Specialist Storage & Safety Solutions
Specialist Storage & Safety Solutions
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
GET IN TOUCH
Heavy-Duty
Heavy-duty design supported by steel frames
Manual
Optimised for manual picking lines
Quick
Quick and easy access to stock for fast manual picking
Modular
The modular design allows adjustments to shelf heights, widths, and configurations
Proudly Supplying
For warehouses that need a reliable and adaptable storage system for bulk or medium-sized items, longspan shelving provides an efficient and durable solution. With wide, open shelves supported by heavy-duty steel frames, this system accommodates a variety of product sizes and shapes while keeping everything organised, accessible, and aligned with Ikon’s SpaceSmart philosophy.
Every business faces the challenge of storing goods efficiently while keeping them accessible. Longspan shelving combines strength, versatility, and scalability in a system that adapts to your needs. With Ikon’s expertise, you can make better use of space, improve workflows, and create a safer, more efficient warehouse environment.
Suitable Applications & Benefits of Longspan Shelving
E-commerce & Logistics
Automotive & Engineering
Retail & Trade Distribution
Manufacturing
Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
Garment & Fashion
Heavy-duty storage
Available in timber, mesh, or steel decking
Optimised for manual picking 
What is Longspan Shelving?
Longspan shelving is a heavy-duty storage racking system designed to bridge the gap between light-duty shelving and full-scale pallet racking systems. Built with strong steel uprights and wide-span shelves — available in timber, mesh, or steel decking — it delivers strength and adaptability in one solution. Unlike pallet racking, which is primarily designed for forklift-loaded pallets, longspan shelving is optimised for manual handling. This makes it the ideal choice for warehouses, stockrooms, e-commerce facilities, and distribution centres where staff need quick, direct access to stock.
Longspan Shelving vs Standard Shelving
Light-duty shelving may suffice for small or lightweight items, but it often fails under bulkier or heavier loads. Longspan shelving offers the perfect middle ground — strong enough to handle heavy-duty storage requirements, yet accessible enough for fast manual picking. This balance makes it a practical alternative to both static shelving and full industrial pallet racking.
Applications of Longspan Shelving
Thanks to its adaptability and load-bearing strength, longspan shelving is widely used across industries. Retail and wholesale warehouses use it to store cartons, overstock, and bulky products. Manufacturers rely on it for organising components, spare parts, and equipment. Distribution centres and logistics hubs benefit from flexible pick-face storage for medium-sized goods, while workshops and trade centres use it to store tools and materials. For e-commerce fulfilment, longspan shelving provides efficient storage for mixed SKUs with quick picker access. From compact stockrooms to large-scale warehouse racking systems, longspan shelving keeps operations efficient, organised, and safe.
Longspan shelving is built to handle large, bulky, or irregularly shaped items that don’t fit on traditional shelving. With wide, durable shelves and customisable heights, this system allows you to store a range of products in an organised, accessible manner. Each shelf level can hold significant weight, making longspan shelving perfect for managing bulk items or inventory that requires heavy-duty support.
This SpaceSmart approach leverages the strength and flexibility of longspan shelving to maximise storage density within the same floor space. By reducing the need for additional aisles and allowing items to be stored vertically, longspan shelving optimises space usage, helping you fit more inventory into your existing footprint without compromising on accessibility.
Longspan shelving is designed with accessibility in mind. Its wide shelves and open front make it easy for employees to retrieve items quickly, reducing picking times and improving overall efficiency. Because items are stored in easily visible and reachable locations, staff can quickly locate and handle products, making longspan shelving an ideal solution for fast-paced environments or high-demand warehouses.
This setup supports a SpaceSmart workflow, as it eliminates unnecessary searching and handling, allowing for faster order fulfilment and a more streamlined picking process. Longspan shelving’s open design makes it ideal for retail and e-commerce fulfilment, where quick, reliable access to inventory is essential.
One of the key strengths of longspan shelving is its adaptability. The system’s modular design allows you to adjust shelf heights, widths, and configurations to accommodate different types of products. This flexibility makes longspan shelving perfect for warehouses with changing storage needs, as it can be easily reconfigured to match new inventory requirements or seasonal demand fluctuations.
With longspan shelving, you can customise each level to suit your specific product dimensions, creating an organised storage layout that suits your unique inventory. By keeping your storage adaptable, longspan shelving helps you maintain a SpaceSmart environment that can handle a wide range of products without requiring frequent, costly changes.
As your business grows, so does your inventory. Longspan shelving is designed to scale with your needs, making it easy to expand storage capacity as your product range increases. The system’s modular structure means you can add more shelves, reconfigure existing ones, or expand horizontally as needed, allowing your storage solution to grow without a complete overhaul.
This scalability is central to the SpaceSmart philosophy, enabling you to adapt your storage system to meet new demands without disrupting your existing layout. With longspan shelving, you can optimise your storage setup for long-term growth, ensuring your warehouse stays organised, efficient, and ready for the future.
Longspan shelving delivers several key advantages over conventional shelving:
Versatile storage capacity
Capable of handling cartons, bulky boxes, tools, and irregular items, with shelves adjustable to suit different stock profiles.
Strength and durability
Engineered from high-quality steel, each level supports heavy loads while maintaining safety and stability.
Efficient use of space
Wide-span designs reduce the need for multiple uprights, creating more open storage and maximising floor space.
Easy accessibility
Open-front shelving allows staff to pick or store items quickly, speeding up warehouse operations and reducing handling times.
Scalability and flexibility
Modular construction means systems can be extended, reconfigured, or relocated, making longspan shelving a future-proof investment.
At Ikon, we design and install longspan racking systems tailored to your warehouse layout, load requirements, and stock profile. Our shelving is manufactured from high-quality steel, available with timber, mesh, or steel decking, and built for long-term reliability.
Longspan shelving offers a flexible, durable solution that accommodates bulky, medium-sized items and supports high-capacity storage within a compact footprint. With easy access, customisable configurations, and scalable options, this shelving system is perfect for businesses that need adaptable, space-optimised storage. For companies looking to maximise warehouse efficiency and stay SpaceSmart, longspan shelving is a practical choice that ensures durability, accessibility, and room to grow.
“Having made initial contact, Jack helped layout our drive in and standard racking plans. We met the rest of the IKON Team who were all extremely friendly and supportive through inception to completion.”
Mark Schofield
Pattesons Glass Ltd
“Delivered and installed on the date we were promised when we placed the order, good communication, friendly and tidy installation team who got it all up in a day. Very pleased and impressed.”
Tim Doran
Managing Director
“We’ve just bought our first set of racking from IKON Solutions Ltd, and we couldn’t be happier! The team is super professional, really easy to work with, and gave us some great advice along the way.”
John Carsley
Purchasing Manager
“Taylors Snacks Limited have worked With IKON to provide several bespoke racking and storage solutions. We have found their customer service to be excellent in all aspects, completing all work on time to a high standard.”
Matt Dunmore
Head of Engineering
“Cantilever racking completely changed how we handle long-length materials. Timber, pipe, sheet goods - everything’s accessible and properly supported. The IKON team spec’d it perfectly for our space.”
Marcus Holt
Building Supplies Manager
“We have used IKON for a few years now for racking and mezzanine installs and maintenance across our sites. They are very professional and Kyle has been a great project support to us also. Would highly recommend!”
Craig Stanford
Operations Manager
“Was great working with Jack and the team, helped me plan out the space to get the most from it, more than happy to edit the plan as we went, installation was fast and efficient. Could not recommended more.”
Tom
Bag In Box UK
“It’s the first thing we should have installed and the last thing we thought about. Since fitting IKON’s racking protection, we’ve had zero impact damage worth mentioning. Small cost, big peace of mind.”
Dean Fowler
Warehouse Ops. Manager
“We specify wire mesh decking on almost every installation we carry out. It’s one of those products that quietly makes everything else work better - safer stock, easier picking, and full sprinkler compliance without a second thought.”
Kyle Lucas
Operations Director
We design, supply, and install a comprehensive range of commercial storage systems across the UK. This includes adjustable pallet racking, drive-in racking, dynamic pallet flow systems, and heavy-duty cantilever racking for bulky goods. We also specialise in multi-tier shelving and structural mezzanine floors. Book a free site survey to find the exact system that fits your operational needs.
Choosing the right industrial racking depends on your stock profile, forklift type, and available floor space. Our expert team takes the guesswork out of this process by conducting a comprehensive, free site survey and space planning assessment. We analyse your daily workflow and inventory management to design a bespoke, high-density storage solution that maximises your capacity and efficiency. Speak to an expert today.
Yes. Beyond professional, safe installation by certified teams, we provide complete lifecycle support for your warehouse racking. This includes routine maintenance, rapid damage repair, and formal SEMA-aligned racking inspections to ensure your facility remains strictly compliant with UK health and safety regulations. Protect your workforce and your investment with our tailored aftercare packages. Explore our inspection services.
Lead times vary depending on the scale and complexity of your storage project. For standard stock items and simple industrial shelving, we can often provide next-day delivery. For larger, bespoke installations—such as complete warehouse fit-outs, heavy-duty pallet racking, or custom mezzanine floors—lead times typically range up to 6 weeks. We always provide a clear, transparent project timeline during your initial consultation to ensure minimal disruption to your operations.
Absolutely. We understand that upgrading your commercial storage is a significant capital investment. To help you manage cash flow while still expanding your operational capacity, we offer flexible, competitive financing options for all our racking and mezzanine installations. Contact our team to discuss a budget-friendly payment plan tailored specifically to your business needs.
Under UK health and safety legislation, your warehouse racking must be maintained in a safe working condition. The Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA) highly recommends that a formal, documented inspection is carried out by a technically competent person—such as a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI)—at least once every 12 months. Alongside this annual check, you should conduct regular in-house visual inspections to spot immediate damage. Ikon offers comprehensive, SEMA-aligned inspection and maintenance packages to keep your facility fully compliant.
In most cases, installing a mezzanine floor inside your existing warehouse does not require planning permission, as it is considered an internal alteration. However, it will always require Building Regulations approval to ensure it meets strict structural, fire safety, and accessibility standards. At Ikon, our end-to-end service means we manage the entire Building Regulations application process on your behalf, ensuring your new mezzanine is completely compliant and hassle-free.
The load capacity of industrial pallet racking varies significantly depending on the specific system, the height of the frames, the type of beams used, and how the weight is distributed. For example, standard adjustable pallet racking can often hold several tonnes per level, while heavy-duty systems like Drive-In racking are engineered for high-density bulk storage. To ensure maximum safety, load capacity signs (Safe Working Load notices) must always be clearly displayed. If you are unsure what capacity you need, contact Ikon for a free site survey to calculate your exact requirements.
Yes, absolutely. We do much more than just install new systems. If you are moving premises, we offer complete warehouse relocation services, safely dismantling your existing racking and re-installing it at your new site. We also provide certified racking repair services; if a forklift collision damages an upright or beam, our maintenance team can replace the compromised components swiftly to minimise operational downtime and keep your racking SEMA-compliant.
SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) is the UK’s leading body for safe storage practice. Their guidelines cover the safe design, installation, use, and maintenance of warehouse racking. Key SEMA recommendations include ensuring all racking is installed by qualified professionals, conducting annual expert safety inspections, promptly reporting and repairing accidental damage, and displaying clear load capacity notices on every rack. Ikon strictly adheres to SEMA guidelines across all our installations and maintenance services to guarantee the safety of your workforce.
Something else on your mind? Get in touch
PALLET RACKING
SHELVING
CANTILEVER
MEZZANINE FLOORING
REPAIRS
HEALTH & SAFETY
SPECIALIST RACKING
VERICAL RACKING
PALLET RACKING
SHELVING
CANTILEVER
MEZZANINE FLOORING
REPAIRS
HEALTH & SAFETY
SPECIALIST RACKING
VERICAL RACKING
