4 Hacks to Maximize Your Warehouse Storage Space
When using a warehouse to store materials or products from your business, one of the main challenges is how to maximize your warehouse storage. With warehouse space at a premium these days, the last thing you want to do is underuse the room that has been allocated to you. Doing so could become very expensive.
When you don’t have enough room for all the products you need to store, retrieving them is a nightmare. Every time you want to access something, other items will need to be moved and then put back. Occasionally, some of these items are stored in aisles meant to stay empty.
This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, leading to various issues such as delays in order fulfillment and compromised worker safety.
When you maximize your warehouse storage, not only will you cut costs, but you will also avoid the extra work and safety risks that stem from excessive congestion!
What are some of the best ways to maximize your warehouse storage space?
To improve order fulfillment efficiency, decrease costs, and boost worker safety, you must maximize your warehouse storage space. Fortunately, following certain procedures and using specific warehouse storage techniques will help make this possible.
The following are some of the most effective tips and tricks to consider when maximizing warehouse storage space is a concern:
-
Calculate current warehouse space usage and potential space usage.
To optimize the space, you have access to in a warehouse, the first and most crucial step is knowing exactly how much room you have to work with. First, calculate the facility’s total square footage minus any areas that are for office space, restrooms, etc., and then multiply this by the warehouse’s clear height.
Next, calculate your storage area size by multiplying the length and width of the outer dimensions of the racking by the highest load, doing separate calculations if you have access to different areas with different load heights.
Once you know how much space there is in your storage area, divide that number by the total warehouse size. Next, multiply that by 100 to determine the percentage of the warehouse that could be potentially used for storage.
Add up the volume of all the products stored in your warehouse by the storage area size and multiply it by 100 to get an idea of your space utilization. These numbers will show the areas where improvement is needed.
-
Try extending the racks vertically.
One obvious way to maximize your warehouse storage space is to extend the storage racks upward as high as possible. Most newer storage warehouses have ESFR fire-suppression sprinkler systems on the ceiling, but as long as the racks are not within 18 inches of such a system, you will not have to worry.
When deciding on the type of racks to use, consider the kind of items that you must store. This will be an important decision to ensure maximum storage, efficiency, and safety.
Pallet racks are one of the best rack types for maximizing your storage space. If you have a variety of inventory items, you can easily move them with a forklift. However, when using the first in, first out (FIFO) inventory processes, you may prefer carton flow racks. These push down older inventory to make it more accessible.
On the other hand, if you have longer inventory items, such as piping, lumber, or steel trusses, then cantilever racks may be the best option.
-
Install a mezzanine.
Another great way to maximize your warehouse storage potential is by installing a mezzanine. Say above a floor-level process like a shipping or receiving area. This will essentially make it possible to double your floor space.
Adding a mezzanine can be much better and easier than extending the building itself. As long as your floor loading can handle it, and the mezzanine’s structure does not get in the way of the process below.
-
Use a variety of containers fitted to the items they store.
It is common for unpackaged parts to be stored in containers on shelves in the warehouse. Often, a one-size-fits-all container is used for this storage method.
That means there is wasted space inside the containers. To avoid this, it is important to have a variety of storage container sizes on hand.
Start by sorting your items according to their size. Next place and fill the containers according to their size. To keep these varied containers organized, store the smaller ones in one area and the bigger ones in another.
Before you know it, you will have more room available because you will be using the space more efficiently.
How Wills Transfer can make it easier to Maximize Your Warehouse Storage Space
An alternative to figuring out how to maximize storage warehousing space on your own is trusting your storage to a third-party provider like Wills Transfer Limited. When you trust us to handle all of your storage needs, you can be sure we will maximize your warehouse storage space.
We own and operate over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial storage warehouse space in Eastern Ontario. Plus, our distribution centers have more than 75 years of experience under our belt.
Our warehouses are all equipped with top-of-the-line inventory management systems and high-quality security systems. In addition, our team of warehousing experts have plenty of experience storing inventory of all kinds. Thus, no matter what types of products you have to store and what your demands are, we can meet them.
For more information about the measures, we take to maximize your warehouse storage space call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here.
