Most businesses will, at some stage, experience the need to expand their current warehouse or upsize / downsize to deal with their current (and future) business requirements. This can be a daunting task, but there are a few key things to consider that can help the process run smoothly. Whilst it may be obvious what the solution is, there will also be times where the obvious solution isn’t the best suited for the business.
Generally, the decision to move or expand isn’t taken overnight as there will be a lot of capital investment requirement so it makes sense to spend time to find a warehouse specialist who can work with the business to find the best solution. There are a number of ways to find suitable companies, such as an internet search, peer referrals, trade publications or prior knowledge and experience. The important thing is to find a company that will listen to your requirements and work with you to find the ideal solution.
Questions to consider
Below are some of the things it is important to consider prior to the project beginning:
Understand your needs – do you need extra storage space within your current warehouse or is it too small and you need to find new premises? Or are you keeping your existing site and adding an extra unit? Are you storing the same products or has your portfolio changed and you need a different type of storage system? Has a racking inspection identified issues that need addressing and you’re looking for new racking to improve the safety of your warehouse? Do you have unused height within your warehouse that you want to utilise?
Work out your budget – knowing how much you have available to invest will allow you to find the right solution for your business. It is best to get more than one quote as a comparison, but also as a second supplier may offer a more optimised solution. And remember, when the quotes come in, the cheapest might not always be the best. It is important to get the solution that works best for your business, not simply the one that comes in at the lowest value.
What is the solution?
Once you are able to identify what is driving your need for a new warehouse storage solution and how much investment you have, you can start to look at the options available.
Explore the options – do you need shelving, racking or a mezzanine? Or a mix of these? Is automation an option, in terms of requirement, space and cost? What machinery do you currently use and will these be compatible with the new solution – for example, a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking system might provide greater storage capacity but also require a new fork truck to access goods. Does the solution provide future proofing for the business, allowing for further growth?
Call in the experts
There are a number of storage solutions available, and trying to work out the one that works best for your business can be tricky. So it makes sense to speak with a warehouse storage specialist who will be able to arrange a site survey, discuss the requirements and available options, produce a bespoke design with CAD model to show how the lay out, and supply a quote for supply and installation.
Quickline have experience of providing solutions that maximise storage capacity in warehouses of all sizes. We provide a free, no obligation site survey, and our bespoke designs will provide the solution that works best for your business. We can provide a turnkey solution and will project manage the installation from start to finish.