If you run a business that requires a lot of inventory, you know how important it is to have enough storage space. But how can you make the most of your warehouse space without compromising on efficiency, safety, and accessibility? The answer is warehouse shelving.
Warehouse shelving is a system of racks, shelves, and bins that allows you to organize your products and materials in a way that maximizes your available floor and vertical space. Warehouse shelving can also help you improve your workflow, reduce clutter and damage, and enhance your inventory management.
But not all warehouse shelving systems are created equal. Depending on your industry, product type, warehouse size, and layout, you may need different types of shelving to suit your specific needs. In this blog post, we will guide you through the main types of warehouse shelving available in UAE and how to choose the best one for your business.
There are many types of warehouse shelving systems in the UAE, but here are some of the most common ones:
- Pallet racking: This is the most widely used type of warehouse shelving, especially for large and heavy items. Pallet racking consists of horizontal beams and vertical frames that support pallets of goods. Pallet racking can be configured in different ways, such as selective, drive-in, drive-through, push-back, and gravity flow, depending on your loading and unloading requirements.
- Cantilever racking: This is a type of warehouse shelving that is ideal for long and bulky items, such as pipes, lumber, and furniture. Cantilever racking consists of vertical columns and horizontal arms that extend outwards to hold the items. Cantilever racking can be single-sided or double-sided, depending on your available space and access needs.
- Boltless shelving: This is a type of warehouse shelving that is easy to assemble and adjust, without the need for bolts or screws. Boltless shelving consists of metal posts and shelves that are connected by clips or rivets. Boltless shelving is suitable for light to medium-weight items, such as boxes, bins, and small parts.
- Wire shelving: This is a type of warehouse shelving that is made of metal wires that form a mesh-like structure. Wire shelving is lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant. Wire shelving is ideal for storing items that need ventilation, such as food, beverages, and chemicals.
- Mobile shelving: This is a type of warehouse shelving that is mounted on rails or wheels that allow it to move along the floor. Mobile shelving can help you save space by eliminating the need for aisles between shelves. Mobile shelving can be manual or electric, depending on your preference and budget.
When choosing the best warehouse shelving system for your business, you should consider the following factors:
- Your product characteristics: You should consider the size, weight, shape, and quantity of your products and how they are packaged and handled. For example, if you have large and heavy items, you may need pallet racking or cantilever racking. If you have small and light items, you may need boltless shelving or wire shelving.
- Your warehouse layout: You should consider the dimensions, shape, and design of your warehouse space and how it affects your storage capacity and accessibility. For example, if you have a narrow or irregular-shaped warehouse, you may need mobile shelving or selective pallet racking. If you have a high-ceilinged warehouse, you may need gravity flow pallet racking or double-sided cantilever racking.
- Your operational requirements: You should consider how often you need to access your products and how fast you need to load and unload them. For example, if you have a high turnover rate or a first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory system, you may need drive-in or drive-through pallet racking or wire shelving. If you have a low turnover rate or a last-in first-out (LIFO) inventory system, you may need push-back or gravity flow pallet racking or boltless shelving.
- Your budget: You should consider how much you are willing to spend on your warehouse storage racking in Dubai and how it affects your return on investment (ROI). For example, if you have a limited budget or a short-term storage need, you may need boltless shelving or wire shelving. If you have a large budget or a long-term storage need, you may need pallet racking or cantilever racking.
Conclusion
Warehouse shelving is an essential component of any successful business that deals with inventory. Warehouse shelving can help you optimize your storage space.
