Five ways to improve your racking systems
For businesses worldwide, finding the perfect storage solution is essential to optimising workplace efficiency. From stacking shelves in supermarkets to finding important documentation in offices, being able to find the right stock and other items quickly and efficiently is fundamental to maintaining a high level of professionalism. This, in turn, will help you implement a good workflow and a positive company reputation.
This is especially true for businesses that focus primarily on the supply and demand of goods, as streamlining their industrial storage solutions is key to achieving rapid stock turnover. If staff members have to spend time locating the right warehouse section, only to be confronted by a messy, unorganised pile of stock, they’re likely to fall behind schedule and struggle to work at maximum efficiency.
Taking the time to improve your warehouse’s racking and shelving systems will have a whole host of benefits for you and your employees, so consider these five top tips from us at Racking + Shelving.
Evaluate your current shelving and racking solutions
Whether you’re storing boxes of building supplies or stock for a local supermarket, it’s likely that you’ll already have rows of industrial racks or heavy-duty shelving in place to keep your goods off the ground and ready for shipment.
But, how do you know if you’re using the right system? Could your current system be causing delays in your supply chain? It may sound obvious, but considering these questions and evaluating your current storage solutions is a simple yet effective way to make improvements.
Choosing the right warehouse racking and shelving isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution; there are many different options available to you, each with their own set of advantages and limitations. It’s always best to get a professional opinion from your racking and shelving suppliers, but here’s a basic guide to some of the industrial storage solutions on the market:
● Push back pallet racking – This system organises four pallets in a vertical line and is installed on an incline, meaning the pallets slide to the unloading station automatically when the pallet in front is removed. Ideal for goods with a medium turnover rating.
● Adjustable pallet racking – Adjustable racking is a versatile solution that can be altered to fit a range of different product shapes and sizes. It can be used alongside forklift trucks for extra ease and convenience.
● Drive-in pallet racking – This system, which makes the most of vertical and horizontal space, is ideal for storing a large volume of the same product. Forklift trucks can drive through the racking to collect and deposit goods.
● Cantilever racking – Ideal for storing long, heavy items, this system is composed of vertical columns with arm-like beams for laying products across.
● Multi-tier shelving – Multi-tier shelving is an ideal large-scale storage solution for a high volume – and density – of products. You can also add walkways between shelving to allow staff to walk freely among the storage.
● Carton live shelving – A top choice for warehouses housing stock with a quick turnover. When goods are taken from the shelf, the next product slides down the incline automatically into the unloading station.
Considering what stock you need to handle, including volume, fragility and turnover, can help you choose the ideal storage solutions for your business. Replacing your current solutions may seem like a time-consuming and complicated process, but it’s an investment which could save you a significant amount of time and energy in the long term.
Consider the layout of your storage racks
Whatever building you work in, whether it’s an office, library or industrial warehouse, making the most of the space available is key to improving your storage solutions. Failing to make the most of your space could see you overloading your shelving with goods, making it difficult for your employees to find what they need and potentially shortening the lifespan of your storage.
First of all, consider which part of the warehouse you use to receive and ship goods as you can then decide where to put them. When making this decision, consider the flow of each product; products in high demand are probably better placed closest to the door for quick and efficient movement, whereas products with a slower turnaround probably don’t need to be stored within arm’s reach.
In addition to this, consider placing your industrial racks in rows rather than shorter segments. This will keep your storage together and reduce the time spent moving between the shelving. Although lengths are ideal, try to avoid pushing your shelving flat against the wall. It may create the illusion of a wide, open warehouse, but you will also be limiting accessibility for your employees.
By evaluating your current work layout you will also be able to spot weaknesses. Are you using too much floor space? This may cause an overload of traffic on the ground and limit accessibility, as employees and forklifts navigate through narrow walkways to reach the racking they need. If this is the case, consider opting for vertical storage options. Making sure you have the right balance between vertical and horizontal storage can help you optimise your space and streamline the loading/unloading process.
Welcome employee feedback
Choosing the ideal shelving and the perfect layout are essential to improving your current racking system, but it’s no use if your employees aren’t on board with the changes you’re making. You’ll also need to consider what works for them to really improve your racking systems.
After all, your employees are the people who come into contact with the racking and shelving day in, day out. If there are any issues with your current storage solutions, it is them who will be the first to point them out. For example, if your team are finding it difficult to navigate forklifts through your drive-in racking, you may need to widen the aisles and readjust the formation of the shelves. Similarly, if your adjustable racking has begun to weaken, you may need to replace or repair the structure for the safety of your staff.
Give your team the opportunity to discuss your shelving and racking systems and you may be surprised at what they suggest, not to mention the effect the changes might have on employee satisfaction. Consider each suggestion and don’t be afraid to make changes you hadn’t previously thought of.
Implement a labelled shelving system
No matter how much thought has gone into the layout of your industrial warehouse, it’s not enough to rely on infrastructure for efficiency and work productivity. The right shelving just won’t work if you don’t organise your inventory effectively, so make sure you put together a fool-proof labelling system for you and your team to stick to. This will reduce the time it takes for your team to collect and deposit stock, as they’ll know exactly what it is and where it goes.
When you’re thinking of a new labelling system, consider the following:
●List the product’s name, size, weight and SKU (stock keeping unit).
●Consistency is key. Always put your labels in the same position on every rack, pallet and box of goods so they’re easy to find.
●Keep the necessary information to just one label. Your employees don’t want to waste time looking for the product’s name or weight when they’re in a hurry.
●Don’t add unnecessary details. If the product only comes in one colour, you probably don’t need to list this information on the box.
●Better still, invest in scannable barcodes for quick and easy product recognition.
Install a mezzanine floor
From considering product flow to employee accessibility, there are many factors to consider when improving your warehouse racking solutions. As we discussed previously, one of the most important things to do is to make sure that you have optimised your warehouse floor space completely, making the most of all available space in a way that’s efficient, useful and safe.
Using your warehouse’s vertical space is one of the most effective ways to achieve this, and there are lots of shelving models which allow for upwards storage. However, to really benefit from your current workspace, without having to relocate to a larger area, consider installing a mezzanine layer.
From retail centres to industrial warehouses, mezzanine layers are ideal for a variety of different businesses. Mezzanine floors give you space to install extra shelves and racking so that you can store a higher volume of goods while simultaneously spreading out your storage. By moving some of your racks upstairs, you can prevent the potential hazards of overcrowding and overloading your current storage solutions while still making the most of your space.
Racking + Shelving: Shelves, pallet racks and other reliable storage solutions for commercial and domestic applications
At Racking + Shelving, we understand just how important effective storage solutions are for increasing workplace efficiency and employee productivity. We also know what it takes to improve your current racking systems and find the perfect solution for you. That’s why we’re dedicated to supplying and installing robust and reliable storage solutions for commercial and domestic applications.
From pallet racks to partitions, storage cabinets to mezzanine floors, we have everything you need to implement effective storage solutions that stand the test of time. In fact, we even offer ongoing maintenance work and equipment inspections to make sure that your structures remain in the best possible condition over the years.
Get in touch with our friendly team to see how we could help you today.
