Shelving and Racking – Get the most out of your storage.
The importance of maximising every millimetre of shelving and racking cannot be underestimated.
Strange though it may sound many companies find it difficult to ensure stock is stored and managed in an efficient manner. The secret to maximising storage capacity is not in how much linear meterage you can achieve. It’s about looking at each part or product being stored and considering the best type and size of storage equipment required.
So here are our top tips for getting everything you can out of the shelving and racking that you have.
The storage of smaller items can always be tricky and there is the tendency to simply place them on the shelving systems. By using small parts containers you can quite literally double, treble or quadruple the capacity of your shelving systems by stacking containers on the existing shelves. In addition to all the extra locations provided, containers come with labelling facilities to improve stock placement, picking and replenishing.
Fixing metal dividers to shelving systems can not only stop products from naturally spreading, they can also be used to provide a clear order and natural positioning of products for effective storage.
Ok so it might sound totally obvious but so many companies are not maximising the height of their racking and shelving systems. Rather than designing the solution around the products being stored many clients opt for a standardised approach with every shelf being positioned at the same height in the belief that this will provide them with the most flexibility.
In fact this does the complete opposite. You should never have a standard height unless every product you are storing is the same – such as in an archive storage box. And even then make sure the height of the shelf is specified to be as tight as possible to the height of the box.
So get your tape measure out and measure the clear air space between the top of the products being stored and the bottom of the shelves or rack beams. If the total airspace is more than the height of a pallet or product, start looking at how you could install extra shelves or beams.
It is amazing how often you can walk into a warehouse facility and see 3 pallets in a bay where the system has been designed to accommodate 4 and on rare occasions even 5. Why let your fork lift truck driver dictate your capacity when you can use pallet guides to ensure pallets are placed exactly where they should be.
The automatic choice for storage is shelving and racking however by installing metal or plastic drawer systems you could create a perfect storage system which maximises capacity and minimises the floor space required. This could be as simple as individual shelf trays, divided in the depth to make 100% use of the entire shelf (if you are storing small items on the first 100mm or so of a 450mm deep shelf with nothing behind it, this is for you).
So remember, don’t get sucked in by standardising your shelving system or racking in the hope that it will save you money. A well designed system that is tailored round the products being stored will always be more effective and efficient than one that is focussed on capacity.
In the event that you are thinking about investing in racking and shelving systems, it is important to understand that these can be utilised for different types of storage needs. These systems will make it easier to maintain clean and organised warehouses, workshops and production areas, but even more to the point effectively provide additional floor space in workshops to improve overall production. Most of these units are generally available in kites and quite often can be delivered and assembled by the suppliers.
Shelves range from heavy duty storage and shelving to heavy duty racking, but you can find several manufacturers that will only concentrate on a specific kind. For example, some motorised tracking systems that will make it more possible for more streamlined storage with the use of mobile racking and shelving.
Industrial shelving could be classified as devices that provide much needed storage. These systems are generally units that are possibly floor mounted, freestanding or using several applications fastened to walls. Some of these include shelving systems, workstations and workbenches; all well suited for usage in many industrial sectors.
The majority of manufacturers often provide special bargains for numerous storage products if they are bought in bulk, so you can do some research to discover these deals. You will find that the shelving solutions normally come with 3 – 6 racks and are usually intended to support large amounts of weight, if possible up to 200kg to 600kg in each space.
Industrial shelving and racking systems are formulated and created to satisfy customers who are looking for solutions with top quality. As a result, these can be found in a variety of sizes in order to satisfy an array of requirements. Additionally, you can find several which are beautifully crafted and may be delivered either in galvanised or powder sprayed finish.
Some of the storage products on the market will be different in applications and usages. You can find bin shelving, steel shelving, wire display and shelving, bin storage cabinets, production line storage, pallet racking and mobile container storage.
Steel shelving can be used in several places such as industrial factories, schools, households and just about any place that requires storage solution. So, it is understandable that you will find a wide selection of sizes to target different requirements. Industrial types normally store bigger and heavier products because of the many requirements for more powerful and larger shelves.
It is possible to find these units with capacity to hold up to 3,000 pound on each shelf and will be made of thirteen gauge steel. Additionally, the bolt on shelving is generally utilised with heavy duty units or delivered welded together in order to allow for excessive durability.
There is also pallet racking storage that can make it possible for storing heavy materials on platforms and wooden mezzanine floors, horizontally and vertically to optimise storage space in warehouses. These are generally made up of heavy duty metal materials which allow it to store numerous heavy objects without having to worry about items falling or any goods getting damaged. Also, these shelves are manufactured to allow ease-of-use with forklifts when storing or getting pallets out of the unit.
It should never be forgotten that a warehouse, large or small, can be an extremely hazardous environment, it is in the best interests of management to take every precaution and put preventative measures in place to eliminate disaster.
No matter how robust well designed racking and shelving is, it cannot withstand the rigors of ongoing rack abuse by warehouse operatives.
In most instances the problems can be avoided if a few simple rules and regulations are followed. No matter how well a rack is designed there is no substitute for good driver training and reasonable operating practises.
No rack can withstand continual nudges, bumps or full impact from forklift trucks – no matter what speed they travel. Having frame post protectors and banner rails helps eliminate most damage of this nature but they cannot be expected to handle constant abuse. In this respect it is essential that warehouse management organise ongoing forklift truck driver training and insist on absolute minimum standards for performance from their staff.
The safety aspect of your racking cannot be emphasized enough. Warehouse managers should not change the levels of the load beams in their racking without first consulting the company who originally installed it. Racking should be designed to take heavy pallets on any level. Load warning notices are required for each rack but not always installed. Bumpers are also a requirement and should be placed in front of all fixed racking to prevent forklift damage.
Suppliers of Racking and Shelving in South Africa –
Acrow, Barpro Storage, EM Shelving & Racking, ESE Manufacturing, Krost Shelving and Racking, Linvar, and Palian to name but a few.
Acrow – is a name known throughout the world, and is one of South Africa’s largest storage and construction equipment manufacturers. They have been the pioneers of new ideas for reliable and efficient storage, materials handling and construction solutions since 1946.
Acrow focuses on warehouse design and turnkey projects by supplying racking, shelving, scaffolding, formwork, wire trunking, cable reticulation, and strut.
Barpro Storage is South Africa’s most trusted mobile racking and storage specialist, with over 25 years’ experience in ambient and cold storage applications in Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Mauritius.
Our Cape Town and Johannesburg branches service all areas, offering mobile and fixed storage system design, supply, installation, maintenance and repairs. We also repair non-STORAX mobile systems and consult on all storage-related issues. If we can’t help you ourselves, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.
Mobile Racking –
Mobile Racking is a high-density, electrically-operated storage system that can accommodate both conventional and unconventional racking. Appropriate for new and retrofitted ambient and cold-storage applications, Barpro mobile racking maximizes usable space by removing the need for multiple aisles, increasing vertical capacity, and providing 100% access to each and every pallet position.
Cape Racking & Shelving specializes in the planning, sales and installation of high quality new and reconditioned storage systems.
We also purchase / exchange good quality second hand shelving and racking
Our services include:
– Planning and design
– Shelving
– Racking
– New and second hand systems
– Warehouse relocation’s
– Repairs and maintenance
– Mesh and metal lockers
– Structural and rack based mezzanine floors
Our shelving/storage solutions include gondola shelving, nut & bolt shelving, mobile shelving, lockers, mesh lockers, cages and cabinets. We also offer light / medium / heavy / standard duty racking solutions, specialized racking, fencing and mezzanine flooring.
EM Shelving & Racking with over 20 years experience in materials handling specializes in planning, sale and installation of high quality new and reconditioned storage systems.
e also purchase or exchange good quality second hand shelving and racking. No storage problem or job is too big or too small. To discuss your specific needs and for a free quotation, simply give us a call.
- New Shelving & Racking
• Refurbished Shelving and Racking
• Repair and Maintenance, Valuation & Verification of Storage Systems
• Warehouse Moving
• New Metal and Mesh Lockers
• Steel Structure & Racking Based Mezzanine Flooring
• Retail Gondola Shelvingmoney & MAKING SPACE WORK FOR YOU!.
ESE Manufacturing is a proudly South African racking and shelving company established in 1998, by Mr Stanley Aucamp. With over 20 years of experience in Materials Handling and Storage Systems, ESE Manufacturing has the expertise to solve any storage requirements.
Product Range
Racking – Pallet Racking, Drive-in Racking, Drive through Racking, Live Racking, Cantilever Racking, Mini Racking, High-bay Racking, Racking Accessories
Shelving – Mobile Shelving, Bolted Shelving, Bolt-less Shelving, Wire Mesh Shelving, Gondola Shelving, Library Shelving, Office Shelving
Floors – Mezzanine Floors
Accessories – Lockers, Stationery Cabinets, Store Bins and Panels, Trolleys, Hand Rails, Turnstiles, Ladders
Krost Shelving and Racking suppliers of Quality Racking, Shelving, Mezzanine Floors & Storage Solutions
The shelving and racking solutions Krost offers are in a class of their own, accompanied by other services like mezzanine floors and lockers.
Racking
Selective Storage & Pallet Racking, VNA Racking (Very Narrow Aisle), Shuttle / Mole Racking, Catwalk / Pick Face Racking, Drive in / Drive Thru Racking, Carton Live / Flow Racking, Selective Storage Racking, Cantilever Racking, Rack Supported Mezzanine Floor
Shelving
Bolted Shelving, Rivet Shelving, Gondola Shelving, Library Shelving, Mobile Shelving, Warehouse Shelving
Linvar (Pty) Ltd – Southern Africa, is a locally-owned company that has been providing companies across South Africa and the continent with various warehouse and office storage solutions, for over 50 years.
Linvar prides itself on providing great products with exceptional service. Our team of professionals is available to all kinds of customers. Whether you’re a small business in need of innovative storage solutions or a have a warehouse with complex logistical requirements.
We also specialize in supplying and fitting factory, office and warehouse shelving, racking and mezzanine floors. Linvar provides a turnkey solution that includes planning, design and project implementation management.
We are also home to the world renown Linbin® the “original storage bin” that comes in 10 different colors and 7 different sizes and can be stacked or hung on a louvre panel it can also be fitted with a divider or lid making it the most versatile in the market.
Our Linbin® is also the only storage bin in the world that comes with a life-time guarantee making it the most trusted storage bin on the market.
Palian is proud to have developed the most advanced Racking manufacturing plant in the industry. With unrivalled capacity, efficiencies and quality control systems, our manufacturing plant ensures our promises are met and exceeded – time and again.
Today Palian Pty Ltd is the leader in manufacturing storage systems. Palian has assembled a team with the most extensive, reputable experience in the industry to grow Palian to the true leader in racking and shelving production and installations in South Africa.
RACKING SOLUTIONS
Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR), Narroe Aisle Racking, Mini Racking, Cantilever Racking, Radioshuttle Racking, Mobile Racking, Pushback Racking, Drive In/Through Racking, Pallet Live Storage, Carton Flow
SHELVING & MEZZANINE
Bolted Shelving, Boltless Shelving, Structural Mezzanine, Rack Supported Mezzanine, Multi-Tier Shelving System