Whether it’s a large warehouse or a small distribution centre, the value of the storage system or solution remains vital. A proper storage solution can help elevate the activities of the warehouse by improving efficiency, control, accuracy, improved inventory, and more. However, as brainstorming as this may be, figuring out the right storage solution is time and cost-consuming.
One can try several storage solutions, but the two main outstanding ones are shelving and racking systems. While most people usually confuse the two to mean the same thing, they have distinctive differences in functionality and benefits they can bring to a warehouse, which is why it’s best to understand their differences.
What Is Industrial Pallet Racking?
It’s one of the most popular storage solutions in warehouses used to optimise space. It is best suited for heavier products that need lifting using forklifts or other industrial lifting equipment for movement throughout the warehouse. The racking system allows for a smaller space to try to fit as many products as possible while making these units accessible for easy processing.
Industrial racking systems are deeper and can stack more products vertically higher than the shelves. It’s the best storage solution for heavier or high-strength products. Additionally, racking systems come in various types, but the most common ones are:
· Drive-in & Drive-thru pallet racking
This pallet racking is ideal for products of the same weight and size. With this system, everything is easily movable, which helps eliminate the need for aisles to make it easy for the forklifts to handle their job. Drive-in racking provides the most depth storage area, both front and back, except it only has a single entry and exit opening. For the drive-thru, there are two openings to make it easy for the forklifts to come in, get the load and leave the other way eliminating potential collisions and improving efficiency.
· Selective pallet racking
This kind of racking comes in various heights and sizes and has the best design to help get the pallets off the floor and into the racks. It’s flexible, so you can easily configure it to suit any changes, needs, or budget in a warehouse. Through appearance, selective racking looks like huge adjustable bookshelves.
· Pallet Flow Racking
This racking system uses gravity rollers to help automate pallet storage. They are the best for improving inventory and the best for products with sensitive expiration dates and needing heavy freezing. The best part with these is that it automatically rotates once the load goes in.
What Is Industrial Shelving?
These are like any other shelves, purpose-built for industrial use and to hold items within warehouses or storage facilities. It’s ideal for lightweight products and doesn’t need reaching with forklifts. In addition, these shelves come with some features like dividers for drawers to help make storage easier for different products.
Also Read: How To Keep Your Pallet Racking Damage-Free?
Like the pallet racking system, shelving also comes in various types that can help maximise the storage space in a warehouse while also improving efficiency and saving time and cost.
· Rivet Shelving
It’s one of the most versatile and durable storage solutions and is easily adjustable to fit any size. Moreover, it’s cost-effective, durable, and the most economical type of shelving. Apart from saving costs, they are easy to assemble and come with no bolts, which is why sometimes they are referred to as boltless shelves.
· Steel shelving
Steel shelving is easy to assemble, durable, and maintain, in addition to being the most versatile and adjustable in height. They come with bolts and different gauges. Steel shelving can be closed or opened, depending on the kinds of products the warehouse handles. The open shelving is ideal as it connects several shelving units easily using extended support braces to create large shelving.
· Wire Shelving
These are less popular than the rest, but they are the best choice for products that need adequate ventilation to sustain shelf life. They are also suited for warehouse storage because they provide ease of visual access. Other types of shelving include clipless shelving and bulk rack shelving.
The Difference Between Shelving And Racking
After understanding these storage solutions, their types, and what they can offer in terms of efficiency and accessibility, it’s now easier to identify how different they are. Shelving involves putting things in bookshelf-like storage that is easy to retrieve by hand. While racking involves stacking goods with pallets and using warehouse equipment like forklifts to retrieve them. Shelving is smaller than racking as they only store lightweight products.
Also Read: Emerging Warehouse Design Trends Driving Innovation in System
Industrial racking and shelving are ideal storage solutions for warehouses, storage facilities, or small businesses. However, warehouses constantly need to maximise their storage solutions, and a mixture of both can help curb this problem and manage storage efficiently.