Loose fasteners in ice-cream tubs, fixings buried in a drawer, ten minutes lost looking for the right washer — disorganised small parts cost time on every job. A proper small parts storage system puts every component in a fixed, visible home so pickers find it first time. This guide explains the main types of small parts storage, the sizes and specs that matter, and how to choose the right setup for a workshop, stores or assembly area.
What counts as small parts storage?
Small parts storage is any system built to hold and organise small components — fasteners, fixings, electrical parts, spares, consumables and assembly kit — in defined compartments rather than loose. The aim is simple: a fixed location for every part, good visibility so stock levels are obvious at a glance, and quick picking. The four common formats are open-fronted plastic bins, tote pans on racks, withdrawable shelf trays, and louvre panels or trolleys that hang bins where you need them.
The main types of small parts storage
1. Open-fronted plastic bins
The familiar hook-on or stackable "linbin" style picking bin: an open front for grab-and-go access, available in a range of sizes from tiny fixing bins up to large parts bins. They sit on shelving, hang from louvre panels, or stack on the floor. Best for fast-moving fixings and consumables where you want to see the contents and refill easily. Many workshop bins are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for chemical resistance — the bins supplied with our Bott louvre kits, for example, resist most acids, alkalis and lubricants and tolerate temperatures from –35°C to +80°C.
2. Tote pans on racks
Tote pans are deeper, heavier-duty containers that slot into a purpose-built steel rack — a step up from light plastic bins for weightier components. Our GPC Tote Pans & Racks (Horizontal Shelf) are constructed from welded steel with bin retainers to stop pans sliding out, supplied as 8-shelf racks in footprints such as 610D × 1040W, 455D × 1350W and 610D × 1350W mm, sized to suit GTP02 or GTP03 tote pans. The steel tote pans themselves are bought separately, so you can specify exactly how many you need. Good for heavier parts, sub-assemblies and stores areas that take real handling.
3. Withdrawable shelf-tray units
Tray units hold shallow trays on a shelving frame, with a handle/stop that lets each tray be pulled fully out and suspended from the shelf for around 90% clear picking — or lifted off and carried to the bench. Our GPC Small Parts Shelf Units (ASU) come as full-height starter bays with a choice of tray sizes, from Tray 'A' at 90 × 117 × 300 mm up to deeper, taller trays at 140 × 234 × 500 mm (H × W × D). Dividers split each tray into smaller cells, and extension bays bolt on alongside the starter bay to grow the run. This format suits a high count of different small parts where you want every line visible and pickable.
4. Louvre panels, racks and trolleys
Louvre (or "perfo") panels carry a grid of slots that hook-on bins clip into, so you can rearrange storage to match the job. They come as wall panels, freestanding double-sided racks and mobile trolleys. Our Bott Louvre Double-Sided Panel Rack with Bin Kit is a freestanding steel rack with 10 louvre panels across both sides, supplied with a kit of HDPE bins and built to maximise storage density without taking more floor space. For point-of-use storage that follows the work, the Bott Perfo Louvre Panel Trolley versions put the same hanging-bin system on castors — handy for assembly lines and maintenance rounds.
The specs that matter
A few details decide whether a system actually works on the floor:
- Bin and tray size vs part size. Match the compartment to the component — small fixings want shallow divided trays or small bins; bulky spares want deep tote pans. Oversized bins waste space and let parts mix; undersized ones overflow.
- Number of locations. Count your distinct part numbers, not just volume. A high line count needs many small compartments (trays, divided bins); a few high-volume lines need fewer, larger bins.
- Visibility and picking. Open fronts and withdrawable trays give faster picking than closed drawers. The ASU's 90% clear picking is a good benchmark for stores that pick all day.
- Material and environment. Steel racks and tote pans take heavy, oily or sharp parts; HDPE bins suit chemical or temperature exposure. Match the material to what the parts are and where they live.
- Fixed vs mobile. Static racks and shelving anchor a stores area; trolleys and panel trolleys bring parts to the bench. Many workshops run both.
- Room to grow. Starter-plus-extension systems (like the ASU and our racking) let you add bays without replacing the original — worth specifying from the start if part counts are rising.
How to choose: a quick method
- List what you store. Roughly group parts by size and weight — tiny fixings, medium components, heavy spares.
- Count the lines. Many different small parts → divided trays or small bins; fewer bulky lines → tote pans or larger bins.
- Decide where it lives. A fixed stores area → racks and shelving; point-of-use at the bench or line → louvre trolleys.
- Match the format. Fast picking and visibility → open bins or withdrawable trays; heavier handling → steel tote pans; flexible, rearrangeable → louvre panels.
- Plan the footprint and growth. Double-sided racks save floor space; starter/extension systems let you expand. Leave room to add bays.
Where small parts storage fits with the rest of the stores
Small parts storage works alongside the bigger picture. For hand-loaded boxed stock and bulkier items, pair it with industrial shelving and racking or dedicated heavy-duty shelving — our GPC Small Parts Shelf Units sit naturally within that range. For workshop and assembly areas, the louvre and trolley systems from the Bott range tie small parts into the wider workshop storage setup of benches, cabinets and tool storage. A well-planned stores area uses the right format at each level: bins and trays for components, shelving for boxes, racking for pallets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to store small parts in a workshop?
Give every part a fixed, visible location sized to suit it: divided trays or small open bins for fixings and components, tote pans for heavier spares, and louvre panels or trolleys where you want storage to move with the work. Visibility and a consistent layout matter more than any single product — the goal is first-time picking.
What's the difference between tote pans and plastic bins?
Plastic (HDPE) bins are lighter, hook on or stack, and suit fast-moving fixings and consumables. Tote pans are heavier-duty containers that slot into a steel rack with retainers, designed for weightier parts and harder handling in a stores area.
How do I organise a high number of different parts?
Use withdrawable shelf-tray units with dividers — they give a large number of small, visible compartments in a compact footprint. Our GPC Small Parts Shelf Units offer tray sizes from 90 × 117 × 300 mm up to 140 × 234 × 500 mm, with dividers and extension bays to grow the system as part counts rise.
Can small parts storage be mobile?
Yes. Louvre panel trolleys put hook-on bins on castors so parts follow the job to the bench or assembly line. Double-sided versions carry bins on both faces for high capacity in a small footprint.
Sizes, configurations and prices are taken from current product data and can change — check the individual product pages for the latest specification, and choose compartment sizes against a sensible assessment of what you store.