If you’re a warehouse or business manager and are interested in optimising your storage solutions, you’re in the right place. First, we’ll compare the three most common warehouse storage solutions: longspan shelving, pallet racking and cantilever racking. We’ve broken down their advantages and disadvantages and have three tips for choosing the best warehouse storage solution — or if you’re looking for storage for your:
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Okay; let’s look at the three most common types of industrial shelving:
Longspan shelving is a type of warehouse shelf that is designed for storing cartons and small items for picking by hand.
Pallet racking, such as APEX Selective Pallet Racking, is a system designed to store palletised goods, typical in distribution centres or manufacturing.
Cantilever racking has no cross-bars and is best suited for industrial environments as they are specifically designed to store long and bulky items such as board, sheet metal or structural members etc.
Longspan shelving consists of uprights (frames), beams, and shelves that can be adjusted to fit the size and shape of the stored items.
The advantages of longspan shelving include:
However, there are also potential drawbacks to using longspan shelving:
Cantilever racking consists of a series of arms that are attached to vertical columns. The height of the arms are adjustable, allowing you to store items of varying lengths and sizes.
The advantages of cantilever shelving include:
However, there are also potential drawbacks to using cantilever shelving:
A pallet racking system can be configured to store goods on various pallet sizes, including Australian Standard (mm x mm, in various weight ratings), Export Standard (mm x mm), and Euro Pallets (mm x 800mm x 144mm).
The advantages of pallet racking include:
However, there are also potential drawbacks to using pallet racking:
When choosing a longspan system for your warehouse, there are several factors to consider. Height and depth is a big consideration, as longspan shelving can be purchased in 900mm, mm, mm, mm and mm — with mm available in Melbourne only.
Shelves are another consideration. At Global Industrial, you’ll find options for mesh decks, galvanised panels or particle board available in 460mm, 600mm and 900mm depths. The mm deep longspan shelving is only compatible with particle board.
Global Industrial longspan shelving is very easy to assemble and set up. In most cases the frames are pre-assembled for your convenience. Posts are punched with a 50mm pitch allowing for a shelf level to be moved if required.
Your storage layout will play a role in determining the best cantilever shelving system for your needs.
Inside or outside: Our standard blue and orange finish makes the arms stand out visibly as a safety feature for indoor storage. However for outdoors, the hot-dipped galvanised (HDG) finish would be a better option.
Ceiling height: Taller ceilings may allow for taller cantilever shelving systems, which can help maximise storage space.
Aisles: If you plan to use forklifts or other equipment to move products within your warehouse, make sure to choose a cantilever shelving system that allows for adequate aisle space.
Obstructions: Take into account any obstructions such as columns or irregularly shaped spaces that may affect the layout of your cantilever shelving system.
Choosing the right storage solution for your warehouse is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your operations. You’ll need to consider the size and weight of your products, the amount of floor space you have available, and the level of accessibility you require.
Longspan shelving is also referred to as Heavy Duty Shelving, Storage Shelving, Garage Shelving, Warehouse Shelving, Metal Shelving and many other variations.
Longspan or Long-span by definition means spanning a great distance. In the storage industry it means shelving units that can span a great length or have the capacity to be extended to great lengths. They are usually made of steel, timber or mesh, are strong and can hold heavy loads. Longspan shelving is very versatile and for this reason they are used for both domestic and commercial purposes. Long span shelving is adjustable and load-bearing meaning it can handle about any type of merchandise, stock, heavy tools or machinery parts you need to store. Long span shelving uses fewer columns or posts compared to other shelving systems, and gives workers easy access to picking goods. At MHA, we offer customers three types of Longspan material; mesh, steel or timber depending on their preference and particular requirements. The Longspan Shelving system we sell allows for the easy adjustment of storage heights and configurations as your requirements change; giving you a system that moves and changes with you. Longspan is equally suited for warehouse and office environments; effortlessly configurable for a various amount of differing applications such as low-level hand-loaded shelving, to high-rise systems.
Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving (with steel shelves)- This system is supplied standard with 3 adjustable shelves however extra shelf levels can be ordered for each set and comes standard with steel shelves (2 pieces per level). End frames are supplied assembled for quick and easy setup, saving yout time. This system is the ideal storage solution no matter what your needs, from storing house hold items to heavy cartons. It is fast and easy to assemble; it is a Modular Design with bolted frames and clip-in beams which require no special tools.
Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving (with Mesh Shelves)- The Stormax Longspan system is a heavy-duty system- similar to pallet racking just in a smaller profile. The advantage of mesh shelves over against timber or steel shelves is that they do not collect dust as easy which in turn, keeps things cleaner on the shelves. This system is supplied standard with 3 adjustable shelves however extra shelf levels can be ordered for each set. Comes standard with mesh shelves (2 pieces per level). End frames are supplied assembled for quick and easy setup. This system can be used not only in your workshop or warehouse but your garage also.
Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving (with Timber Shelves)- This heavy duty Longspan shelving system is a strong and multipurpose shelving structure which is good for any storage of small parts and archives. This system is complete standard with 3 adjustable shelves however extra shelf levels can be ordered for each set. The shelving comes standard with MDF timber shelves and end frames are supplied assembled for quick and easy setup. The timber material is quality and strong structure, allowing for heavier items to be stored on the shelves.
Each Longspan Shelving System MHA sell, comes with the option of purchasing add on bays as well. This allows you to add to your Longspan set, creating a system able to store more items. The option of purchasing extra shelves to suit the Longspan set is available also. This too, allows you to extend to your system and maximise your storage space. The mesh, steel and timber Longspan shelving sets come in a variety of sizes in order to cater to a variety of requirements. Each set provides the option of purchasing a castor kit, which makes the system mobile, making it easy to manoeuvre and transport tools from point a to b.
Whatever your storage need may be, and for whatever application- MHA can help, supplying you with three different types of Longspan shelving that each include sizing options as well as a castor kit.