What is longspan shelving used for?

Longspan shelving is used for storing heavier or bulkier items that are handled manually. It’s ideal for mixed stock sizes where flexibility matters. If you’re looking for warehouse shelving solutions, longspan shelving systems offer a practical option for storage for bulky items.

How much weight can longspan shelving hold?

Load capacities vary depending on the system, beam length, and decking type. Shelves typically support up to 1100 kilograms per level depending on the manufacturer, when correctly specified and installed. Our heavy duty shelving is designed to safely handle higher loads.

Is longspan shelving adjustable?

Shelf heights can be adjusted to suit changing stock sizes, which is why it’s a practical and long-term solution for growing warehouses. Explore our adjustable warehouse shelving for flexible storage layouts.

Can longspan shelving be extended later?

In most cases, yes. Additional bays, shelves, and accessories can be added as storage needs change, and it can be extended upwards too to maximise vertical space.

Is longspan shelving suitable for industrial environments?

Absolutely. Heavy-duty longspan shelving is commonly used in heavy industrial applications including, manufacturing, and distribution settings. It’s ideal for warehouses handling large or bulky items, as well as wholesalers.

How do I make sure shelving is safe to use?

Correct load signage, regular inspections, and proper installation are essential. The HSE provides clear guidance on safe storage systems. For expert installation and advice, you can book a free site visit.

Longspan Shelving

Storage that keeps up with day to day demands

Longspan shelving sits in the sweet spot between light-duty shelving and pallet racking. It’s designed for warehouses that need strength and flexibility without overcomplicating the layout.

If your team is manually picking stock, dealing with mixed product sizes, or constantly reconfiguring space, longspan shelving helps keep things moving without slowing people down.

Wide bays for bulky or irregular items
High load capacities without fixed pallet positions
Easy access at floor level and above

Planning your storage layout?

We’ll help you map out a layout that works now and leaves room to adjust later.

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A large, vacant commercial space with pristine white walls and an open layout for versatile use and flexibility

Designed to adapt as your business grows

Business growth rarely happens in neat stages, and stock changes over time. Sizes change. Volumes change. But what you’re storing doesn’t stay the same.

Longspan shelving systems are modular shelving systems. Their design allows adjustable shelves, runs of shelving to be extended vertically or by width, and layouts that can evolve without taking everything down and starting again.

That means:

Less disruption when stock profiles change
Easier reconfiguration as volumes increase
Storage that supports growth instead of limiting it

Not sure what shelf capacity you need?

We’ll assess your stock and handling methods during a free site visit and recommend a specification exactly for your needs.

Book a free site visit

A practical alternative to pallet racking

Not every warehouse needs pallets. And not every product fits neatly on one.

Longspan shelving is often chosen when pallet racking feels like overkill — or when manual access matters more than forklift reach. It’s especially effective for:

Spare parts and components
Archive or boxed goods
Bulky items that vary in size
Low to medium volume pick operations

If your operation sits between shelving and racking, longspan usually makes sense with palletised goods to be stored at ground level, and hand pick items stored above.

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nstalled with safety, workflow, and future changes in mind

Shelving only works if it fits your space properly. We look at access routes, picking flow, load weights, and how your team realistically uses the warehouse each day.

Our longspan shelving solutions are: