Optimizing warehouse capacity is key to maximizing every square foot and essentially every dollar spent. Reevaluating how your space is used may take multiple actions to complete, including moving and replenishing pallets and equipment.
Diagram of the flow of operations within a warehouse and with the use of high-capacity forklifts.
1. Replenish and Rearrange.
Every so often, it is necessary to replenish and rearrange your warehouse pallets. allowing you to quantify your storage capacity and utilization. Consider your vertical space as well as aisle size for lifts, pallets, etc. As much floor space there is available, look up because you want to safely maximize that vertical space as well.
Warehouse layout and design is something initially considered and is the foundation of your operation. initially but it there may be room to reconsider how efficiently your operation is running.
2. Storage Consultants.
Outside consultants that specialize in warehouse design and layout can offer insight and a fresh, professional perspective. You can find quite a few reputable companies from a quick Google Search and Reviews. Each consultant has their own method but the method I read from a company called Storage Coordinators was by far, efficient since they also manufacture and install their recommended storage systems.
All in all, these companies’ storage systems can increase your productivity and bottom line on top of maximizing space and storage capacity.
3. Mezzanine Installation.
Although, installing a mezzanine may not be in the budget, it could be something to consider if the return on investment projected to be beneficial. If your building blueprint allows, consider the how use of a mezzanine could be utilized for materials that do not require higher storage.
As mentioned before, this scale of installation may not be costly but will help to truly maximize warehouse capacity.
4. Reach Higher.
Expanding your warehouse upwards can be too costly or not possible with your current warehouse design. Do an inventory check of your forklifts to see which can reach the highest and reserve that lift, for that section of the warehouse, as often as possible.
Depending on your forklifts, you may not have one on hand that is capable of lifting loads as high as you need them to. Investing in one that can, could prove to be the best bang for your buck when trying to maximize your space.
Here are three High-Capacity Reach Trucks that I have found to capable of reaching heights up to 45’.
” Optimizing warehouse capacity is key to maximizing every square foot and essentially every dollar spent.”
5. Reach Heavier.
High-Capacity Forklifts take the general public’s idea of a forklift to another level when it comes to heavy-duty machinery. When you need even more capacity for your toughest jobs, consider a high capacity forklift. Forklifts from Hyster or Yales can carry loads up to 100,000 pounds and feature heavy-duty engines powered by either liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel.
Industries that typically see this kind of tonnage include:
- Steel, aluminum, mining
- Wood and building materials
- Pulp and paper
- Concrete, bricks and rock
- Automotive
- General manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Wind power
- Nuclear
- Waste-to-energy
- Shipyards and marinasSit-down rider forklift moving a high-capacity storage container.
- Sit-down rider forklift moving a high-capacity storage container.
These are just a handful of ways to try and maximize that square footage and create an efficient flow and operation within your warehouse. You can keep it simple just by moving one bay or combing like-material into one bay, you can hire a consultant who can guarantee they will find more space or goas far as installing an entire second level/mezzanine in unused space. Whatever you decide to do, I hope these tips help you along your way.