Types of Warehouse Storages and Storage Equipment in a Warehouse

Warehouses are a crucial part of the proper functioning of any business. They have secured spaces where you store your inventory before shipping it out to the end customers. It might come across as an unnecessary expense to many, and many small businesses might think of self-storage facilities. Still, outsourcing warehousing to a 3PL can save you money and boost the productivity of your business. Therefore, knowing about the different types of warehouse storage is necessary.

A customer journey doesn’t end when an order is placed. A warehouse gives you better control over your inventory and ensures that your customers receive on-time delivery of products, ultimately leading to higher profits. Now that we have told you the importance of a warehouse let us talk about one of the essential things inside a warehouse space. That is the storage equipment! Warehouse storage is one of the most crucial parts of a warehouse that stores inventory safely and securely. Read on to find out the types of storage equipment inside a warehouse-

1. Storage Cabinet

Like in a household, storage cabinets are high-density steel storage containers that offer quick access to the inventory and are an easy and convenient way of storing goods. These storage cabinets are typically used to accommodate bulkier items. A single type of storage system will not be enough for a warehouse, as the supplies and equipment stored in different warehouses vary greatly. You would need to use different storage cabinets and storage systems to store various kinds of inventory effectively. 

2. Pallet Racks

Pallet racking is one of the most common forms of warehouse racking systems. Pallet racks are storages designed to stack materials(SKUs) in horizontal rows with multiple levels. The pallet racking system’s benefit is simple – why spend more money adding extra space in the warehouse when you can utilize the vertical space? These racks are topped with pallet, and forklifts allow for movement between the racking systems that add efficiency to warehouses.

There are different types of pallet racks that warehouses employ. 

Selective Pallet Racking

It is the most common pallet racking system and comes in two configurations: roll-formed or clip-in configuration and a structural bolt-together configuration. Pallets rest on horizontal load beams held in place with mounting clips and can be moved quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate differing load sizes. 

Push-Back Pallet Racks

These are used to maximize storage space at the cost of reducing aisle space. Push-back pallet racks are often used to maximize storage space at the expense of lowering aisle space. Each bay is displayed up to six pallets deep and stored on wheeled carts fitted onto rails. A forklift can set the pallet onto the cart, drive forward and bump into the next pallet, rolling the entire group backward to maximize storage space

Motorized Mobile Pallet Rack

This is another system designed to maximize storage space. These systems convert static access aisles into productive storage space and have helped companies eliminate new building costs by maximizing usable storage space.

3. Multi-tier Shelves

Multi-tier shelving is the construction of shelves or racks on more than one level. Multi-tier shelving provides storage space at multiple levels, thus maximizing the utilization of vertical space available in a warehouse, making it easier for businesses to store more of their inventory, thereby increasing the warehouse’s capacity as a whole. This system is an excellent choice for large stocks of items that have small unit sizes.

Each level of the multi-tier storage can be accessed by staircases, main aisles, and cross aisles. Mostly, multi-tier racking concerns relatively lightweight items that are picked and organized manually. To get the most out of this warehouse storage system, organize each tier strategically and pack items as densely as possible while at the same time paying attention to weight limits and ceiling-to-rack height compliance guidelines. 

4. Mezzanine Flooring

A warehouse mezzanine floor can yield a massive amount of extra storage space. Effectively, you’re just constructing a second floor above existing aisles, which provides extra shelving space, working areas for staff to pick and pack or check and move stock on. Mezzanines don’t always need to be restricted to a single level; they can provide two or even three extra levels.

Mezzanine flooring technology has advanced in recent years, with a whole variety of custom designs to offer.
Because of these advances, virtually all mezzanine flooring is custom designed and fitted to integrate with most storage situations in almost every warehouse situation.

It’s best to use a company that can manage the whole process for you – from designing and installing mezzanine systems to advising on how you should fit out and make the best use of your additional space.

5. Static Shelves

As the name suggests, shelves are used to keep the goods and products static – they aren’t movable and stay in one place. They are designed in a way that they can store lightweight inventories that have to be handpicked or placed. This type of storage is not compatible with forklifts and has to be done by hand.

Bin Shelving:

Bin shelving is a practical storage solution featuring open shelves equipped with bins or compartments. This design facilitates the systematic organisation of small parts and products, making it an ideal choice for warehouses having to deal with a variety of components. Bin shelving not only ensures easy access to inventory but also streamlines the retrieval process, particularly when dealing with items that need to be individually identified and accessed. This storage method is particularly beneficial for businesses handling diverse inventory with varying sizes and types of products.

Cantilever Racks:

Cantilever racks stand out as a specialised storage solution designed to accommodate long and heavy items that might pose challenges in traditional rack systems. With arms that extend outward from vertical columns, these racks provide a versatile and efficient way to store items like pipes, lumber or furniture.

The open design helps easy loading and unloading, making it particularly advantageous for warehouses dealing with irregularly shaped or lengthy materials.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) represent the pinnacle of warehouse technology, employing robotics and automation to revolutionise the storage and retrieval of goods. These high-tech systems are designed to optimize efficiency, enhance accuracy, and minimise human intervention in the warehousing process.

AS/RS utilise computer-controlled mechanisms and robotics to handle, store, and retrieve items with precision and speed. The systems are particularly well-suited for warehouses dealing with a high volume of inventory, where rapid and accurate retrieval is paramount.

6. Mobile Shelves

It is similar to static shelving, but the only difference is that it can move and offers adjustable shelves. Such systems are designed to accommodate more goods in less space. Some of them can also contain locking systems and level tracks. The level tracks can either be mechanized or manual.

7. Wire Partitions

Wire partitions are secure wire cages, and sections are an essential accessory for improving warehouse security. They are typically made of fence-like wire mesh materials, creating a durable and robust enclosure that makes it easy to designate high-security storage areas or sections within your facility. Wire partitions are also practical additions as they help you section off areas without investing in major renovations.

It is easy to restrict access to areas where you store sensitive or high-value materials or products with a wire partition. They are ideal for securing medical products, chemicals, and similar types of items that should not come in contact with other products, thus eliminating the risk of contamination or damage.

Now that we have talked about the storage equipment, let us take a look at some other necessary equipment in a warehouse –

8. Dock Equipment

Choosing the wrong dock equipment can put employees at risk. As the docking area is the junction of the receiving and shipping processes, its safety should always be your top priority. If you are looking to optimize your dock area workflow, you need quality warehouse loading equipment to transfer goods to and from the trucks. As truck designs keep changing and safety is becoming a huge issue, selecting the right dock equipment can make your process more efficient, customizable, safer, and less time-consuming for workers.

Examples include:

1. Dock Boards and Plates
2. Edge of Dock Levelers
3. Truck Restraints
4. Dock Seals and Shelters
5. Dock Bumpers
6. Yard Ramps
7. Wheel Chocks
8. Dock levelers & Dock Lifts

9. Conveyors

Conveyors are material handling machines that can move cargo from one location to another. Compared to manually moving materials, this can speed up or automate the process to save time and labor.

Additionally, because they involve minimal human intervention, they can reduce the risk of injuries and serve as safe warehouse equipment, in the same way, forklifts do. They can help improve the picking, packing, and dispatching times while also helping automate and streamline the dimensioning, weighing, and sorting process.

Lastly, conveyors can be expensive; however, the benefits mentioned above make them a worthwhile investment if used in the right processes and installed optimally.  

Examples include:

1. Gravity Roller Conveyor
2. Belt Conveyor
3. Plastic Belt Conveyors
4. Flexible Conveyors
5. Vertical Conveyors
6. Spiral Conveyors
7. Pneumatic Conveyors
8. Chain Conveyor
9. Dust Proof Conveyors
10. Automotive Conveyors

10. Lifting Equipment

Lifting equipment refers to the different types of machines that help streamline transportation and storage of goods. Unstable lifting equipment can wobble, which can result in poor handling while lifting the goods. Moreover, it can damage the equipment/property, putting a halt on warehouse operations.

To help choose the right lifting equipment, you must consider factors such as the type of inventory (pallets or smaller units) and the shelves’ height.

Costs often fall on the higher side while purchasing such equipment, but they have the functional advantage to prove. They can reduce manual operations, be used across different areas, are highly customizable, and easy to maintain.

Examples include:

1. Forklifts
2. Pallet Jacks
3. Hand Trucks
4. Service Carts
5. Cranes, Hoists, and Monorails
6. Dollies and Castors

11. Packing Equipment

Packing involves wrapping a product or designing a container to provide protection and easy handling. Hence, packing equipment plays a crucial role in shipping goods by assisting the staff in packing faster and increasing productivity.  

The right packing equipment can reduce labor costs and provide consistency in the wrapping process. Moreover, packing equipment also improves inventory control by eliminating product separation, which saves time in inventory counts. 

Examples include:

1. Industrial Scales
2. Strapping and Banding Equipment
3. Stretch Wrap Machines
4. Packing Tables

Final Say

A modern warehouse always consists of machines and humans working together to make the operations seamless. Choosing the right equipment in a warehouse increases the warehouse’s productivity and leads to high levels of customer satisfaction in the long run.