CTU Shelving
CTU is an abbreviation for Carton-to-Unit, a light-to-medium-duty shelving system adapted to automated warehousing systems. It is specifically designed for the automated storage and retrieval of cartons and boxes. The shelving height can reach 6-12 meters and requires the use of automated equipment such as shuttles and AGVs.
Function
Used for automated storage and sorting of multi-variety, small-to-medium batch goods in bins/cartons, supporting first-in-first-out or last-in-first-out (FIFO) of goods, and can be connected to production lines and sorting lines to achieve unmanned operation of warehousing.
As storage demands increase, the CTU Shelving System offers an efficient solution for organized and high-density warehousing. Designed for durability and flexibility, it helps businesses maximize available space while improving inventory management.
Built with a strong steel structure and modular design, the CTU Shelving System provides excellent load capacity and easy access to stored goods. Its adaptable configuration supports various products and storage requirements, making it suitable for logistics centers, factories, and distribution warehouses.
A growing manufacturing company struggled with limited storage space and slow material retrieval. After installing the CTU Shelving System, storage capacity increased significantly, inventory became easier to manage, and daily operations ran more efficiently.
By solving common warehouse challenges such as space shortages, disorganized storage, and low productivity, the CTU Shelving System delivers a reliable, cost-effective solution for modern storage management.
Advantages
Adapts to automated operations, offering high storage and retrieval efficiency and enabling precise "goods-to-person" picking;
High storage density, supporting multi-layer, multi-column layouts to fully utilize warehouse vertical space;
Strong compatibility, adaptable to different sizes of bins and cartons, supporting mixed storage;
Seamlessly integrates with WMS/WCS systems for digital management of goods.
Structure
CTU shelving structure
Application Industries And Scope
Due to its simple structure, strong versatility, easy assembly, and low implementation cost, warehouse pallet shelves are the most commonly used storage system. They are particularly suitable for the following situations:
CTU Shelving Applications
FAQs
Is the investment cost of CTU shelving high? What is the typical payback period?
The investment cost is higher than traditional shelving but lower than automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), with an investment of approximately 1,500-3,000 yuan per square meter (including shelving, automation equipment, and control system). The investment payback period is typically 2-4 years, depending on the workload: if the average daily processing volume is ≥500 bins, labor costs are significantly reduced, and the payback period can be shortened to about 2 years; for small and medium-sized warehouses, the payback period is approximately 3-4 years.
Is the CTU shelving suitable for storing a wide variety of goods in small batches? What is the maximum number of SKUs it can store?
Ideally suited for various industries, CTU shelving supports multi-level, multi-column layouts. Each storage location can store one SKU's bin/carton, with a maximum capacity of thousands of SKUs (the exact number depends on shelving size and storage location density). A WMS system enables precise SKU location and rapid retrieval, making it suitable for diverse industries such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and 3C electronics.
What are the storage height and single-layer load-bearing capacity of CTU shelving?
The standard storage height is 3-12m, making full use of the warehouse's vertical space; the single-layer load-bearing capacity is 100-400kg/layer, suitable for storing bins and cartons (single carton weight ≤50kg).
What automated equipment must CTU racks be used with? Can they be used independently?
It needs to be used in conjunction with automated equipment such as shuttles, AGVs, robotic arms, or stacker cranes, as it cannot be accessed manually on its own (the racks are high and the aisles are narrow, making them inaccessible to humans). A common setup is: CTU racks + shuttles for storage, AGVs for cargo transfer, and robotic arms for picking individual items, all linked with WMS/WCS systems to achieve full automation.
What does "Carton-to-Unit" mean in CTU shelving? What is its core function?
"Carton-to-Unit" refers to the centralized storage of small storage units such as cartons and bins, which are then accessed and retrieved using automated equipment. Its core function is to bridge the gap between "full-case storage" and "piece-by-piece picking," enabling automated management of diverse, small-batch goods, improving warehousing efficiency, and reducing manual intervention.
Case Studies
A leading automotive chassis and suspension system expert under the German Fowler Group, founded in 1827, with a factory in Suzhou serving major global automakers. Specializing in the R&D and production of precision suspension components, its clients include Audi, BMW, BYD, and other manufacturers of both gasoline and new energy vehicles.
Shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars, suspension connectors, NVH vibration absorbers, body transition components, ventilation/fluid delivery pipes, gear components, and also supplying rubber and plastic molded parts for the home appliance and electronics industries.
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