A warehouse is typically used by a number of different organisations to store a considerable amount of stock before being picked, packaged and distributed to their customers. Where some of the key elements in the process involve professional management operations, trained warehouse employees and efficient order picking systems, many facilities owe their success to sufficient storage solutions and superior organisation of the stock they hold.
Whether you have a large warehouse with ample space available or a small premises where empty space is limited, there will be a number of different storage options available for your facility so that you’re able to carry out work efficiently and productively whilst also keeping your employees safe, regardless of the industry you’re involved in. In this article, we’ll be detailing the storage solutions available to you, including the different types of warehouse racking.
Install quality racking and shelving
Warehouse racking is an exceptionally popular storage solution that most, if not all, facilities choose to have installed. Essentially, these are large, heavy and extremely sturdy shelves that are built to hold considerably large loads, although they should be stacked with safety in mind. For example, place the heaviest items at the bottom and lighter goods towards the top.
Warehouse racking is usually quite tall, often towering up to the roof of the warehouse to achieve maximum storage space, although this depends on the size of your facility and the machinery you have on hand. As racking doesn’t take up much floor space, it’s no wonder that industrial shelving is the first storage solution that warehouse owners ask for. Although, there are several different types available, so it’s important that you choose the right one for you.
What shelving options are available?
There are a number of different questions you should ask yourself before committing to having warehouse racking constructed throughout your premises, including:
- Am I storing products of different shapes and sizes?
- How often is a specific product pulled off the shelf?
- Which products are moving faster than others?
- Which products are slow to shift?
- Am I currently storing any seasonal products?
- Do any products require special storage conditions or have specific storage needs?
- Am I storing any perishable items, such as food and drink and if so, what are the expiry dates on them?
All of the aforementioned questions should be able to help you to understand which storage system you need for your warehouse. Planning and analysing the stock you already have or are expected to receive will be highly-beneficial before you agree to have warehouse racking installed. This way, you’ll be able explain what your exact requirements are before any work commences.
If you’ve put together a comprehensive plan and are now ready to choose a warehouse racking system that’s right for you, the next step is researching and understanding what each racking system offers and whether it’ll work for you. Some of the warehouse racking solutions available have been detailed below for you:
Pallet racking
- Ideal for continuous product movement
- Pallets are loaded and/or unloaded from the front
- More stock can be held on pallet racking
- Provides easy access to palletised goods
- Makes it quicker and more simple for employees to locate goods needed
- Enhances productivity and efficiency when it comes to warehouse operations
- Highly-durable and robust meaning the shelving will not collapse
- Workers and products will not come to any harm
Push back racking
- Perfect for warehouses that need to access large, but different, stock-keeping units (SKUs) at the same time
- Enables maximisation of storage in the warehouse
- Follows the last-in, first-out system
- Ensures more stock can be held
- Staff will find it easier to locate products
- Allows goods to be held securely at all times
- Safe and stock will be protected from harm
- Exceptionally safe and sturdy so there’s no risk of the shelving collapsing
Cantilever
- Ensures easy retrieval of stock
- Products can be quickly and securely stored
- Allows a warehouse to accommodate for products of any shape, size or weight
- Makes short work of selection processes and overall adjustability
- Can be bespoke to your requirements
Drive-in rack
- Great for the storage of homogenous products
- Forklifts load and unload stock from the front of the racking
- Once the stock is in place, the forklift will move backwards
- Follows last-in, first-out processes
Long span shelving
- A flexible option for many warehouses
- Has an ability to serve a number of different applications
- Uses a clip-together system allowing shelving to be adjusted
- Is able to support a mezzanine floor construction
- Long-spanning shelving available for maximum versatility
Have a mezzanine floor constructed
If you’ve already used up the storage space that warehouse racking has offered you, then mezzanine floor installation would be the next step for you. This is also a great option if your premises are somewhat lacking in space.
Mezzanine floors are also considered to be the most viable option for those looking to expand their business without having to sell their current facility in a bid to purchase a larger site.
Not only is mezzanine floor construction a more cost-effective solution than selling and buying a warehouse, it’s also an effective option that’ll see you maximising space throughout your facility for many years to come.
Multy Lift has a wealth of experience in the material handling industry. With over 35 years of knowledge and expertise to draw upon, you’ll always be able to count on the professionals over at Multy Lift to provide you with high-calibre warehouse equipment, including new and used forklifts, and superior storage solutions, such as warehouse racking and mezzanine floor construction. For more information, get in touch with a member of their team today – they’re always on hand to help.
