What is warehouse shelving vs racking?

Warehouse shelving and racking are two different storage systems commonly used in warehouses and distribution centers. Here’s an explanation of each:

Warehouse Shelving: Warehouse shelving refers to a system of shelves or racks that are designed to store smaller items or products. It is typically used for storing items that are manually picked or accessed. Warehouse shelving units are usually made of metal and can come in various configurations, such as boltless shelving, wire shelving, or industrial-grade steel shelving. They are often adjustable, allowing for flexibility in shelf height and configuration to accommodate different product sizes. Warehouse shelving is suitable for organizing and storing smaller items, such as boxes, cartons, tools, spare parts, or smaller packaged goods.

Warehouse Racking: Warehouse racking, also known as pallet racking, is a system specifically designed to store palletized goods. It is used for storing larger and heavier items that are typically loaded onto pallets and require the use of forklifts or other material handling equipment for movement. Warehouse racking systems are made up of vertical upright frames and horizontal load beams that create multiple levels or tiers of storage. The pallets are placed on these horizontal beams and can be accessed using forklifts or pallet jacks. Warehouse racking allows for efficient use of vertical space and facilitates easy loading and unloading of palletized goods. There are different types of warehouse racking systems, including selective racking, drive-in racking, push-back racking, and pallet flow racking, each designed to meet specific storage requirements.

In summary, warehouse shelving is used for smaller items and provides easy manual access, while warehouse racking is designed for larger, palletized goods and requires the use of material handling equipment for handling and retrieval. The choice between warehouse shelving and racking depends on the type of products, storage density, accessibility needs, and overall warehouse layout and operations.