Any business that deals with physical goods needs efficient and effective warehouse management to be successful. Storage is one of the most crucial components of warehouse management, and there are numerous varieties of racking and shelving options available.
Pallet Racking
The most popular kind of warehouse shelving and storage is pallet racking where its upright frames and horizontal beams combine to form levels of shelves that can accommodate pallets of merchandise. Pallet racking makes it simple for forklifts to access items in big warehouses with high ceilings. Pallet racking’s drawback is that it can be costly to install and takes up a lot of floor space.
Cantilever Racking
Similar to pallet racking, cantilever racking is made to hold long and heavy goods like pipes, wood, and steel. Arms on cantilever racking project from the upright frames, resulting in an open-fronted design that makes access to the items simple. Cantilever racking has the benefit of being perfect for storing products with uneven shapes, but it can take up a lot of floor area.
Carton Flow Racking
Carton flow racking is a type of shelving system that is designed for small and lightweight items such as boxes and cartons. It consists of a series of rollers that allow goods to flow towards the picking area, which makes it easier for warehouse workers to pick items quickly and efficiently. The advantage of carton flow racking is that it can increase picking productivity, but it requires a lot of maintenance.
Mezzanine Flooring
A storage solution called mezzanine flooring includes adding a second-floor level to a warehouse. It is perfect for warehouses that have unutilized space above the ground floor and high ceilings. There are several uses for mezzanine floors, including offices, storage rooms and picking areas. Mezzanine flooring has the benefit of utilising underused space, but installation can be pricey and may call for building permissions.
Mobile Shelving
A storage solution known as “mobile shelving” uses shelving units that are mounted on wheels or tracks to make moving objects easier. Due to its ability to reduce the amount of floor space needed for storage, mobile shelving is perfect for warehouses with limited floor space. Mobile shelving has the benefit of saving space, but it might be challenging to reach items in the centre of the unit.
Vertical Lift Modules
A vertical lift is used to retrieve items from a row of shelves in vertical lift modules (VLMs), a type of storage solution. VLMs are perfect for warehouses with little floor space since they can store a lot of items in a short amount of space. Although VLMs have the potential to improve picking efficiency, their installation and upkeep can be costly.
Choosing the right type of warehouse shelving and storage solution is crucial to the success of any warehouse operation. Each type of storage solution has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consider factors such as floor space, weight and size of goods, and picking efficiency when selecting a solution. With the right storage shelving in UAE from TopShelf, warehouse operations can run smoothly and efficiently, leading to increased productivity and profitability.
