Automotive parts come in so many different shapes and sizes and can present a challenge to store. Furthermore, each automotive business has its own unique needs; whether they sell to other businesses, direct to customers, or offer services. A well-designed space with effective storage and stock management solutions can exceedingly improve your operation’s efficiency while protecting your products from damage. Automotive racking and shelving systems should be designed with an automotive business’s needs in mind. They should help save space and make storage and retrieval easier. Your first step in building an effective automotive racking and shelving system is to identify the needs of your operation and come up with a layout.
Basics of Design
Here are a few design basics to consider when coming up with a layout for your automotive racking and shelving system:
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Objectives: First, identify what you’re trying to accomplish with a new racking and shelving system. Are you trying to make your processes faster? Is easy retrieval a priority? Or are you trying to create better retail displays for your customers? Asking yourself these questions will help you determine the needs of your business and help with the design process.
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Space: Consider where the racking and shelving system will be installed. The size of the room, ceiling heights, and any building structures that may create obstacles should be carefully considered before ordering any storage units.
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Application: For some businesses having shelving installed against walls is the best way to keep them out of the way of employees, where others may need access from all sides. Consider how the shelves will be accessed, loaded, and unloaded before deciding where to place them. You may also use shelving to create aisles and rows to separate different areas and improve your storage density if that is something that your business could benefit from.
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Flow: Each business has a unique flow. Think about how goods are handled in your business. Your goal should be to minimize the handling by workers and have a setup where things can be moved quickly. Making sure that each processing area is accessible to the next will improve your efficiency significantly.
Once you have a better idea of layout and design, then you can select from the different types of shelving solutions that will best fit your needs. Here are some examples to consider:
Different Types of Shelving Solutions for the Automotive Industry
Cantilever Rack
Cantilever racking is a storage system that is most commonly used to store long and unconventionally shaped items, as well as cylindrical items such as wiring and tubing. A cantilever rack has three parts: the uprights, arms, and braces.
One of the best things about cantilever rack is its flexibility. These systems can easily be customized to fit your needs while offering heavy-duty capacity. Cantilever rack is ideal for storing many different automotive parts such as prop shafts, fenders, cables, wires, and trims.
Pallet Rack
Pallet rack is a very versatile storage system that is used in many industries. A basic pallet rack system has the uprights and beams, as well as a base for the shelves such as wire decking or pallet supports. Although it’s great for storing palletized goods, pallet rack offers so much more than that. Pallet rack is great for storing heavy and bulky items. It can also be customized with different accessories to accommodate products of many different shapes and sizes, and can even be turned into retail displays for direct-to-consumer sales. Here are a few accessories that you can use to create better storage for your products:
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Wire mesh dividers are a great way to separate pallet rack bays and create more storage density. They hang from the wire decking above and fit securely into the decking in the rack below. They are easy to install by clipping into the wire rack above and can easily be relocated.
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M-dividers act as a separator for bulky and tall products such as car doors and hoods. They bolt to the three teardrop beams at the back of the bay and provide customizable storage options for your pallet bays. The “M” shape of the divider helps maximize the support of bulky items to prevent them from falling over and getting damaged.
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V-dividers are used to separate large and bulky products that are stored vertically within a bay. They work well for longer items such as bumpers. They bolt to the teardrop beams of the shelf above and provide customizable storage options for your pallet rack shelves.
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Divider arms are used to separate vertically stored products. They bolt to a teardrop beam at the back of the pallet rack and can be attached at any desired level, and provide customizable storage options for products of different sizes. They work well to separate items such as tools and conduits, and also work for hanging items.
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Reel holders attach directly onto the uprights of the pallet rack on both sides of the bay. A rod is hung between the holders to store products such as reels and spools in the pallet rack.
Industrial Shelving Systems
Industrial shelving systems are great for storing items of various sizes from small to large and make retrieval easier in settings where easy access is important. They also make a lower cost and easy-to-assemble alternative to other systems such as pallet rack. All of these systems have a similar built with uprights, support beams, and shelves. However, they have key structural differences that make them better for certain applications.
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Rivet shelving utilizes teardrop holes where a pin is used to secure the shelves into the uprights. Rivet shelving has regularly punched holes in its uprights, which makes moving the shelves easier. It’s great for fast-access storage solutions that require medium to heavy loads when pallet racking is not an option.
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Clip shelving uses clips to secure the shelves to the uprights. It is made entirely of steel and is perfect for heavy-duty storage, as well as the storage of chemicals and corrosive materials such as batteries.
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Wide-span shelving is similar in design and application to rivet shelving but features larger shelves for the storage of bulkier items such as tires. The shelves are reinforced to withstand a 2,500 lbs load.
Bin & Shelving Systems
Bin and shelving systems combine a sturdy shelving system with the flexibility of plastic bins. Bin shelving can stand on a floor or attach to a wall, and can easily fit your layout. These systems are very customizable in size and are great for easy storage and retrieval of items such as nuts and bolts, and other small automotive parts. The bins make labeling and organizing easier for service businesses and can also be used for retail purposes.
Bin systems can also be added to your existing wide-span or rivet shelving to offer custom solutions to your needs.
The Benefits of Automotive Shelving & Storage Solutions
Purchasing automotive shelving and storage solutions is a cost-effective investment in your business. Here are the main benefits of having a more organized storage system:
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Having a more organized shop can free up space in your business and increase floor space. When everything has a designated area, you can focus on work instead of wasting time trying to find items.
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Creating safe, designated areas for high-value tools and products will reduce inventory loss. Products such as rack supported cages can protect your items from theft.
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Better storage will increase your storage density and allow you to store more products.
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Having everything stored safely out of the way will reduce workplace injuries and inventory damage.
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An effective storage system means faster workflow and lower labor costs for your business while being able to serve customers more efficiently.
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Inventory management is easier with labeled storage areas and designated storage systems. You can perform better inventory management when you know where each item is located.
Do You Need Help Designing an Effective Automotive Racking & Shelving System?
American Storage and Logistics has been a leader in new, used, and refurbished warehouse and industrial equipment for over 50 years. We provide design, engineering, and consulting services for businesses. Give us a call at 616-246-9800 to speak with a sales engineer.
Visit our website for a full inventory of racking and shelving systems and accessories that are ready to ship. We offer same-day pickup or next-day delivery to the mid-Michigan areas, including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo.
