Multi-tier Shelving
Specifically designed for warehouses with limited floor space but the potential to expand vertically, Multi-Tier Shelving (AR Multi-Tier) is a manual storage system that maximizes vertical space, effectively doubling or even tripling the storage capacity.
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Multi-tier shelving maximizes vertical space by creating multiple levels of aisles for manual loading, accessible via stairs.
This solution is perfect for optimizing warehouse height and enhancing order preparation efficiency without requiring automation.
Operators can directly and immediately access the upper levels of the shelving to handle loads manually. These elevated aisles are reached using stairs or automated mechanisms like forklifts to move goods up and down.
By increasing the available storage space, this system offers an ideal way to achieve maximum efficiency and performance in warehouse operations.
AR Multi-tier Shelving
The multi-tier storage system is a crucial solution for warehouses with limited or no additional horizontal space.
This system is highly adaptable to any warehouse type, offering a wide range of customizable measurements to suit specific needs.
The effective use of multi-tier shelving requires careful planning of the design, including levels, aisles, and access points, to ensure both efficiency and safety in storage and picking operations.
In warehouses utilizing this system, operators receive picking orders via a warehouse management system (WMS) or order management software. They use stairs or forklifts, as needed, to reach the different levels.
At the appropriate level, operators retrieve the products from the racking, placing them into containers or picking shuttles. These items are recorded as removed from the inventory and are then prepared for shipment.
Advantages and features of the Multi-tier Racking:
- Maximum use of height space, with the possibility of doubling and even tripling warehouse space without having to change warehouse or location, exploiting and optimizing your current facilities.
- It allows you to store medium and/or bulky loads, making the most of the height and surface area of the warehouse.
- Allows direct and immediate access to all unit loads.
- Possibility of carrying out ABC inventory management on each floor.
- Great versatility as it adapts to any type of warehouse and any type of goods.
- Agile and efficient order preparation.
- It is a flexible system as it adapts easily to the customer’s needs.
- Multi-tier shelving is simple, safe and quick to assemble and install.
- Strong and secure racking for operators.
- Facilitates operator access to all the unit loads minimising potential risks.
- Possibility of carrying out future modifications and extensions.
Main applications of Multi-tier Shelving
This type of racking is particularly beneficial in warehouses with limited floor space but significant vertical space to utilize. It is commonly used by businesses that handle order preparation for small items with medium to light loads, relying on manual and individual access. The following types of warehouses or companies are the most typical users of this storage solution:
- Warehouses for spare parts, industrial supplies, hardware stores, etc.
- Warehouses from the food and beverage sector such as supermarkets.
- Warehouses of companies from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.
- Warehouses for document logistics, archives and bookshops.
- Warehouses for distribution of electrical material.
- Warehouses for hanging garments.
- Parcel service warehouses.
Components and accessories of Multi-tier Shelving System
Multi-tier shelving has a series of structural components and a series of specific accessories.
Its main components are listed below:
Beams and cross members
Beam
Beams are fundamental structural components of racking systems. These horizontal elements connect to the uprights and serve as the support for trays or shelves where unit loads are stored.
Support bar
Support bars are installed transversely on the existing beams and are mainly designed to strengthen the structure of the racking by providing additional support between the beams. This helps distribute the load more evenly and prevents the racks from deforming from the weight of the stored goods.
Elements of the frame in Multi-tier System
Frame
The frames are the main vertical components of multi-tier shelving.
These frames consist of two uprights, their corresponding diagonal braces, upright bases and fixing elements such as bolts and nuts.
Upright
Uprights are the primary components of the frame, providing support and stability to the structure. They are positioned at regular intervals along the racking to maintain vertical alignment and bear the loads the system is designed to support.
The design of the uprights varies based on the load capacity requirements and the specific needs of each customer.
At AR Racking, we offer a wide range of uprights in various widths and lengths, ensuring they can be tailored to meet the unique demands of every racking system.
Frame support
It is the structural component that is located at the base and provides support and stability to the racking.
This component is essential to ensure that the racking stays upright securely and balanced.
They are also responsible for distributing the weight and load of the racking on the floor.
Other elements of Multi-tier Shelving System
Stairs
The stairs provide access to higher levels to operators working in the warehouse. There are various options when it comes to positioning the stairs on the racking: in the centre, on one side, at the front of the installation or between two racking structures.
Forklifts
They’re an automated alternative to stairs. Forklifts are the equipment used to help operators move vertically and transport products or goods between different storage levels.
These forklifts are specifically built to operate in warehouses with multi-tier shelving systems that feature multiple levels of storage.
Their main purpose is to streamline the process of loading and unloading products from the various racking levels.
Multi-tier shelving systems comply with the strictest National safety standards, and also come with AR Racking’s quality and innovation guarantee.
5-year quality guarantee
Our confidence in multi-tier shelving systems means we are able to offer 5-year quality guarantees against all types of manufacturing or hidden defects in the main structural components.
Component traceability system
Since 2016, all our racking components include a traceability system.
This system provides an identifying marker, which means we can know and document the origin of each component. This allows us to identify each component, its design and the raw material used for its manufacture.
100% automated manufacture
The production process for all the racking is fully automated. The latest generation profiling machines with continuous cutting process and laser measurement control, welding centres, painting and packaging processes, all fully automated, are used to guarantee the highest quality standards.
Designs in R&D&I Centre
The structures of the storage systems are designed in our technology centre dedicated exclusively to R&D&I activities, as well as with the advanced engineering projects development area, which allows us to respond appropriately to more demanding logistical requirements.
Tests at Research and Testing Laboratory
With the creation of our Research and Testing Laboratory, together with the University of Mondragón, our technical area continuously tests and analyses products and materials to optimize our storage systems.
Using software, it simulates, calculates and researches the efficiency of the geometries, and makes detailed calculations on the behaviour of the systems already installed in different situations.
Quality certificates in Multi-tier Shelving System
- ISO 9001: 2008
- ISO 18001: 2004
- OSHAS 18001: 2007
- Certificado de soldadura: UNE EN ISO 3834-2: 2006
- Certificado de resistencia del galvanizado: UNE-EN ISO 14713-1
- Reacción al fuego de galvanizado: EN 13501-1: 2007
References
As Multi-tier Shelving experts with more than 26,000 storage projects implemented in over 60 countries, we are fortunate to have collaborated in the optimization of the warehouses of major national companies from various sectors: food and beverage, automotive, distribution, electronics, pharmacy and cosmetics, industrial and transport and logistics.
Some featured Multi-tier Shelving projects:
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