Industrial warehouse shelving is used in many different industries for the storage of goods. Warehouse industrial shelving can be found in retail, wholesale, and at food production facilities such as a bakery or meatpacking plant. When searching for industrial shelving, there are many different types and brands, you will want to choose racks or shelving that best fit your material handling needs.
We should also mention the difference between shelving and racks. Both are used in industrial settings for the storage of products and inventory purposes, but there is a small difference. Basically, shelving has the physical part, a shelf; and you can reach items by hand. Racking systems, like a pallet rack, are usually much larger and require equipment like a forklift to reach and move items, but if you add wire mesh to a pallet rack system, it then becomes a shelf. Keep this in mind while you shop for your warehouse shelving solutions.
Warehouse Solutions, Inc. offers a wide range of products that can help organize your warehouse space. One of the most common choices for warehouse storage options includes the pallet racking systems. Deciding to increase your floor space, vertical space, and storage capacity for your distribution center is the first step.
Next, you will want to decide whether you want to invest in new or used industrial shelving. This article will compare the benefits and considerations when it comes to new or used industrial shelving units.
Used Warehouse Shelving
There are pros and cons to both used and new warehouse shelving systems. Here are some things to consider when looking at used equipment.
Cost
The first and most obvious benefit of purchasing used shelving is the cost. Industrial shelving that has been previously used, but is still in good shape, will be cheaper than new shelving. Some people sell their used storage shelving for a lot less than they originally paid because they upgraded or simply no longer need it.
Small businesses and others who are on a tight budget, could benefit the most from used industrial shelving. Being able to purchase good quality used shelving at reduced prices can help save a small business money.
Safety
When in any workplace, safety should be of utmost importance. One should make sure they are purchasing used warehouse shelving that has been inspected, tested, and meet requirements for safe workplace conditions. Investing in used warehouse shelving can help improve safety at work since it will have already been thoroughly examined if it is from a trusted source.
Quality
When considering purchasing a used rack or shelf system, you should ensure that you are getting safe equipment. A lot of people would rather purchase used warehouse shelving because of its durability. As previously stated, used shelving that has been inspected can be very high quality and like new!
Warranty
If used shelving is purchased from a reputable source, it may be possible to get a warranty with the purchase. This provides extra security in case there are any damages caused. A common precaution is buying insurance on the used units even if they come with a warranty or other protective measures in place. This will help protect the person or entity that bought the used industrial shelving if they are damaged while being transported, installed, or during use.
New Warehouse Shelving
Many businesses are attracted to the idea of purchasing brand new equipment. In most cases, you will get the highest quality when you buy new. However, the company bank account may not always agree! Consider the following before you purchase items brand new.
Cost
The main thing holding a customer back from buying new shelving is the cost. The initial price of used industrial shelving can be much lower than that of new shelving. However, when the cost of shipping used shelving and any repairs needed after using them are factored in, then it is possible to see how buying new shelving can be more economical overall.
Professional Look
The professional look of new storage shelves may make them more appealing than used storage systems. New storage units can make any workspace look more professional and polished. They will not have the rough, shabby appearance that a used shelf may have.
Safety
New industrial shelving can offer more safety than used systems. When people buy used shelving, they do not know what the previous condition of the shelves was or who owned them previously. Used industrial shelving could have been damaged by weather conditions and may not be as safe to use in a workplace setting. New shelving may also have better safety features than an older, used shelving system.
Durability
New storage shelves will typically last longer than used ones. All shelving has a limited lifetime, which is usually stated when they are in the new condition and can be anywhere from 2 to 30 years, depending on what type of shelf and amount of use it will get. It is more of a gamble when looking at used shelving because of the uncertainty of life left on the shelf.
Conclusion
There are obvious benefits and disadvantages to purchasing new or used warehouse shelving. It all depends on what you are looking for. Whether you are a small business owner trying to save money or the person in charge of putting together a warehouse, used warehouse shelving can be beneficial. However, you will need to use your best judgment when shopping for used warehouse shelving.
Figuring out if new or used warehouse storage shelving is the better option for an employee or company can be difficult. The money saved on the purchase of used warehouse shelving may not necessarily translate into greater savings over time. The only way to know for sure is by calculating all pros and cons and then comparing new warehouse shelves to used warehouse shelving.
Warehouse Solutions, Inc.
Warehouse Solutions Inc. has a wide variety of new and used warehouse shelving and pallet rack systems to fit your business and warehouse needs. To see our products and receive a quote, visit our website at warehousesolutions.com or call (619) 873-4410 or toll-free at (800) 278-1715 today!