Compactus Mobile Shelving — Compactus Units & Compact Shelving Systems

Compactus mobile shelving is a high-density storage system in which shelving bays are mounted on wheeled carriages running along precision floor tracks. Instead of every bay needing its own permanent access aisle, the whole run of Compactus units compacts together and a single moveable aisle opens wherever the user needs it. The effect is dramatic: storage density typically two to three times that of conventional static shelving in the same footprint.

Compactus is the original trade name — coined by Bruynzeel in the 1950s — and has become a generic term in the UK, much like Hoover for vacuum cleaners. In modern usage "Compactus", "mobile shelving", "compact shelving systems" and "roller racking" all describe the same product family.

Compactus units are supplied in three drive types. Manual Compactus units are pushed by hand and suit light loads up to around 200 kg per metre — ideal for small archive rooms and stationery stores. Mechanical-assist Compactus units use a three-spoke handle and gear mechanism, comfortably moving loads up to 800 kg per bay — the workhorse specification for local authority archives, solicitors and NHS records. Powered electric Compactus units are the premium option for heavy loads, high-frequency access and full Equality Act 2010 accessibility compliance.

Every Compactus unit is built to order. Shelf pitch, bay width, depth, height, end panels, backs, dividers, drawers, hanging rails, roll-out reference shelves and locking can all be specified to suit the material being stored. Standard finishes are powder-coated steel in a wide RAL palette; timber-faced end panels are available for library, museum and executive specifications.

Compact shelving systems from Rackstor UK Ltd are specified daily across the UK for:

Archives and records management — county archives, national record offices, corporate legal deed rooms and NHS medical records departments use Compactus mobile shelving to store lever-arch files, archive boxes and deed bundles at the highest density permitted by the floor loading.

Libraries and universities — academic libraries, research collections and rare-book stores use Compactus units with book-depth shelves, adjustable pitch and low-emission finishes for long-term preservation.

Museums and heritage — museum-grade Compactus systems include inert powder-coat finishes, seismic bracing options, glass-fronted display bays and climate-monitoring integration for reserve collections.

Healthcare — NHS pathology, radiology, pharmacy and patient-records departments use Compactus mobile shelving for slide archives, blood bank storage, controlled-drug cabinets and paper records awaiting digitisation.

Commercial and industrial — engineering spares, evidence rooms, workshop tool stores and back-of-house retail stock benefit from the space-saving density of compact shelving systems.

Rackstor UK Ltd is brand-independent. We supply new Compactus mobile shelving from leading European manufacturers, and we service, repair, relocate and PUWER-certify existing installations of every make and vintage — including Bruynzeel Compactus, Rackline, Forster, Dexion, Link 51, Lundia, Montel, Spacesaver, Silverline, Probe and unbadged systems installed from the 1980s onwards. Whether you need one new bay added to an existing Compactus run or a full 500-bay archive fit-out, we can help.

A well-maintained Compactus system has a working life of 20–30 years. Rackstor UK Ltd provides planned preventative maintenance contracts, annual PUWER 1998 inspections, emergency call-out repairs and full refurbishment of older Compactus units across the UK. Common repairs include wheel and bearing replacement, drive-chain re-tensioning, handle mechanism overhaul, aisle safety upgrades and track re-levelling following building movement.

Call 0800 654 6955 or use the enquiry form for a free on-site survey and fixed-price quotation covering new Compactus mobile shelving supply and installation, Compactus unit repairs, planned maintenance contracts or the relocation of an existing compact shelving system.