A German company, over 50 years ago, invented the steel racking systems, also known as the boltless shelving system.  They decided to use slotted steel sections for warehouse technology.  In doing so, this company set new standards in flexibility, importantly when responding to their customers’ needs. Whether it is a multi-national organisation with massive warehouses or a corner shop grocer with a small stock room, boltless shelving is an ideal answer to their problems.

Although the patent remains with this particular company, other organisations were quick to recognise the potential of this system and have developed their own versions, still basing the idea on the concept of simplicity, strength and speed of assembly. They have also realised that tailor making a boltless shelving system for individual retailers helps not only their profit margin but their reputation as well.

The German inventors of the boltless shelving system are still developing the product in Germany.  Due to their years of experience in warehouse logistics technology and the interaction with their various customers, they are still refining and developing their manufacture of the system. The boltless shelving system has a modular design; this means that the warehouse’s changing demands can be catered for with ease.

The available space in a warehouse or stock room is utilised to the maximum using this system. A simple one storey or a multi-level racking system can be used. If unusually long depths or widths are required, the same system can still be used, so using a different system is not necessary.

A stock controller’s worst nightmare is a disorganised stock-room. An efficient stock clerk will carry out a stock check at least once a week. A newly employed stock controller should always carry out a full stock check on his first day. The last thing he needs is old, out of date items that have been pushed to the back whenever a new delivery has arrived and been stored away. Plastic storage boxes might be the solution, but not easy to check everything that is in them.

Free-standing shelving systems would seem to be the perfect answer. With castors to make them easy to move around, the stock controller will be able to see what is in stock and how much or how many.

Ideally, this shelving system will be quick and easy to construct with the option of having all of its shelves adjustable. Depending on the type of products needing to be stored, this type of system may have a load bearing capacity of up to 500kg. The buyer is advised to check with the retailer’s sales office regarding this matter, the system does need to comply with Health and Safety regulations

The supplier of the shelving systems should also offer to retail accessories to their systems such as; shelf dividers, modular boxes and bins for small parts. A typical feature of this type of shelving system is the lightweight but sturdy shelf. The reason this kind of shelf is so light but strong is that it is made from cold rolled and formed steel.