Steel Shelving Makes Organization Quick And Easy

By Andrea Davidson


The organization that you have been looking for, in your plant, is made easier when you have a shelving system that works the way it should. The racking systems that have been in your plant may be old and worn out. They may have been there for a while and stained or dirty. All of this can be all but eliminated when you look into a steel shelving system.

Wood shelving, in order to hold as much as possible, will need to have cross rigging to make it structurally sound. This prevents adequate planning and access that must be had when you are talking about moving things on and off efficiently. They are also not cleanable and must be painted and then will allow stains to bleed through quickly.

The durability of steel for this type of storage has to be looked into. There are any number of configurations that are designed into these units. There are many different surfaces and looks and the colors can be anything that fits into the area. They can be as colorful or as muted as they need to be.

The standard racking systems have either an open or a closed configuration. The open one will allow the most flexibility as the material handlers can remove or place items in the spaces from the front or the back. This is especially helpful if this space is on the aisle as this allows three way manipulation. Rotating stock is easier with this type of system and a multiple item storage system can be utilized.

When looking at a closed system, the only way to place or remove material is through the front. These systems will have back braces, either through an attached cross brace or bars attached to all but the one side. This does make the racking unit a bit stronger, however, if that is the only concern, there are other ways to accomplish this.

Organization depends on having everything you need where you need it. The strength of this shelving depends on the ability to withstand the weight and stresses it is subjected to. That strength is largely dependent on the gauge of the steel used and the design of them. The professionals who will design and installed your racking systems will be able to recommend the appropriate thickness and quality.

Most heavy duty shelving, made from steel, use the 18 to 20 gauge material. This has been identified as being the easiest to work with and will withstand the abuse these units sometimes get. The placement of these shelves, as self standing units, will also fare well when moved to obtain the best work flow during that next reorganization.

The various ways that steel shelving assist in maintaining order and organization is paramount. The ability to have everything where it is needed to be can make or break a process or schedule considerations. The companies who do this design and installation work will make suggestions and they should be considered as the thoughtful, scientific input they are.




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