A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Storage Solutions Your Business Could Utilise

Efficient workplace organisation is key to keeping your business running smoothly. But depending on your industry, the size of your premises and the types of materials you carry, certain storage solutions will be more suitable than others.

To help you find and plan for your ideal commercial or industrial storage system, we’ve put together a simple yet comprehensive guide to the different options available.

The storage experts at Racking + Shelving Ltd provide a wide range of custom storage solutions to businesses throughout Northern Ireland and the UK. For more advice on the types of storage that would best suit your business needs, contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.

Types of business storage systems

Storage lockers

Storage lockers are a versatile storage option that can fit any business. They provide an extra layer of security and help keep your workspace free of clutter.

You can use storage lockers to hold uniforms, media towers, janitorial equipment or any valuable goods that should be kept under lock and key. Or you can offer personal storage lockers to your employees as a play to keep personal belongings, paperwork, lunches and other items that would otherwise pile up on their desk. You can even provide them for use by the general public to keep their possessions secure while they use your facilities.

Metal cabinets

There are many types of metal cabinets to choose from, each with its own unique benefits for your business.

COSHH cabinets are designed to safely store hazardous materials. Medical cabinets are intended for first aid kits and other medical supplies. And generic metal cabinets are a great option for storing office supplies.

Metal cabinets also come in a range of sizes to suit your available space. They can be small enough to hang on a wall, or can stand alone as larger units. Specialist metal cabinets also carry suitable labelling so people can tell at a glance what kinds of equipment or substances they contain.

Metal shelves

Perhaps the most universal storage system, metal shelves are suitable for any workplace with unused wall space. Their sturdy design ensures metal shelves can take the weight of heavier products. By installing these from the start, you won’t need to pay for upgrades or replacements if you change what you store on them.

It’s often a good idea to install extra shelves if you have the space. That way, you can adapt quickly if you need to store more stock or other materials. Metal shelves can be integrated into storerooms, warehouses or even small office spaces as necessary to provide additional storage space.

Pallet shelves

For many logistics companies, products can be received, stored and shipped out on the very same pallets. So rather than unload the deliveries you receive, it’s often much easier to store the pallets as they are on specialised pallet shelves.

These shelves must be built to withstand heavy loads, especially when multiple pallets are stored on the same rack. This allows you to speed up the shelving process, and makes it very easy for forklifts to lift and place pallets as necessary.

Cantilever shelves

Cantilever shelves feature long arms that allow you to store long, bulky or awkward materials that are difficult to keep elsewhere. They have a high weight capacity, meaning you can make effective use of your entire space.

This type of shelving is most suitable for sheet materials, lumber, carpets, appliances, pipes, tubes and other larger or lengthy objects.

Mezzanine floors

Sometimes, shelves aren’t enough to provide the storage space you need. If you find yourself with a great deal of overhead space, consider installing a mezzanine floor. This is a fabricated level in between two main floors of your premises, allowing you to make effective use of your vertical space.

Installing a mezzanine floor is much safer than stacking more and more items on top of one another. And it reduces the risk of stock damage and worker injury. From the raised position, it’s also much easier to observe what’s happening throughout the floor below.

Small parts storage

Storing larger products is primarily about finding efficient space in which to keep them. But when you handle a wide mix of small parts and products, it’s important to keep them separate and track them effectively to prevent waste and loss.

There are plenty of small parts storage options available for keeping mechanical components, pharmaceuticals, stationery, minerals and other little objects well organised. This also allows your employees to locate the materials they need quickly, and to return them to a specific spot rather than leaving them loose in the workspace.

Self-storage units

Any unused space in your commercial or industrial premises is a great fit for self-storage unit construction. By converting the space to suit your storage needs, you can keep stock or important documentation secure even in long-term storage.

If you don’t need the additional storage space, you can always rent out your converted self-storage units to other people. This is a low-cost, low-risk way to bring in extra money for your business.

How to choose the right storage system

When selecting a new storage solution for your business, there are 3 main things to keep in mind:

• What will be stored: This will be the biggest factor in your decision. Consider how much space your products will take up, and whether they’ll be stored in boxes or as individual items. If you have multiple small items, you may wish to keep them in neatly labelled bins to make them easier to locate.
• Product weight: The heavier your products, the stronger your shelving needs to be. Shelving is generally given a uniformly distributed load (UDL) capacity to clarify how much weight the shelves can handle. Once you determine how much space each product will take up and how many will fit on a single shelf, you can calculate the approximate weight rating you’ll need. Always plan for a little more weight than necessary to ensure your shelves won’t collapse.
• How often you’ll need access: If you’re storing items for a long period of time, you can install taller and deeper shelving units. But if your employees will need to access products on a regular basis, you need to ensure they’re easy to reach. This is also affected by the type of workspace you have. Warehouse pallets are often retrieved with forklifts, whereas office shelves need to be accessible to all staff without specialist equipment.

Plan your new storage solution

Now that you’ve established the type of storage you need, it’s time to plan your installation.

Measure your space carefully and draw up a plan including anything that will affect where shelves can be placed, such as doors or pipes. Remember to leave plenty of room between your shelving units for people to move and lift products freely. And make sure you know what your largest product is and whether or not you’ll need to get a forklift up and down the aisles.

For custom storage solutions that meet your business needs in any available space, speak with the storage design and installation experts at Racking + Shelving Ltd. We can recommend the most effective storage solutions for your needs and can visit your facility to take accurate measurements on your behalf. With our help, you can maximise storage space for your business at a competitive price completely stress free.

Contact us today for your free no-obligation consultation.