Buying mobile shelving is a 20-year decision. Here are the seven things UK buyers should check before signing a purchase order.
1. SEIRS-registered installers
The Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme (SEIRS) is the UK industry's competence scheme for storage equipment installers. Insist on a SEIRS-carded installation crew — it's the minimum competency benchmark used by serious clients across the NHS, councils and blue-chip facilities teams.
2. Accreditations that matter
Look for CHAS, Constructionline and ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001. These are the accreditations every public-sector framework asks for and they're a reasonable proxy for a properly-run business.
3. Direct-employed engineers
Some 'national' shelving suppliers sub-contract every job to the cheapest local fitter. That's how installations go wrong. Ask whether engineers are direct-employed (ours are) and whether the same team does install, repair and PUWER inspection (ours do).
4. PUWER-aware aftercare
Mobile shelving is work equipment under PUWER 1998. Your supplier should offer planned maintenance and statutory PUWER inspections as a standard product — not an afterthought.
5. Multi-brand expertise
Good suppliers can install, repair and maintain every major UK and European brand — Bruynzeel, Rackline, Dexion, Link 51, Forster, Compactus. Single-brand specialists tend to recommend whatever they sell, not what you need.
6. UK and European coverage
If you operate across multiple sites, look for a supplier with genuine UK-wide coverage (we cover every UK postcode) and European project experience. One supplier across the estate beats one per region every time.
7. Fixed-price quotes after a site survey
Walk away from anyone quoting without seeing your site. Mobile shelving costs depend on rail length, bay height, floor loading and access — none of which can be costed from a phone call.