In theory, if a container which is proportionally balanced then it may be stored on an industrial shelf. As long as the object or contained has a flat surface on the bottom, and then it can balance easily on the shelf which is supporting it. Round containers can also be stored on industrial shelving units as long as they have a diameter on either end which will allow the cylinder to rest safely on its end.

Industrial shelving can come in a variety of sizes, builds and weight capacities which can accommodate many different environments which are found in factory settings, or warehouses. Lighter weight shelving units are mostly used within offices, but heavy duty units are often used in shipping and receiving and automotive industries. Industrial shelving will pay for its self because it has lots of benefits which will bring a return upon investment. If you convert unused space into storage space then this will help to reduce the chances of a company spending money on relocations or expansions. Industrial shelving can also make it easier for workers to get to supplies which also help the speed process.

Various sizes of industrial shelving units are often used within specific places and the strength of the unit will often determine what can be stored upon it. 18-20 gauge closed back industrial units can support up to 450 pounds and are often used for the storing of boxes in stockrooms. Smaller versions of these are mostly used for office workers to store materials, supplies, tools and paperwork which can be spread along the entirety of a wall space. Bigger industrial shelving units are used for heavy duty storage and can often be found linked as a boxed shelf system which can support 2000 pounds.

Keep three things in mind when choosing industrial shelving

1. The number one priority is safety. When it comes to heavy and large items you should order shelving with a weight capacity which exceeds the weight of the items you will be storing on them. You should never over load new shelving systems because a worker might not know that a shelf is holding all that it can and might add additional weight beyond the limits of safety.
2. You should next consider accessibility. If employees need to get to items from only the front of the shelf, then you should consider closed backed shelving because this offers a sturdy design which if built for security and stability, the units can even be locked off at night. If the items you are storing aren’t sensitive or if employees need to get to them from all angles, then open ended units work best.
3. Thirdly, you should keep in mind perspective. The dimensions of the shelving units are not indicators of actual usable storage space and you should make sure that every cubic inch helps to pay back your investment. Speak to your material handling specialist about available storage space, accessibility and weight capacity.