Adapt your racking to suit

Today’s competitive environment demands a slick operation and for warehouse operators to be ahead of the game in an ever changing market.

Warehouses should be used to maximum potential, as they play an essential part in the day-to-day operation of any business, especially in fast moving eCommerce environments. Deployment of storage solutions not only help operational planning of how space is used but can become a strategic tool for business development and can affect the bottom line.

The first area to consider therefore is the space available and its layout, as maximising space as cost effectively as possible will be top of the list for any warehouse manager. In some warehouses the impact of storage system design has been known to save as much as 75 per cent more space after installation; a saving that cannot be ignored.

Regardless of whether the warehouse is large or small, finding the right storage solution that grows and develops with the needs of an organisation is essential; as is one that can adapt to the peaks and troughs in demand as operators respond to customer requirements.

Planning ahead at the design stage, especially for new build, will allow warehouse managers to design in future capacity requirements without having to consider potentially expensive and disruptive alternatives such as moving locations or sourcing a second warehouse to house stock as a business grows. It is often far more economical to build upwards rather than outwards; for example, taking into account the type of items stored, accessibility and pick rates the design can cater for low level or high rise storage, or a mix of both with the option to extend vertically or horizontally as needs dictate.

This flexibility provides the opportunity to utilise the ‘new’ space created for a range of applications, such as renting it out to another business and receiving revenue until the space is required again, accommodating packing areas for e-fulfilment, bulk storage at higher levels, short term flat deck storage for large and awkward SKUs or even office space at ground level or on a mezzanine. Building upwards can also reduce the amount of time spent travelling to the location of a product for it to be picked and can easily offset the cost of additional handling equipment.

In addition to the available space within the warehouse itself, another challenge is to introduce the correct storage system that would work hardest for the business. The most popular solution is Wide Aisle Pallet Racking, ideal for manufacturing and production centred environments and a simple solution that provides direct access to each pallet. Alternatively, to increase space utilisation, Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking is an option that reduces the lane width and effectively doubles the capacity of a warehouse. Double Deep, Drive in and shuttle based Pallet Racking designs are also available offering the opportunity to spread outward as well as upward without making changes to the exoskeleton of warehouses.

Alongside automated systems, it is imperative for warehouse managers to conduct regular analysis of warehouse efficiency to determine whether the storage is working hard enough and is coping with customer demand. This is a crucial element of successful warehouse design and keeping up to date with the latest storage system technology will help to ensure productivity improvements can continue to be made.

Finally, working with storage suppliers who are experts in racking and shelving can make a huge difference in improving a warehouse’s efficiency and maximising the space available safely and quickly, ensuring the integrity of the scheme design to recognised guidelines such as the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA). Businesses like Link 51 understand the challenges that warehouse managers face, making choosing a flexible storage solution that works with your business as simple as possible.