How warehouse racking can optimise your current storage space

When you think of warehouses, you may picture cramped conditions, disorganised piles of stock and employees working frantically amidst the chaos. However, with innovative technologies and efficient storage systems, working in a warehouse doesn’t have to be this way. Finding and implementing ways to keep your warehouse organised is integral to increasing workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction, so it’s no surprise that warehouse managers invest in time-saving solutions and technologies to acheive this.

From smart watches (used to count footsteps and track employee efficiency) to automated stock pickers (meaning employees don’t have to use physical labour at all), technology truly has found its way into warehouses across the globe. However, one of the most effective methods of optimising time and space in the workplace is perhaps one of the simplest: installing industrial racking and shelving solutions on your warehouse floor.

There are many benefits to installing industrial racks and shelves, but one of the most valuable to warehouse managers is the fact they can be used to optimise your current storage space. When making a profit is your number one priority, making the most of every inch of your workspace is a necessity. After all, wasted space is wasted money, and you don’t want to be spending on extra warehouse space if you don’t really need it.

So, with this in mind, what could warehouse racking do for your business? As storage experts based in Antrim, we at Racking + Shelving discuss how the right solutions could help you optimise your current space.

Warehouse racking and shelving can help you:

Make the most of floor space

Unless you commissioned the building of your company’s industrial warehouse yourself, the chances are you didn’t have a say in the construction of your workspace, and have therefore learnt to work around all awkward corners, narrow corridors and anything else that gets in the way of your day to day work. No matter what architectural hurdles you may experience when deciding on the layout of your warehouse, it’s imperative to take advantage of every bit of floor space so as not to waste valuable room.

When arranged carefully, warehouse racking can help you make the most of your floor space and ensure no corners are left unused. Here are some of the ways a professional shelving company will optimise your warehouse space:

● Position your pallet racking in long rows rather than arranging your shelving in short sections to make the most of your floor space. Unless the spaces between your racking are there for a reason, they’re simply wasting valuable room.

● Refrain from positioning your racking against the wall, as this cuts accessibility by half! Make it as easy as possible for your employees to get to your stock by permitting access on both sides of the shelving.

● Measure the space between each rack and make sure there’s room for employees to move comfortably (or navigate forklifts, if necessary) but be careful not to leave gaps that are larger than necessary.

Although industrial shelving has traditionally followed an “L” shape structure, it’s time to move away from this to find bespoke solutions for individual warehouses. Different types of racking and warehouse layouts are best-suited to different types of stock, so it’s important to find the right styles for your requirements rather than opting for a “one size fits all” solution.

Take advantage of vertical space

Making the most of your floor space is imperative, but it’s also important to take advantage of your warehouse’s vertical space with well-designed and carefully positioned warehouse racking. After all, if you rely solely on your floor space to store every item of stock, you’ll soon find yourself running out of room as your business expands. As a result, your warehouse will likely become overcrowded and far too cramped for safe and efficient working.

Fortunately, there are many styles of warehouse racking than can help you utilise the vertical space that otherwise would have gone unused. Solutions such as pallet racking, metal shelving and cantilever racking are ideal for taking advantage of vertical space, as they can each be adapted according to your warehouse’s height and width requirements. By moving upwards, you’ll also be able to free up space on the work floor to make it a safer environment for your employees.

Prioritising the safety of your employees is essential at all times, so it’s important to make sure you don’t overload your racking solutions, especially at height. For this reason, mezzanine layers have become popular among many warehouse managers. With a mezzanine floor , you’ll be able to arrange rows of shelving and racking without adjusting your existing solutions or making major changes to your floor space. If your warehouse has a particularly high ceiling, you won’t be able to make the most of your vertical space safely, even with tall shelving solutions such as narrow aisle racking. However, with a mezzanine layer, you’ll have the opportunity to create easily accessible storage solutions while increasing your floor space by up to 50%.

Meet specific storage requirements

As every business is unique, every company needs unique storage solutions. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” layout for warehouses and workplaces, so you’ll need to spend time designing and implementing systems that work for you and your employees. What works for one business won’t necessarily work for yours, so finding bespoke solutions is the only way to ensure you’re making the most of your current storage space.

Designing and installing efficient storage solutions for your warehouse may seem challenging, but when you hire a professional racking company you’ll have everything taken care of for you. As professionals, they’ll know exactly what type of racking to place where, and what type of shelving will work best in the space you currently have.

Here are some of the factors a professional company will take into account when designing racking solutions for you:

● If you store lots of in-demand products with a fast turnaround, you may benefit most from push back racking for quick and efficient access to stock. Push back racking can also be used for speedy collection, as the new stock will automatically slide into the loading position when the pallet in front is removed.

● If you stock lots of the same items in bulk, drive-in racking may be the best option to allow for forklift access. By opting for double entry drive-in racking, you’ll also be able to maximise storage space by giving forklifts access from both sides.

● If you have limited aisle space, you may benefit from mobile racking. Mobile racking can be moved by the push of a button, allowing you to create aisles when necessary and close them when they aren’t needed. This means that, instead of having five or six aisles in place at all times, you can simply make access when necessary.

Racking + Shelving: Durable storage racks and industrial shelving solutions for domestic and commercial clients in Antrim

At Racking + Shelving, storage experts based in Antrim, we understand just how important finding the perfect storage solutions is for your warehouse. That’s why we offer a wide range of heavy-duty shelving and warehouse racking to help businesses optimise their current storage space, increase workplace productivity and create a safe working environment for all employees.

Whether you’re in need of adjustable pallet racking or comprehensive metal shelving solutions, our team of professionals will go above and beyond to find the perfect bespoke fittings for you. Our racks and shelves have been designed with durability and versatility in mind, so you can rest assured that they’ll stand the test of time while simplifying your employees’ daily tasks. We can even design and install a mezzanine floor to help you take advantage of the space you already have, instead of renting another warehouse to store your goods.

Is it time to update your current storage solutions? Look no further than Racking + Shelving for storage you can rely on. Get in touch with our team of professionals for more information today.