Alternative to Warehouse Shelving

One of the primary reasons for having warehouses is to store things. In order to save money in warehousing you have to have efficient use of all the space available. So how the materials are stored makes a world of difference in the capacity of the warehouse’s use. Shelving directly affects that use of space.

• Within the actual shelving methods themselves there are many different types. One is known as cantilever pallet racks. These are for heavy, bulky and irregular types of merchandise such as furniture. They are assembled in sections and take heavy weight limits. The weight capacity is stamped on the metal parts of the racks.


• Another option would be the teardrop systems. They are called that due to the uprights have a tear shape and when used with safety locks they are very secure systems. Most generally they only need be checked for tightness once annually dependent on the weights involved and the use of the racks.


• Use of pallet flow racks would be another good shelving system. As the pullers remove a rack for shipment another just rolls into position from behind. To refill the racks they are put in from the rear to keep the supply line coming. A relatively new system becoming very popular is like this except it is called a push back racks and you reload from the front by pushing new pallets in from the front.


• There are also new systems that are being tried and show promise. Those would be order processing where the product is manufactured as orders come in. There is also voice pick and pack where the system is voice activated and gets automatically picked and packaged. Last would be the automated picking machines where the computer does everything. This is a rare system due to cost and smaller companies just cannot afford to go this route.