Maximizing space in small warehouses takes a little bit of creativity and a lot of advanced planning. As your organization continues to grow and evolve, however, it can be harder to predict the amount of space and the type of configuration that you’re going to need.
Warehouse organization and planning should take these inevitable changes into account from the get-go. Heavy-duty, modular, and fully customizable industrial shelving systems can improve space efficiency, product accessibility, and productivity in warehouses for small- and medium-sized businesses.
How Industrial Shelving Can Improve Your Warehouse
Industrial shelving systems for small warehouses give you a lot of wiggle room to configure your storage units in the way that makes the most sense. You can adjust them according to the height, shape, and size of your inventory. They’re also made out of extremely sturdy materials like wood or metal that can be bolted down to the ground for stability or placed on wheels for easy mobility. Here are some of the benefits of installing industrial shelving systems for your warehouse.
Cost-Effective Solution
Industrial shelving systems are extremely durable and can withstand all kinds of usage and environmental conditions. This means they don’t have to be replaced or repaired very often and will last a long time, which saves your business a lot of money in the long run. With routine safety inspections and maintenance, you can further extend the lifespan and reduce the number of repairs that need to be made.
Durable
Made of sturdy materials like steel and wood, industrial shelving systems boast unparalleled durability. These structures are specifically designed to withstand regular wear and tear that’s common in industrial environments like warehouses where they’ll constantly come in contact with various types of inventory, pallet racks, and material handling equipment. Industrial shelving units typically have sturdy metal posts that secure them in place and prevent them from moving. Scratch-resistant industrial paint is also used on their facade to keep your shelving units looking new for as long as possible.
Easy to Customize
Industrial shelving systems are adjustable and flexible enough to customize them in whatever ways make sense for your storage requirements. The shelves can be moved up or down to accommodate large and small inventory items. You can also install drawer inserts and dividers to organize smaller materials, tools, screws, and additional accessories.
Maximize Space in Small Warehouses
Warehouses with extremely limited space can benefit greatly from installing industrial shelving units. Space efficiency is important in all warehouses, but it’s an especially hot commodity in facilities with minimal square footage. The better organized your warehouse is, the easier it is to safely maneuver around on material handling equipment as well as locate and transport specific items.
Shelves can be installed at different heights on your existing pallet racking system without taking up any additional floor or wall space. Installing vertical shelving units also makes excellent use of additional upright space without occupying prime real estate on your pallet racking units. When the time comes to change up your storage configuration, the shelves can easily be adjusted or removed altogether to make room for larger products or increase your inventory volume.
Increases Safety Standards in Warehouse Operations
Worker safety is a top priority in warehouse facilities across Toronto and the GTA. Industrial shelving units that are affixed to the ground with large metal posts keep the structure from toppling over at the slightest impact from contact or while retrieving products. Moreover, the beams that are used to support the shelving units are also sturdy enough to support all types of even or uneven weight distribution and keep the entire structure steady at all times.
Ease of product accessibility offered by industrial shelving systems also reduces the risk of injury or muscle strain for employees. Products can be stored individually to be retrieved by hand or as a group on a pallet to be retrieved using a forklift or other material handling equipment. Either way, organizing stored materials makes the retrieval process a lot easier and safer for warehouse workers.
Improves Overall Warehouse Productivity
Warehouse productivity is another important consideration when choosing the ideal storage and shelving systems for your facility. Any new organizational system that you introduce into your warehouse facility should serve to improve productivity, not inhibit it.
Organizing items using various industrial shelving units has dual benefits. Not only does it make those items easier to find and waste less time for employees, but it also has the added bonus of increasing safety standards in the workplace. The less time employees spend wandering through aisles looking for certain items, the more time they can spend actually working.
A good rule of thumb is to place the more frequently used items on shelves that are within easy reach. Less frequently used items can be stored higher up because they’re not needed as often. Be sure to label all shelves and drawers properly using a large and legible font.
Easy Assembly and Versatility
The assembly and installation process for industrial shelving systems is extremely quick and easy. Very few tools and materials are needed to put these versatile storage units together, which means you can get them up and running in a matter of a few hours. In fact, industrial shelving systems typically come with most of the materials needed to put them together. All you need to do is attach the rivets to one another and secure the posts in place to prevent them from shifting.
The great thing about industrial shelving systems is that the shelves can be adjusted upwards in 1.5” increments to accommodate larger pieces of inventory. Every time you need to store new items of various sizes, you can adjust the height of the shelving units. Moreover, the fast and easy installation process means that no downtime is needed to get the shelves ready for operation. Just be sure to test out their sturdiness before putting them to use.
Industrial Shelving Systems for Small Warehouses in Toronto and the GTA
When it comes to high-quality, sturdy, and reliable industrial shelving that perfectly complements your current or future warehouse storage configuration, there’s no better supplier than Canadian Rack Technologies Inc. We offer affordable and feasible warehouse storage solutions for businesses of all sizes across Toronto and the GTA. Choose from a long line of state-of-the-art and expertly engineered new or used pallet racking and industrial shelving systems that perfectly fit your needs and your warehouse layout. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
About: Kevin Ausman
Kevin Ausman is the founder of Canadian Rack Technologies. He has over 30 years of experience in providing safe and efficient turn-key storage solutions and he specializes in pallet racking, pick systems, industrial shelving, mezzanines, cantilever racks, and more. Kevin is dedicated to providing great customer service, listening to client’s needs, and supplying the best products available.