Keeping your warehouse running at optimum efficiency can be a tough job. A facilities manager has to manage logistics, people and inventory, as well as a multitude of other aspects. It can be tempting to move the business to a larger or better equipped site in an effort to maximise efficiency, but almost any warehouse can be run smoothly with the right expertise behind its design and feature installation.
At Spaceway we offer a wide range of solutions for your warehouse, backed up with 40 years of knowledge and expertise. Here are just a few ways that we can help you to avoid an expensive move and truly get the most out of the building you already have.
Planning and Design
Planning the design of your warehouse is the most important aspect when trying to get the most out of it. A well-thought-out design means that not only does the installation and build happen quickly and efficiently, but that the components work as desired.
We work closely with our clients to fully understand their specific requirements, so we can make sure we give them the very best solution. We use the latest CAD software so that the design for the finished warehouse and the new, better and more efficient space can be seen clearly.
The only way is up
When in doubt, build up. Warehouses typically have very high ceilings and although it’s possible to build shelves and racking up the sides of your building, it becomes trickier in the middle. In our experience, having too many rows up and down the warehouse can make operating a forklift around the area a nightmare.
Mezzanine floors mean that you can utilise even more of your space. Racking can be built above and below a mezzanine, and could also house your facility office.
When working with boat transportation and freight forwarding company PSP, we designed a mezzanine floor with a wide span grid and much taller columns than standard that enabled it to store large crates under the structure with ease. The first floor also used the full potential of the available headroom by expanding into an office.
Reachable racking
Getting the right racking and shelving for your warehouse is crucial. There is a wide range of racking types that could revolutionise the logistics of your space.
For example, drive-in pallet racking is a great solution if storage capacity is a prime requirement. It essentially eliminates aisles and lanes and creates a much higher storage density. This can increase speed as forklifts have greater freedom of movement under the racking and also increases inventory capacity due to the lack of aisles.
Mobile pallet racking is also another option for maximising space used in a warehouse. It allows usage of up to 95% of the warehouse space and is increasingly relevant in the drive for lower warehouse cost. The system allows the operator to open the aisle required with a single command which means you only need to leave 5% of the warehouse clear.
To discuss how you can make the most out of your current warehouse space, get in touch with Spaceway’s team of experts on: 0800 085 1022