of the beam heights. Rivet shelving offers a variety of decking options, including wire, particle board, and solid steel.

Rivet shelving offers beam options to accommodate light to heavier loads and is the most common type of shelving in warehouses. It is ideal for small parts storage, handpicking, backroom storage, and archive box storage. Rivet shelving can be designed as a single level or multi-level storage system. Rivet shelving can also often be added on to vertically for future growth via splicing. This allows you to build the shelving to the height necessary for current requirements, with the intention of adding on vertical storage in the future. Read this case study to better understand the splicing method.

Wire Shelving

Wire shelving consists of metal vertical posts (poles) with metal wire shelves, typically in a grid pattern. Wire shelving is often adjustable, with shelves that can be repositioned at different heights to accommodate varying storage needs. It is available in chrome, stainless steel, and epoxy coated, making it a viable option for humid environments. It can also be fitted with casters to provide mobility.

Wire shelving offers several advantages, including excellent visibility of stored items, improved air circulation, and the ability to prevent dust accumulation on the shelves. Because of this, it is ideal for storage of items for which air circulation and cleanliness is important, such as food and electronics. With storage capacities of 600-800 lbs., wire shelving is also suitable for heavy-duty applications.

Industrial Steel Shelving

Industrial steel shelving is comprised of steel panels that are attached to steel posts and are often adjustable. It is available in various configurations, such as open or closed designs. Open steel shelving allows easy access and visibility from all sides, while closed steel shelving provides additional stability and protection for stored items.

Industrial steel shelving can be utilized as a single level or multilevel system. Multi-level systems are typically designed with two or three levels and are an ideal way to maximize vertical storage space. Steel shelving can also be outfitted with bins or drawers for organizing inventory.

Because of it’s durability, steel shelving is ideal for storing bulky or weighty inventory, such as machinery parts and tools.

Gravity Flow Shelving and Slanted Shelving

Gravity flow shelving uses inclined shelves equipped with rollers or wheels to allow cartons to flow from the back to the front. Once the front carton is picked, the remaining cartons automatically glide to the front, making it a first-in, first-out shelving option. This streamlines operations by reducing the need for manual handling of items. It is available in many widths, lengths, and load capacities. It offers such features as rollers, dividers, entry guides, entry stops, bins, and casters. Gravity flow shelving is ideal for storing date sensitive materials, small parts, and retail applications.

Slanted shelving, also known as tilted or angled shelving, is designed with shelves that are inclined at an angle. Bins are typically placed on the shelves to hold the products. This design allows items stored in the bins to move forward via gravity, making them more visible and easier to access. Slanted shelving can be fitted with casters for easy mobility throughout the warehouse. Slanted shelving is ideal for small parts storage and piece picking.

Mobile Shelving

Mobile shelving is mounted on tracks or wheels, allowing the units to move along a fixed path. This design enables multiple shelving units to be compacted together when not in use, which significantly reduces the amount of floor space required compared to traditional static shelving. When access to a specific section is needed, the units can be easily moved apart via a hand crank or electronic panel to create an aisle.

Mobile shelving is best used for storing products that are not constantly being picked, since time will be required to access each aisle. It is ideal for smaller spaces that must store many items, such as retail backrooms and archive storage facilities.

Update Your Warehouse with a Shelving System from REB Storage Systems

REB Storage Systems International offers standard and customized shelving options nationwide. Our project management and project design teams are trusted professionals who will work with you every step of the way; from designing the optimal storage solution for your needs, managing subcontractors, shipping coordination, installation and final permitting. After your system is complete, we can recommend ideal material handling products that will help your operation run more efficiently.

For advice on which is the best industrial warehouse shelving option is right for your storage needs, simply submit a form on this page or give us a call at (800) 252-5955.