In any industrial environment storage is an important part of the operation. Too little storage or a less than efficient design opens the door to decreased productivity, which is never good for business. If you are looking to update your current storage system, make sure you know what to look for to get the most out of your efforts. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Portability
Do any of your materials need to be moved around to various locations around the building? If the response is yes, you want to look for storage solutions that offer portability. An option that falls into this category will generally come equipped with a wheel feature, allowing you to easily move it around.
Without this type of equipment, you would likely be required to physically remove each individual item when necessary, which isn't just time-consuming but also comes along with a higher risk for damage. A mobile unit eliminates both of these negatives.
Material Design
The design of the materials you plan to store away is also an important aspect to consider, especially when it comes to heavy or large materials. You can make your efforts easier by choosing a drive-in storage system for heavier materials.
As the name suggests, these storage systems allow you to easily drive a forklift up to the system and load or unload materials. With a traditional system, you can't get this close, requiring your team members to unload materials from the forklift and then load them onto the storage rack, which is also time-consuming.
Lifespan
If you are dealing with items that have a short lifespan, you want to choose an option that will allow you to easily see and prioritize the materials based on their expected expiration. A carton flow design is generally the best for this goal. Carton flow storage systems are rack systems that have slightly slanted shelves.
This design is important because each time you remove an item, the next item in line automatically slides down to the front, ensuring that you use it first. This can take much of the guesswork out of the material selection process since everything is already in order.
Choosing your storage solution is just as important a decision as any other equipment option you make. Make certain you're taking your time and considering the needs of the materials you plan to store to ensure you're choosing the right option for your needs.
