Designing a warehouse may seem like an easy task in theory, however, it can actually be a complicated process that requires a lot of time and effort. From maximising storage potential to encouraging efficiency and everything in between, you’ll need to plan ahead and do plenty of research. That’s why we have put together a list of our most important warehouse design ideas so that you can utilise your space in the best possible way.
1. Flow
Key to any effective warehouse design is the flow of the building and how easily people, vehicles and objects can move throughout. You can improve this by cutting down on high traffic areas to limit congestion and cross-flow crashes. Flow also relates to your intake and outtake process, so it’s worth streamlining this as much as possible. Make sure that staff working on one task are positioned as close as possible to the next activity that they will be undertaking. Similarly, have all of the materials or equipment that they need located near their respective workstation. Focusing on these simple ideas will help to eliminate unnecessary movement and boost productivity within your warehouse.
2. Space
One of the most important things to consider when designing a warehouse is how you can utilise space. Take a step back and think about everything that needs to fit under your roof, be it materials, stock, offices, empty pallets, equipment, vehicles, battery chargers or anything else. From there, identify which products will help you to effectively store as much as possible. For instance, drive in pallet racking with vertical stacking is great for buildings that have a high clearance while wire mesh can suit tight, oddly shaped areas that wouldn’t otherwise be used. Doing this will allow you to find the best place for your wares and reduce overcrowding and clutter.
3. Accessibility
There’s no point having a vast amount of stock if you can’t actually get to it. Be sure to design your warehouse in a way that allows for quick access so staff can locate and grab what they need when it’s needed. This applies to everything that your business sells, be it freestanding products near the door or goods stored on pallets way down the back. Note, workers shouldn’t have to move one item to get to another. If they do, it may be time to reevaluate your floor plan. These fundamental warehouse design ideas can save you a lot of time and stress when orders start streaming in and the pressure starts to add up.
4. Safety
It’s no secret that warehouses can be dangerous places, so be smart and focus on a safe layout that can help to minimise accidents. This can involve guardrail installation to prevent people from straying into off-limit areas and setting up corner mirrors to increase visibility around sharp turns. You’ll also want to ensure that staff have enough room to move about freely and that your storage equipment meets Australian safety standards and protocols. Finally, remember to have clearly partitioned areas for foot traffic, vehicles and automated machines.
Smart warehouse designs use the best shelving systems
If you are looking for state-of-the-art equipment for your warehouse build, then the team at Erect-A-Rack can help. We supply Melbourne businesses with the finest industrial pallet racks and storage solutions that meet all industry standards. For drive in pallet racking, longspan racking Melbourne, wire mesh, guardrail installation and more, you simply can’t go wrong. Give us a call on 1300 788 916 or complete our contact form and we’ll soon be in touch.
