If you’ve ever set foot in a fast-paced and highly efficient warehouse, you know how messy things can get if there’s a lack of proper organisation. Whether that’s due to a lack of space or inadequate storage solutions, this can lead to major inefficiencies and ultimately impact the general operations of a warehouse.
Even if you haven’t witnessed that firsthand, you can probably imagine how chaotic it can get trying to keep track of inventory, packing and shipping orders, and maintaining a smooth flow of goods in those scenarios. Given the sheer size and scale of most of these buildings, it’s no surprise that proper organisation is crucial to ensuring optimal productivity. While trolleys and forklifts may be the well-known stars of these facilities, having proper industrial storage equipment for your goods is equally important.
What Kinds of Industrial Storage Solutions Are There?
Depending on the exact industry, products or services provided, and the overall layout of a warehouse, there are various types of industrial shelving units to cater to different needs. Some may be more suitable for small parts and tools, while others accommodate larger items or heavy loads.
Pegboard and Louvre Panels
Starting with the basics, pegboard and louvre panels are simple yet versatile storage solutions for smaller items that need to be easily accessible. These consist of metal or plastic perforated boards with hooks or bins attached, allowing for quick organisation and efficient use of wall space. They’re usually found in tool rooms or maintenance areas, but they can also be used for displaying products in retail settings.
Pallet Packing Accessories
For warehouses dealing with large volumes of goods and pallets, investing in pallet packing accessories is a must. These include stackable stillage cages, column guards, mesh decks, and pallet gates, all of which help protect your inventory while maximising warehouse space.
To be more specific, column guards shield pallet racking systems from unintentional damage by forklifts and other equipment, while stillage cages are stackable, collapsible metal containers with a 2000 kg capacity that are perfect for storing large or irregularly shaped objects.
As for mesh decks, these can be placed on top of pallet racking to create a solid surface for storing smaller items that cannot fit between the beams. Lastly, pallet gates are used to secure loading areas and walkways while allowing easy access to goods being moved with a forklift.
Plastic Handling Solutions
For warehouses that deal with perishable or sensitive goods, plastic handling solutions are essential. Plastic pallets, crates, and bins are hygienic, lightweight, durable and can be easily cleaned and disinfected for reuse. They can also contribute to more sustainable practices by reducing the need for single-use packaging materials like cardboard or wooden crates.
Now, some options may have an edge over others, depending on factors such as cost, durability, or specific industry requirements. For instance, stack and nest crate dollies are quite resilient in terms of weight and impact resistance but may not hold up as well to extreme temperature changes.
Trays and Stor-Pak Bins
If traditional shelving units are not the best fit for your storage needs, trays and Stor-Pak bins can provide an alternative solution. Trays are commonly used in industries like healthcare or pharmaceuticals to store smaller medical supplies, while Stor-Pak bins are more suitable for picking and packing operations. These also come with dividers and labels for ease of use and better organisation, in addition to their stackable nature and lightweight design.
Let’s say you need to store a variety of small parts, like nuts, bolts, and screws. You can have different bins for each type, with labels or colour-coded dividers indicating the contents of each bin, saving you precious time and effort when looking for specific items. This saves space and reduces the risk of misplacing or losing items.
Heavy-Duty Shelving
As the name suggests, heavy-duty shelving is designed to store heavier items or large volumes of goods with ease. These are usually made of steel and can be customized to fit specific storage needs by adjusting shelf heights or adding optional accessories like dividers, drawers, or bins.
When you have designated shelves for specific items, it becomes easier to keep track of inventory and retrieve them when needed. Plus, this type of shelving can withstand heavy loads without bending or warping, which means it’s more than capable of handling the demands of a busy warehouse.
Some of them even have separate compartments for different sizes or types of goods, making it easier to maintain an organised and tidy workspace. In addition, heavy-duty shelving can come in various forms, like open, closed, or mobile units, catering to different storage requirements.
Storage Cages
Storage cages are a great option for inventory control and preventing theft or damage to goods. They are enclosed metal or wire mesh containers that can be padlocked and used to store items that need extra security, like expensive equipment, hazardous chemicals, or confidential documents. Storage cages also provide additional security for valuable goods.
Of course, they’re not as versatile as other storage options and may require a larger upfront investment. However, when it comes to safeguarding your inventory and keeping things organised, storage cages can be a valuable addition to your warehouse.
Industrial Cabinets and Benches
Last but not least, cabinets and benches are two essential pieces of industrial storage equipment because they act as workstations and dedicated storage spaces. Cabinets are lockable and come in various sizes and configurations to store tools, parts, or other items that require a secure yet easily accessible space. They’re also useful for keeping things out of sight and reducing clutter in open working areas.
Benches, on the other hand, are multipurpose workstations that can be used for packing, inspecting, or assembling goods. They come in a range of sizes and styles to meet your warehouse’s unique requirements, and some models even have built-in shelves or drawers for enhanced efficiency and better use of available space.