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Choosing the right commercial storage racks for your facility will allow you to maximize your warehouse space down to the last square foot. Many facilities invest in only basic racking systems, feeling confident that as long as weight capacities are not exceeded, their storage needs are met. Actually, much more can be done with less square footage if you will do three simple things.
First, if you take a second look at wall areas, they may find many places where shelving systems can be safely installed. Secondly, a reexamination of the vertical cube may reveal that more storage area can be created by moving upward, rather than outward. Finally, if you think applications, they can find better racking systems for the various storage challenges they are faced with.
Wall areas are often the most underutilized areas in a warehouse. Since most of the larger commercial storage racks are positioned with aisle space between them, wall areas tend to be fitted with basic shelves that are used to store tools, small items, replacement parts, and industrial fluids. A large section of the average wall like this is either empty or cluttered with miscellaneous items stacked on the floor. This wasted space can be converted into premier storage areas with steel shelving systems that are manufactured for specific material storage needs.
Another way to maximize warehouse space is to examine your main storage areas in close detail. Many organizations have invested in standard wide span shelving systems to store everything from light to heavy materials. The weight capacities and accessibility of the better wide span shelves is unquestionable. However, their utilization of the vertical cube is typically insufficient.
These shelves can be replaced with high density commercial storage racks and pallet racks that rise higher into the vertical cube. (Often companies keep these shelves and simply move them along wall areas). Anything palletized can then be stored here and easily retrieved by fork trucks. This can easily double or triple even an average sized storage area. Racks allow you to organize and itemize your inventory per pallet, as well as retrieve it safely and quickly.
If, after assessing your vertical cube, you realize that there is a great deal of area that can be transformed into storage space, then the next task is to itemize the various applications that you need the rack for. All types of systems now exist that are engineered for various types of materials stored on pallets. In many cases, custom systems can be built with used equipment at a significant discount. Pallet flow, drive in, and push back styles are just three examples you can consider.
If you are storing asymmetrical or cylindrical materials, you may also consider cantilever style commercial storage racks. Pipe and lumber can be quickly consolidated on a cantilever system, freeing up large sections of floor space and creating a safer work environment in the process. Inventory control is also a great deal easier with cantilever systems when you are working with something like pipe or lumber.
Easy Rack will be happy to help you find the right storage rack system for your facility. Simply call us with the details of your building a detailed list of your material inventory.
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