Optimizing your current warehouse storage solutions can help boost productivity and maximize profits while lowering operational costs for your facility. The first place you should start is by redesigning and re-configuring your pallet storage systems to accommodate your evolving inventory requirements. It’s important to keep in mind that every warehouse or storage facility is different and there’s no one-size-fits all warehouse storage solution that works for every facility.
Types of Warehouse Storage Solutions
There are a number of factors you need to consider when selecting the most appropriate, feasible, and budget-friendly storage solutions for your warehouse. Square footage, type of inventory, package sizes, and volume are all important factors. But you also need to consider the size of your floor crew and how to maintain or improve safety standards for them. With all of that in mind, here are some of the most common warehouse storage solutions that are recommended by the experts.
Pallet Racking Systems
Larger warehouses and storage facilities with wide aisles benefit greatly from adjustable pallet racking systems. These storage units are capable of housing large amounts of inventory. They’re easy to navigate and leave plenty of room in the aisles for material handling equipment to safely pass through.
Pallet racking systems also reduce wasted floor space as they allow for more vertical storage.
Automating Storage Solutions
Artificial intelligence and automated storage and retrieval systems are being increasingly adopted by warehouse facilities around the globe. Automatic handling equipment such as pallet conveyor systems and stacker cranes are used to quickly move inventory in and out of storage facilities as needed. This speeds up operational functionality, increases inventory stacking accuracy, and increases safety standards for employees.
Wire Containers
Wire containers or partitions are a lot like cages or baskets. They’re typically used to store non-breakable oddly shaped items such as rubber balls, tires, industrial supplies, consumer goods, and more. Some wire containers are collapsible for easy storage and reduced space wastage when they’re not in use. Wire containers with wheels on the bottom are great for retrieving and moving multiple items quickly without having to use a forklift or other material handling machinery.
Traditional Shelving Units
Traditional shelving units in warehouses are ubiquitous. There are two types: static and mobile. Static shelving units are affixed to a structural element, typically a wall in the warehouse. Mobile shelving units are usually on wheels and can be moved around.
Mezzanines
If you have a particularly large warehouse with massive inventory inflow and outflow at any given time, then you could benefit from adding a mezzanine. A mezzanine allows you to essentially build an additional floor or storage space in your warehouse. The upfront costs are high, but the long-term cost and space savings can help maximize your operational functionality. In the long run, a mezzanine pays for itself.
Carton Flow Racks
Carton flow racks are used to store various items that you’d typically find on a store shelf or fridge (e.g., milk, juice cartons, bottled water, etc.). The sloped design allows for the next product in the row to be pushed forward when the item at the front is removed. Items with longer best before or expiration dates are usually stored in the back. These are perfect for fast moving items or first-in-first-out inventory.
Where to Get Quality Warehouse Racking in Toronto, Ontario
Canadian Rack Technologies Inc. is one of the leading distributors of high-quality and fully customizable storage racks in Toronto, Ontario. We’ve worked with a number of warehouses across the province over the years to help maximize their operations and improve space efficiency. Contact us today to learn more about our products.
About: Kevin Ausman
Kevin Ausman is the founder of Canadian Rack Technologies. He has over 30 years of experience in providing safe and efficient turn-key storage solutions and he specializes in pallet racking, pick systems, industrial shelving, mezzanines, cantilever racks, and more. Kevin is dedicated to providing great customer service, listening to client’s needs, and supplying the best products available.