Specialist Shelving – Getting your Storage Issues Under Control

If there’s one thing that drives storage managers up the wall, it’s specialized storage requirements. There’s always something, and it’s always a pest. Special items can take up a lot of space, too, creating a few other issues in reshuffling shelf space. Another regular nuisance are the small, bitsy, high volume/high turnover items which seem to infest storage space, making life difficult for inventory management and often providing “surprises” for audit trails. Finally, there’s a solution- The new modern shelving systems can deal with these things very cost-efficiently and simply, improving all aspects of management.

Specialist shelving needs, defined

Specialist shelving comes in a variety of forms, all needs-based:

• Component storage: The electronics industry, which mass produces a range of components of all shapes and sizes from hard drives to laptop parts, is the classic case of multiple storage requirements. For warehousing, this can be a true epic of space management. Dedicated adjustable shelving, preferably using automated picking and special containers, is best practice.

• Hardware storage: This type of storage material comes in so many different shapes and sizes it’s a mind-boggling situation. Anything from power tools to a range of garden fittings and other small, easily lost bits and pieces. The best shelving in this industry is a simple but clearly defined, well-organized shelving system which provides space control while ensuring easy handling.

• High turnover wholesale/ retail warehousing: This almost unbelievably busy environment has perhaps the most difficult task of all on a per item basis, keeping control of an inventory that literally never stops moving and creating space issues for warehouses. This is the environment where shelving systems providing maximum efficiency and automated handling are the keys to good management.

The ‘designer’ approach to shelving – Getting it right

Although the specific needs of any storage system can vary enormously, each of these basic scenarios, there’s one common denominator- Matching storage systems to the ongoing needs of the business. To do that effectively, best practice is to deploy versatile storage systems with design features which can both ensure efficient handling and deal with the stock control issues created by specialist needs simultaneously. 

This is where the new pallet racking systems come in to the picture. These systems are extremely adaptable. They’re modular systems with built-in adjustable storage management solutions, suitable for any warehousing or storage environment, and they’re great space managers. These are the new storage systems which started the big revolution in automated storage management. They’re computer designed and they have their own fast picking systems.

Whatever storage issues you may have, the pallet racks can handle it and provide immediate productivity benefits literally from day one. Specialist shelving is easy using these systems. You can deal with any type of storage issue quickly and efficiently whenever you get a new range of stock to handle. They’re also good for creating space availability, even in very high volume, high traffic storage areas. The pallet racks can be tailored to provide space and solve bulk management issues including palletized systems.