In the life cycle of every business, a period that every manager looks forward to is one of business growth and expansion. Whether it’s expanding into a new market, adding more products and services or offering new sales channels, growth is always welcome. But many businesses find it difficult to take full advantage of the opportunities.

With peak approaching, warehouses are getting closer to their full capacity and the prospect of growth doesn’t seem as rosy as it once was. With pallets piling up in aisles and pickers wasting time looking for SKUs, it’s not hard to see why. Warehouses generally record a reduction in productivity levels once the storage capacity passes the 80-90% level.

If congested docks, packed operating aisles, mixed-up SKU pallets sound like a typical day at your facility, then you should read this article for a solution. There’s a possibility that your facility’s constraint may be due to usage of the wrong type of warehouse storage.

The perennial problem of having the right type of warehouse storage can be solved by understanding the available options, their pros, cons and best uses. This article will give an overview of available options, but for a more detailed explanation, contact Monarch Limited today.

Warehouse storage is commonly divided into one of four categories:

1.Bulk Storage

This is the ‘cheapest’ and most basic form of warehouse storage, and uses no extra equipment. SKU’s are stored on the building floor, several pallets deep and can be stacked depending on the product type.

Using bulk storage has a few downsides, such as the low space utilization that ensues, the increased chance of toppling of stacked products and possible product damage. Pickers also complain that getting around the pallet grids can become cumbersome.

Best Use:

• When ceiling height prevents vertical rack use,
• When the products don’t follow FIFO or LIFO sequencing,
• When storage density is not a concern.

2.Pallet Racking

Contrary to its name, pallet racking allows the storage of both palletized and non-palletized goods; they also allow more goods to be stored in the same space as bulk storage would have taken. Pallet racking comes in different sizes and configurations, making them extremely versatile. Common options are narrow aisle, double deep, drive-in, cantilever, pushback, very narrow aisle (VNA).

The choice of pallet racking depends on a number of factors, including the level of accessibility required, availability of lift trucks, whether LIFO or FIFO is preferred, size/bulk of the product carried etc. Each type of racking has its pros, cons and best uses; for example cantilever racking is best used in a facility that deals with long products, such as lumber.

For more information on the best type of racking for your business, contact Monarch Limited today.

3. Shelving

Typically smaller in size than pallet racking, shelving is used in areas where space utilization is important, but space is at a premium. They are classed as either wide span shelving or industrial shelving. Their small footprint belies the fact that they can offer more storage at shelf level. They can use dividers and drawers to increase their storage capacities. Shelving can also be stacked to form ‘mini’ mezzanines in a bid to maximize vertical storage.

Best Use:

•  In automotive and electronics industries for small parts picking.
• For storage of cartons, bins or totes.
• Wider span shelving is used to store loose but bulky SKUs.

4. Pallet Live Racking and Carton Flow

These storage systems use a combination of gravity and roller tracks to provide high levels# of storage density. They can be expensive to install as they require add-ons like a wheeled track or the construction of an inclined roller system etc. Like bulk storage, they can also ake up a large floor area.

These systems are best used for stock that needs to be hand-loaded and picked.

The choice of storage system can also depend on the available warehouse space, consistency of product sizes, SKU quantity, SKU velocity etc. Warehouse storage options are numerous but the best part is they can often be combined to create the best solution for your business.

Contact Monarch Limited today for an expert view on the best type of storage for your business. Whether you want to use new or refurbished pallet racking, Monarch can help optimise your storage and take advantage of available business opportunities.