Metal Storage Shelving

By Camille Howe

Metal storage shelving helps make industrial facilities of all kinds safer, more organized, and more efficient in terms of time and production. Metal storage shelving can be obtained in a wide variety of steel wire gauges and designs intended to accommodate everything from small storage areas to large, heavy duty shipping and receiving facilities. Investing in the right steel shelving system often makes the difference between meeting budget and going in the hole. Poor organization that results in a slowdown in production can quickly add up to costly overtime hours, lost contracts, or even worker injuries. An investment now in metal storage shelves may also convert enough unused space into usable storage areas and eliminate the need for relocation and create a safer overall environment to operate in.

Closed metal storage shelving is sealed off by panels on the sides and the back of the unit. It offers the security of a cabinet with much more weight capacity. Closed metal storage shelves can be folded together and locked for security, or they can be opened flat and placed against the wall. The sturdy steel construction makes it possible for these units to safely organize and support 450lbs of materials.

Closed Shelf units are found in factories, storage rooms, warehouse floors, and even offices. Some companies convert shelves into bins by adding vertical sections. Assembly lines will do this where workers need access to small parts that are efficiently organized and easily retrievable. 10 gauge metal storage shelving is most frequently used in office environments and for light storage in back rooms. Heavier, 20 gauge steel closed shelves are used to store small and medium sized crates and other heavy materials.

Open metal shelving brings two very important benefits to cramped facilities. Because they are generally taller than they are wide, open backed shelves can be placed in narrow quarters and convert unused vertical space into storage space. Because they have not back or side panels, they can be accessed from any direction.

Although they may not appear as strong as closed backed units, 20 gauge open metal storage shelves are quite capable of handling a lot of material. They can easily support up to 450 pounds in weight. 20 gauge steel shelves are ideal material handling tools to invest in if you need to reorganize and reconsolidate your storage areas. Smaller gauge steel units can be ordered as well. They are ideal for parts storage, lighter materials and boxes, and even paperwork and office supplies for indoor storage environments.

Wide span or long span metal shelving is also called industrial strength shelving because it is designed to accommodate extremely heavy tools, large containers, and large components. Some wide span units are so large they can convert an entire wall into highly efficient compartmentalized storage space. Long span shelving units can be ordered in sizes measuring up to 24-gauge and offer industrial clients a reliable method of storing motor parts, construction materials, and tools. Because they are corrosion resistant, they are also extensively for chemical storage.

If you are organizing very light weight materials and need a shelf that does not require additional braces and supports, rivet shelving will get the job done at a minimal cost to your budget. These metal units are the least expensive storage shelves we carry, and, like open shelving, allow you to access material from all sides and do not use braces that could obstruct storage access.

Mezzanine systems are designed to convert vertical cube space into multiple floors within a facility that is facing an imminent move due to space restrictions. They commonly increase storage areas in warehouses by as much as 150%. Purchasing a mezzanine system is almost always less than that of a relo, and the installation of these systems causes much less downtime than having to move and set up shop in an entirely new location.

Metal pallet rack storage shelves have become standard to the world of industry because almost all raw materials and supplies are shipped in on pallets. Pallet racks save time and energy by making it possible to store the entire pallet rather than breaking it down and then having to figure out where to store the materials it contained. The man hours this saves companies is enormous, and can contribute significantly toward minimizing overhead and weekend catch-up work.

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