Warehouses are an integral part of every industrial application and their organization is also an essential aspect to look into. A well-organized warehouse offers ease of finding the stock and everything is easy to access when needed.
The process of organizing a warehouse becomes easy when you invest in the right tools, industrial shelving, and industrial racking are the two significant aspects that play a vital role in organizing a warehouse.
When choosing between the two of these storage solutions it is important to have an insight into their differences. So let’s delve into this guide and learn the difference between industrial shelving and industrial racking.
The Differences Between Industrial Shelving and Racking
Before getting into the detailed comparison, you can have a quick review of the table below to understand the key differences between industrial racking and industrial shelving.
| Feature | Industrial Shelving | Industrial Racking |
| Design and Structure | It has a flat and simple structure. | It comprises beams, uprights, and support, offering a complex layout. |
| Accessibility | Items are accessed easily. | Requires machinery like forklifts for access. |
| Weight Capacity | Can hold medium and lightweight items. | Can hold heavy-duty and bulky items. |
| Cost | Offers affordability. | Needs high investment. |
| Durability | Ideal for moderate use. | Suitable for heavy-duty use. |
| Customization | Modular and adjustable | Open to customization |
| Installation & Setup | Easy to install. | Requires professional installation. |
| Flexibility | Offers versatility. | Designed for specific storage. |
| Space Utilization | Uses floor space efficiently. | Uses the vertical space. |
| Common Applications | Suitable for retail and office applications. | Suitable for warehouses and industrial applications. |
| Safety Features | Comprises of basic safety features. | Equipped with advanced safety features. |
| Integration with Automation | Limited Automation. | Versatile automation |
Design and Structure
· Shelving:
Warehouse shelves consist of a simple design. Usually, the shelves have flat surfaces, and it is very easy to accommodate different things in them. The materials used in the construction of these shelves commonly consist of wood and metal, which makes them sturdy. The process of assembling shelves is also very straightforward and quick.
· Racking:
Palletized racking systems are widely popular for a warehouse, but they are complex and consist of beams, a support system, and uprights to ensure strength. These racking systems are made using heavy-duty materials for a durable structure. The layout and design of these racks are meant to hold heavy objects.
Weight Capacity
· Shelving:
The warehouse shelf is suitable for holding light to medium weight. Hence, smaller items are suitable to be stored in these. Hence, the weight capacity of these shelves varies between a few hundred to some thousands of pounds. These shelves are suitable for holding items that are not heavy-duty and need quick and frequent access.
· Racking:
The racking system, on the other hand, is meant to handle heavy loads and bulky products. They have the ability to support loads that range between thousands of pounds. Hence, due to their capability to handle heavy weights, they are suitable for warehouses and different industrial applications.
Accessibility and Mobility
· Shelving:
When it comes to shelf warehouses where manual picking is needed, they prove to be suitable as workers can easily retrieve the products using their hands. Hence, they are suitable for quick and frequent access. Moreover, the shelves are easy to move as well and offer a high level of flexibility.
· Racking:
Racking systems are suitable for high-density storage. Hence, they are accessed using forklifts. These pallet racking systems ensure that goods are managed in larger volumes, and since they are fixed to the floors, they are less flexible but very effective for systematic storage.
Flexibility and Customization
· Shelving:
Warehouse shelves are adjustable, and they can be modified in terms of height to meet storage needs. These shelves are even available as modular structures where they can fit in different spaces. There are various accessories that can be incorporated into the shelves like labels, dividers, and binds to make the most of organization.
· Racking:
The racking systems may vary in terms of their types; you can have selective pallet racking, drive-in racking, cantilever racking, and many more for different storage applications. The racking systems can be customized based on the different types and sizes catering to complex storage needs.
What Makes Industrial Shelving Unique?
There are multiple factors that make industrial shelving unique and some of these are as follows:
Versatility
Industrial shelving is known for its versatility, as they have the ability to cater to various environments. Whether chosen for offices, retail establishments, or warehouses, industrial shelving can meet diverse storage needs.
These shelves offer a very practical solution for product display and are also accessible when opted for retail environments. Similarly, when it comes to offices these shelves can consist of store supplies and files so that the offices look clean and tidy.
Ease of Assembly
Shelves are known for their ease of assembly. These shelves are designed in a very user-friendly way and they offer easy installation. They are simple and accommodating enough for variable storage needs.
You can reconfigure them whenever needed without any professional help and these shelves are highly adaptable.
Cost-Effectiveness
The warehouse shelf also proves to be highly affordable when you compare it to the complex storage systems. This cost-effectiveness allows businesses with small and medium size to attain financial benefit.
These shelves are quite functional and robust along with being affordable. Hence, you can make the most of the storage space by staying within the limited budget.
What Is Unique About Racking
There are various unique features of a racking system, and some of these comprise the following:
High-Density Storage
Racking systems usually are known for their high-density storage, which enables the business to make the most of vertical space. These vertical racks store large quantities of items in a very small floor coverage. Hence, the warehouse can benefit from it. The items can be stacked vertically, and the physical storage area expands.
Durability and Strength
Racks are meant to handle heavy loads and withstand rigorous use; hence, they must be very strong. These racking systems are manufactured using heavy-duty steel, which can hold heavy loads without any hassle.
The strength of the racks helps to accommodate bulky items like machinery, heavy pipes, and much more. These racks are durable for industrial environments and offer consistent reliability.
Integration with Automated Systems
One of the most unique aspects of the racking systems is that they are compatible with automated systems, which include automated retrieval and conveyors. Such an integration ensures a seamless movement of goods in the warehouse.
Automated systems help with easy navigation to pick and place products, and the need for manual labor is reduced. These racking systems help streamline the storage and retrieval process and enhance the overall safety and productivity of the warehouse.
Which Kind of Racking or Shelving Is Right for You?
When deciding whether to opt for warehouse racking or shelving, some of the factors to consider are as follows:
Consideration Factors
· Load requirements
The selection of racking and shelving you are going to choose depends on the requirements of load. If you wish to store lighter-weight items, you can go for industrial shelving as it helps to handle medium loads and is a suitable choice for smaller objects.
Whereas, if you need to store bulky items, the racking system is a better option as it offers high load capacity and is durable. You need to assess the weight and size of the items while choosing the storage solution.
· Space constraints
Space is also a critical factor in the selection between racks and shelves. The shelves are suitable for areas where vertical space is limited and easy access to items is needed. These shelves can be configured in smaller areas and can be moved anytime when needed.
However, in the case of a racking system, the vertical space is well utilized; these are suitable for warehouses that have high ceilings and offer high-density storage by taking less floor space.
· Accessibility needs
The frequency of accessing the items is also considerable when choosing the type of storage system. Industrial shelving is suitable in cases where the items are manually accessed frequently, such as retail stores.
However, the racking systems, on the other hand, are suitable for environments where the access is dependent on machinery like forklifts. These are suitable for large warehouses where a large volume of items needs efficient storage.
· Budget considerations
Budget consideration plays a vital role when choosing the storage system. Shelving is a very affordable solution and hence suits small and medium-sized businesses. However, rack systems are expensive and offer a durable storage of heavy-duty items.
Industry-Specific Applications
The storage systems are also chosen based on the specific applications in the industry. You can take an example of the retail industry which makes the use of shelving units due to the versatile and accessible properties it possesses. The shelves can help display products in an organized way, and staff can easily take them out when needed.
However, the automobile industry requires a racking system as the parts of an automobile are heavy and need a heavy duty storage system. Pallet racking systems work well in an automobile industry, and large quantities of parts can be stored and accessed easily.
In logistics as well due to high-density storage, the pallet storage systems prove to be suitable. They offer quick storage and retrieval of goods and integrate into the automated system well.
The Benefits of Using Industrial Shelves or Racking
The use of industrial racks and shelves brings various benefits, some of these are as follows:
Increased Visibility
- Enhanced Inventory Management
The installed shelves and racks enhance inventory management magnificently. The layout of these storage systems ensures easy tracking of the stock, and the inventory records can be maintained accurately. They even help in the immediate identification of the items.
- Reduced Search Time
The installation of racks and shelves helps to reduce search time for the items in the warehouse as everything is streamlined. The items in the stock can be categorized and labeled, which helps the employees locate them quickly and retrieve them.
This leads to added efficiency in operations and the productivity of employees increases. These storage solutions help to restock and pick for the items by reducing time and effort.
Improved Organization
- Systematic Storage
Industrial racking systems and shelves offer a systematic storage process. The structured layout added in the warehouse helps to arrange the items in categories, keeping size, weight, and type as criteria for arrangement, making access to them easier.
- Improved Workflow
The workflow in different applications of the industry tends to improve with the help of racks and shelves. They offer an organized storage system where the time searching for products is saved, and along with speeding up the search process it even ensures accuracy of picking the order. This leads to improved workflow and a high productivity level is achieved.
Enhanced Safety
- Stability and Durability
Warehouse shelves and racks are highly durable and ensure stable and safe storage which reduces the accident risks. When the installation of these systems is carried out properly and the stability is maintained, the chances of falling and collapsing are reduced. It leads to a safe working environment for the employees.
- Compliance with Safety Standards
Warehouse shelving and racking help the business comply with the industry regulations for meeting safety standards. These systems help to reduce workplace accidents by ensuring that the items are safely stored.
Maximized Space
- Vertical Space Utilization
The biggest advantage of vertical racks is that they help to maximize the vertical space. The floor space in the warehouse is used in an efficient way and the storage capacity can be increased through these racking systems.
- Flexible Configurations
Racks and shelves can both be customized to fit any type of space and requirements. You can opt for multi-tier as well as mobile shelves and they can be configured with the changing business needs. Hence, such flexibility helps to meet the evolving demands of a business as it expands and grows.
Cost-Effective
- Long-Term Savings
By investing in a durable racking system or shelves, you can have long-term savings. The system of storage, when robust, leads to less maintenance and, hence, the lifespan of these storage systems. Hence, there is no need for replacements and repairs frequently, leading to long-term savings.
- Optimized Inventory Levels
If the inventory is well organized, the level of inventory can be optimized at a glance. Hence, the chances of overstocking and stockouts could be minimized, and this leads to ensuring a reduction in wastage. It also helps to maintain the right inventory levels.
Versatility
- Adaptable to Different Environments
The pallet storage systems are equipped with versatility and can adapt to multiple industries. They are suitable for retail, healthcare, and even manufacturing. They are also equipped with specialized features like climate control, chemical resistance, and much more. Hence, they can adapt to various environments.
- Scalability
These storage systems are scalable, and when needed in the future, they can be expanded to meet the growing needs of a business.
Increased Productivity
- Efficient Use of Resources
When used efficiently, these racking and shelving systems offer productivity as the process of picking, packing, and shopping are all streamlined. The management of inventory is done with the least effort and everything is well organized leading to high operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Accessibility
A suitable system of storage will always offer quick access to frequently demanded items. These storage systems are even designed to offer quick access to the products that are high in demand. When it comes to racking systems, automated racks also speed up the storage and retrieval process.
Aesthetic and Professional Appearance
- Organized and Clean Look
When you have the inventory properly organized, the warehouse gives a neat and clean look, which gives a professional impression. Especially in retail setups, when you have customers walking into the store, a well-organized store always gives them a positive brand image.
- Customizable Design
These storage systems can be customized based on the different colors and finishes, and you can also have them featured with your brand identity. Hence, you can always add some visual aesthetics that not only meet the functional storage needs but also give your space an uplifted appearance.
Environmental Benefits
- Sustainable Materials
Most of the materials used in shelves and racks are equipped with eco-friendliness. These materials, when used for the manufacturing of the storage systems promote sustainability and help reduce environmental footprint.
- Energy Efficiency
Storage layout can be optimized in a way which helps in managing the cooling, heating and lighting needs. A well-organized system of storage contributes to an improved energy management and leads to reducing the energy consumption.
Better Utilization of Labor
- Reduced Manual Handling
The industrial racking and shelving systems reduce the burden on laborers by eliminating the manual handling of the products. A well managed and easily accessible storage is attained and easy to retrieve and store process takes a lead.
- Automated Options
Racking systems can be equipped with automation like automatic retrieval and conveyors. It leads to reducing the dependency on labor and enhances the overall productivity of a business.
Choosing the Right Type of Shelf or Rack for Your Needs
The selection of right type of storage solution is very important and it is based on your needs, some of the aspects you must assess in this case are as follows:
Assessing Your Requirements
· Load-bearing capacity
The major consideration you should have in the first place while choosing a racking and shelving system is the load bearing capacity. You must assess what are your requirements for the load and according to that choose the storage system. Shelves are suitable for lighter loads and racking systems are capable of handling heavy loads.
Hence the assessment of the weight of items you will be storing is very important and must be kept in consideration when you decide between the type of storage system.
· Frequency of access
The frequency of accessing items is also an assessment to make. In situations when the items need frequency access like a retail environment you can go for shelves. However, if you have items in high volume with less frequency of access then racking systems are suitable.
· Type of goods stored
The types of goods you plan to store on the storage system plays a vital role in their selection. The industrial shelving being a versatile form of storage helps to accommodate diversified items which comprises tools, supplies and small parts. It is also suitable for the purposes of display.
However, the racking system on the other hand is suitable for keeping heavy and bulky items. You can even choose special types of racking systems which includes drive-in racks, palletized racking and much more based on your storage requirements.
Consulting with Experts
When selecting a storage system it is very important to take expert advice. They can offer you a relevant storage solution based on your requirements by evaluating the space availability and the nature of products you have to store.
Hence, by taking expert opinion you can have your shelving and racking systems customized which ensure an optimized storage and helps to improve your workflow as well.The customization of the storage system leads to meeting the load capacity, specialized storage for materials which are hazardous and other specialized needs. Apart from this they also offer efficiency by making the storage system scalable in future.
Conclusion
The significance of selecting the right type of storage system can never be disregarded. Hence if you are in search of expert advice to help you select the right type of storage system you can get in touch with Mracking.
Mracking is one of the leading racking manufacturers offering customized storage solutions. You can have your warehouse storage rack customized based on their recommendations and expert advice ensuring to offer you with optimal space utilization and improved workflow.
