Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Self-supporting warehouse

When planning on the strategy and layout for building an optimized storage and distribution center, companies tend to first contemplate and compare the characteristics of different styles of shelving and racking systems to put in their warehouse. However, in this particular case, the racking system is what actually forms the warehouse itself. Rack supported warehouses are structures almost entirely composed of high density storage systems which also function as the actual structural support for the facility.

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What is a rack supported warehouse?

If you&#;ve never seen a rack supported warehouse, picture a structure completely formed by racks used in selective systems and then covered over with a unique and highly resistant shell. However, in this case, the racks are designed to be extremely resistant in order to be able to withstand the weight of the ceiling while simultaneously supporting the walls. In addition, automated and semi-automated systems are responsible for inventory handling.

When designing a self-supported structure with the goal of obtaining maximum height, it is recommended to utilize clad-rack systems in the main warehouse structure and then rely on traditional construction methods for building a lower structure for the other spaces required for the processing of orders.

Is the sky the limit?

Keep in mind that any warehouse can be designed with a rack supported structure, however the value of this architecture is most appreciated in structures over 43 feet in height (although warehouses can be built to over 148 feet high). In order to increase the cost-effectiveness of a project of this magnitude, it is ideal to take advantage of the maximum height permitted by local regulations.

Is there a legal limit which would potentially prevent you from constructing up to your desired structural height? No need to worry. Uniquely designed pits can be excavated for customized rack supported buildings which comply with the needs of your storage facility.

Are you located in an area prone to natural disasters?

Are you in an area which must periodically be prepared for earthquakes or hurricanes? These structures are highly resistant due to their unique architecture which allows for a diffusion of energy throughout the internal racking systems. However, the immense size and shape of rack supported warehouses means that special circumstances should be taken into consideration.

Extremely strong wind gusts and the accumulation of rooftop snow can be hazardous to the stability of the building. Local seismic activity should also be studied before you make a decision on the final design of your structure, as was in the case of one of the largest automated rack supported warehouses in Europe which Mecalux designed for Hayat Kimya in Turkey.

Why do I want a rack supported building?

• Completely optimized space utilization and reduced footprint.
• Allows for rapid construction of facility.
• Total investment required is less than an in-building installation
• Resistant to extreme weather and seismic conditions.
• Shorter time to obtain return on investment.
• Structure can be dismantled.
• Can be designed for cold storage with double slab insulated flooring.
• Tax advantages are available.

Rack supported warehouse by the company Fruvemex designed and executed by Interlake Mecalux

A case in point

Rack supported warehouses are not necessarily the ideal solution for every distribution center, however for many they prove to be above and beyond the best choice. The remarkable Fruvemex refrigerated warehouse is an ideal example of the beneficial applications rack supported buildings have to offer.

It was designed with a carefully finished exterior that minimizes the overall landscape impact and ensures the best thermal insulation for stored goods. The different modules in the facility are connected in such a way that the refrigeration system is continuous. Thanks to the design of this new rack supported warehouse, Fruvemex has been able to reduce storage costs by optimizing their space as much as possible. Consequently, they can control the large power expenditure that comes with these types of cold storage warehouses.

Warehouse space planning is a critically important task for any business that uses warehouse space. Understanding your storage and space needs can help you develop an efficient plan that grows as you scale. 

Unfortunately, warehouse planning is more than looking at a few plans and calculating square footage. To do it right, you need to understand almost every aspect of your business and daily operations.

How can you make the most out of the warehouse space layout planning process? We&#;ll walk you through some key things you need to consider to optimize your warehouse space. Keep reading.

What You Need to Understand for Efficient Warehouse Planning

Warehouse planning can feel very intimidating. You won&#;t find a lot of room for error. Moreover, your business will most likely be dealing with the space for quite some time, so planning for the future is just as important as meeting current needs. The last thing you want to do is waste space.

Below, you&#;ll find some areas of consideration you should understand to make the most out of the warehouse planning process.

1. Planning for Growth

It&#;s easy to lose sight of your future plans. But, when it comes time to plan your warehouse space, thinking ahead can save you time and money. If your business is hyper-focused on where you are now, a few key questions can help you develop a firmer grasp of potential growth:

• Will you be adding more products (SKUs) in the future? What does the rate look like for the next few years?
• Will these new products be challenging? (i.e., awkward sizes, odd shapes, requiring special storage, etc.)
• How will obsolete products and sales strategies affect your product storage?

These questions can help you gain a better understanding of what kind of growth you need to work into your warehouse space layout planning. You don&#;t have to do this alone. In fact, it&#;s best to work with collaborators like your suppliers and merchants to plan effectively.

An empty warehouse space presents many planning possibilities, but considerations for equipment, vertical space and other factors are still important.

2. Vertical Space

During warehouse space planning, square footage might be on your mind. It&#;s a fairly common metric to rely on, and it can give you quite a bit of information for planning purposes. What it does not take into account is vertical space. For a warehouse to operate at peak efficiency, you need to optimize its vertical space.

Think of all the equipment that builds up, not out:

If your clear stack height will be different in the new space, it may mean you can utilize taller equipment. For example, an extra six feet of clear stack height can be enough to add another layer of pallets into a racking system.

The company is the world’s best Self-supporting warehouse supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

3. Equipment

When planning out your warehouse space, don&#;t forget about all of your equipment. Even small businesses require areas for assembly, manufacturing and picking operations. Moreover, storage and material handling equipment also takes up space. While things like pallet racks come to mind, you&#;ll find many other pieces of equipment to consider:

• Work benches
• Packing stations
• Shipping stations
• Conveyors
• Forklifts

Not only do you need to consider storage for all this equipment, but you also need to factor in use. For example, a forklift is only usable with adequate aisle space. That&#;s exactly why precision planning is important for an efficient and productive warehouse layout.

Forklifts and other equipment require specific aisle space measurements to ensure the full range of mobility and operational safety.

4. Traffic Flow

When your warehouse plan is all on paper, it can look excellent. But don&#;t forget how workers will actually use the space. Once you have a good idea of what equipment you intend to use, considerations for traffic flow and productivity are key. 

Ask these questions:

• How much time will your employees spend at locations around your space?
• Where will they spend most of their time? What equipment, storage areas or work tables will see the most action?
• Consider your employees&#; needs. How can they effectively gather items? What do they need to succeed?

A lot goes into proper warehouse traffic planning. If you can, test out operations. Find out what works and what doesn&#;t. Have employees review and test your floor plan. Act on feedback, and be sure to pay attention to hard-to-change areas of your facility. It can be a matter of trial and error, but at the end of the day, the goal is to promote efficiency and productivity.

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5. Inventory Turnover

Warehouse planning is a comprehensive activity. While looking at equipment and layout is a decent starting point, a fundamental understanding of your business and inventory can make a good space plan into a great one.

Consider inventory turnover. The last thing you want is dead stock to take up precious space in your warehouse. While it can be a struggle for businesses without clearly defined KPIs and storage analytics to get to the bottom of these questions, if you can, it can help you develop a more suitable warehouse plan.

Think about what your business considers deadstock &#; this can be different from one organization to another. Once you have that in your head, take full stock of your current inventory. How much deadstock are you currently carrying? Moreover, if you remove this deadstock, how will that benefit your storage operations?

6. Shape and Layout

While it can be easier to focus on square footage, the shape of your storage space will have a significant impact on your design. Almost any shape of building can work, but it may require more strategic planning.

Even open warehouse spaces can be troublesome. Column positions can wreak havoc on racking system designs, and even safety features like sprinklers can throw a wrench into your plans. Moreover, you need to consider the following:

• Number of docks
• Number of doors
• Space for storage
• Space for picking
• Space for reception

During warehouse planning, you will most likely use facility drawings and computer-aided designs (CAD) to help maximize plan efficiency and accuracy.

Most of the time, you&#;ll be dealing with one of these common warehouse layout designs:

• U-Shape &#; The most common and can work in many different facilities.
• I-Shape &#; A through-layout design. I-Shape designs are great for high-volume facilities.
• L-Shape &#; Great for facilities in need of loads of storage and greater flexibility for sorting. 

If you&#;re looking for more information, check out our guide and checklist on warehouse layout.

Getting It Right with Professional Help

If all of this planning is starting to sound stressful, don&#;t worry &#; East Coast Storage Equipment is here to help. Not only can we help with sourcing high-quality used equipment for your new facility, but our team of warehouse space planning experts is ready to help you with everything from selecting a rack system to installation. Reach out today to learn more about our material handling equipment services.

Want more information on used teardrop pallet rack? Feel free to contact us.