What Type of Storage Do You Need?

 Additional storage for your warehouse, office, retail store or other business premises is a great way to boost efficiency and create a safer, more enjoyable work environment.

There are dozens of storage options to choose from. So it can be tough to figure out what type of storage you need.

To help you make the right decision, here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular types of commercial and industrial storage solutions.

Types of storage solutions:

Pallet racking – For large logistics enterprises

Most warehouses and distribution centres organise their stock using pallet racking. This is a system of grouping goods on pallets for neat storage and easy distribution at various stages of the supply chain.

Pallet racks are made using a series of upright frames and cross beams to form shelves. Materials are organised in rows on these shelves across multiple levels, which are accessible using forklifts.

By maximising your use of vertical space, pallet racking lets you achieve your full storage potential. It also helps reduce loading and unloading times, as well as associated handling and transportation costs.

Keep reading: What is pallet racking?

Cantilever racking – For long, heavy objects

Not all logistics facilities handle materials that are easy to keep on pallet racks. Longer and heavier objects like pipes, timber, panel products, steel tubes and PVCu profiles are typically stored on cantilever racking.

While the upright frames of pallet racking limit the length of stored items, cantilever racking features open sides with objects stacked along arms rather than shelves. This lets you access long, heavy items more easily, saving time and money in storage and stock redistribution.

Keep reading: The advantages of cantilever racking

Shelving – Effective all-purpose storage

From warehouses and industrial environments to libraries, offices and schools, shelving is an effective storage solution for any workspace.

As well as standard shelves, there’s also a diverse range of options to suit your needs. That includes tyre racking, mobile shelving, library shelving, multitier shelving, longspan shelving and much more.

These robust and versatile storage options can easily be customised to suit your specific storage requirements and available space. They support high-calibre workplace organisation, enhancing productivity and reducing clutter that could lead to accidents and injuries.

Keep reading: How shelving can make the most out of your premises

Cupboards and cabinets – Enclosed for added security

Depending on the types of equipment you want to store, the open front of regular shelving options might be a problem. In these cases, fully enclosed cupboards and cabinets may be a better fit.

Strong and durable, these storage solutions let you safely store hazardous or toxic materials, medical equipment, PPE and other delicate assets with confidence. Even if you don’t handle these types of equipment, cupboards and cabinets still offer extra security for regular storage. And just like shelves, they can be custom built to suit any commercial or industrial workspace.

Keep reading: What are the advantages of using storage cabinets?

Lockers – Lock up your valuables

Similar to cupboards and cabinets, lockers offer fully enclosed storage, though often with fewer shelves to let you store larger items. The difference is that these storage solutions are lockable, letting employees and clients keep their personal valuables and other vital assets safe.

In schools, libraries, and leisure and sports facilities, lockers give people confidence that their belongings are being well cared for. This also helps improve the reputation of your business and create a sense of community. And in professional workspaces, lockers allow you to keep important equipment safe and secure.

At Racking + Shelving Ltd, we also supply a range of low access disability lockers. This ensures every person who visits your business can benefit from fair and equal storage opportunities.

Keep reading: What are the benefits of storage lockers in the workplace?

Small parts storage – Keep track of small objects

When you handle a large amount of small materials, it’s easy for them to clutter your workspace and get lost. This not only makes your enterprise less efficient, but also puts unnecessary strain on your budget.

By installing small parts storage, you make it easy to organise and track any small materials, from bolts and nails to pharmaceuticals and minerals. They’re suitable for all manner of commercial and industrial environments, helping you streamline your warehouse, stock room, garages, office or other workspace.

Small parts storage options include wire storage baskets, plastic storage boxes, flat-pack K bins, tilt boxes, louvre panels and more to meet your specific needs.

Keep reading: What is the best small parts storage solution for you?

Mezzanine floors – A whole new workspace

Most people don’t consider mezzanine floors as storage. But by creating an entirely new workspace, they open up new storage opportunities to improve your operational efficiency.

In premises with a great deal of vertical space, mezzanines create a freestanding intermediate floor between two main floors of a building. By increasing your total available space, they can also save you the cost of moving to a larger premises or extending as your business grows.

And when it’s time to move on, you can dismantle your mezzanine floor and re-erect it in your new facility. This ensures long-term working and storage benefits.

Keep reading: What is a mezzanine floor and how are they built?

Self-storage units – Repurpose your unused space

Sometimes, the issue isn’t that you don’t have enough space. Rather it’s that you have too much and it’s not being used efficiently.

Converting your unused space into self-storage units opens up plenty of opportunities for business growth. You could use your new space to carry additional stock or keep important documentation under lock and key. Or you could rent it out to create a passive revenue stream.

Whatever purpose you choose for your self-storage units, you can expect an excellent return on investment by maximising your profitable space.

Keep reading: How can space be better utilised with self-storage units?

Get high-quality custom storage solutions

Racking + Shelving Ltd offers all of these storage options and more across Northern Ireland and the UK, custom designed and installed to suit your needs and available space.

We’ve spent more than 20 years helping customers in a wide variety of sectors optimise their workplace efficiency and productivity. And now we want to do the same for you.

Get in touch with our expert team today for a free no-obligation consultation and quote to find the right type of storage for your business.