Narrow Aisle Warehouse Design: How Narrow Should Your Aisle Be?

In previous posts, we have discussed how warehouse design is the foundation upon which an optimal operation exists. Finding the right mix of picking efficiency, storage capacity, and equipment is the key to an optimal workflow. The best time to plan for these efficiencies is at the design stage, whether you are starting a new warehouse or reconfiguring your current layout.

One variable to consider is the width of the aisles in your facility. Conventional aisles tend to be between 12’ and 14’ wide. However, some designs are optimized with narrow aisles, ranging from 8’ to 10’-wide. Even more extreme designs feature very narrow aisles, which can be less than six feet wide. With each degree of narrowness, storage capacity increases. However, as the width of your aisle decreases, so does picking efficiency (unless other pick methodologies or technologies are applied).

Finding that perfect mix can be challenging. However, there are a few key variables that, once decided upon, can point you in the right direction to fit the best design to meet your narrow aisle needs.

Conventional or Narrow Aisles?

How frequently are forklifts going up and down your aisles? The answer to that question is probably the most significant determinant in adopting narrow aisles for picking products. If you need two forklifts – which typically vary between 4’ to 7’ wide – then narrow aisles may not be ideal for your operation.

However, all it takes is a simple calculation to see how much additional storage space you gain by switching to a narrow aisle. By reducing the width of your corridor, you can now fit more storage in your facility, and the transition from conventional to narrow aisles can bring an increase in storage capacity between 20-25%. Keep in mind, though, that there may be an increase in equipment costs if you need to outfit your operation to adapt to a narrow aisle. Also, your pick process may become less efficient because it may take more time to get from the storage area to your delivery area. These are all variables that we can talk you through as you evaluate your options.

How Narrow are Very Narrow Aisles?

To an even further degree, very narrow aisles are an option for warehouses looking to get the maximum storage capacity per square foot. Very narrow aisles are typically between 5’6” and 6’-wide and can increase your storage capacity by up to 40-50% when compared to conventional aisle widths. That sizeable increase – imagine 1,500 pick locations instead of 1,000 – can mean a lot for certain types of warehouse and picking needs.

Very narrow aisles also typically require an investment, both in terms of additional equipment but also in outfitting your warehouse. Most lifts designed for very narrow aisles operate based on the magnetic strip (or wire guidance) embedded directly into the floor of your facility. However, if your operation relies on case picking, broken case picking, or each picking, then this storage design may be the best way to maximize your space.

Safety First, Safety Last

Lastly, in evaluating your options, keep in mind the experience level of your warehouse associates. They may have years of experience in operating forklifts in various warehouses with various levels of traffic. However, what happens when you reduce aisle size and increase potential traffic stops? Did you give them the proper training? Can you rely on them to navigate your new warehouse layouts? Anything “new” brings with it a safety concern for your warehouse associates and equipment.

Let an Expert Guide You

There are many options when it comes to finding the best design for your warehouse layouts. Don’t worry. We have a team of experts with decades of experience in design and installation who have seen best practices in action and know that each operation is unique. If you are looking for some guidance, we are here to help. Call us at 800.474.2001 or submit a callback request, and we can talk about your warehousing needs and which storage solution is best for your operation.

New Hire Spotlight: Andy Henry

Getting to Know Our Team

Welcome, Andy Henry!

As a growing organization, we’re always looking for talented and motivated people to join our company. With that, we are pleased to welcome our newest addition, Andy Henry! Andy joined us last week as a Project Manager for our National Accounts team. He is a graduate of Purdue University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Since graduation, Andy’s work experienced has been centered around sales and engineering roles. Because of this, he has developed a core understanding of customer service and paying close attention to detail. We’re happy you’re a part of the team, Andy!

When he’s not at work, you can find him spending time with his two children, who mean the world to him. He is a coach for both of their youth soccer teams and is a Den Leader for his son’s Cub Scouts group. Along with this, Andy also loves working on cars, and building things with wood. He rarely goes to an auto mechanic, because he enjoys replacing any necessary parts himself

What are you most excited about working at Storage Solutions?

“I am most excited to be part of such a dynamic business culture here at Storage Solutions. I’m excited to challenge the status quo and grow with a company that values new ideas. I want a place I can call home. I’m not looking for another job experience to add to my resume but a reason to never have to revise it.”

Are you interested in becoming part of the Storage Solutions team? Apply here today!

Storage Solutions Vincennes Partnership 1

Storage Solutions Provides Robotics Demonstrations

News & Press Releases, Automation

As of 2018, Plainfield, Indiana, boasted 50% of all warehouse jobs in Central Indiana, including employers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Foxconn. As the supply chain and logistics industries continue to grow in Central Indiana – and Hendricks County in particular – there is a high demand for training and education to maximize employment for skilled labor.

To support that educational demand, Storage Solutions has partnered with Vincennes University’s Logistics Training and Education Center (VULTEC) to introduce students to on-demand automation and its increasing role in warehouse operations.

Storage Solutions has loaned Fetch Robotics’ HMIShelf robot, a picking transportation solution, to the Vincennes center for training purposes. The robot works alongside warehouse associates to carry a wide range of bins, totes, and packages from multiple pick zones or locations to a packing area. The HMIShelf is designed to reduce associate travel time, increasing productivity, and lessening the hardship of employees who would otherwise be carrying the loads.

“As a Fetch Solutions Certified Provider, we can be at the forefront of implementing on-demand automation in warehouse environments,” explained Nathan Storey, Vice President of Operations at Storage Solutions. “Our partnership with Vincennes allows us to help students of all ages learn about how warehouses currently operate, but also be prepared to adjust to technological advances.”

For the next two years, students and visitors to the VULTEC can obtain first-hand experience with the autonomous mobile robot and see how it can assist in real-world applications in the supply chain industry. Whether it comes to programming or picking, students in the programs will likely be working with elements of warehouse automation in some form in their next jobs.

“We are thrilled to have Storage Solutions exhibiting their automated mobile robots at our training and education center,” explained Debbie Furnish, Warehouse Technician at Vincennes’ Logistics Training and Education Center.

“Partnerships like these help us put premium value to the educational opportunities we give to our students. These AMRs are part of the future of the industry, so it gives our students a leg-up to have that first-hand knowledge of how they work and how to work with them.”

THE VULTEC is a 30,000 square foot warehouse that combines a hands-on learning environment with classroom instructions. Students gain the knowledge base that makes them attractive to potential employers while providing the opportunity to apply their education using the latest equipment and technology.

For more information on the VULTEC, visit www.vulogistics.com.

Navigating the Engineering and Permitting Processes

Storage

The idea of climbing a mountain alone sounds daunting: Do you have the right supplies? Do you have enough endurance? What happens when the weather changes?

While managing a warehouse transition may not be as personally perilous as climbing a mountain, there are similarities in both requiring ample planning, preparation, and the ability to adapt as conditions change. They also have another thing in common: they become a heck of a lot easier if you have someone with experience there to guide you.

As part of our Turnkey Solutions, we offer our clients peace of mind by providing oversight for each component of a project. Our team of Project Managers and Project Coordinators consider project management, safety checkpoints, installation progress, permitting, and logistics with every partner across the country. We are in constant communication to ensure your entire project is delivered with the flexibility to change as things may change along the way.

Engineering a Solution with a Single Point of Contact

Our project managers’ relationship with your project begins before you even meet them. They are the team members who are running estimations on parts and equipment, finding the best solutions required to install each stage of the project. They are also working with our designers on preliminary engineering and design. In our world, engineering and design go hand-in-hand. Why not have a single person who knows the ins and outs of both?

Time and again, we hear from our clients how vital our turnkey solutions are to the success of a project. These project managers give our clients more command and control over projects because we know the status of all projects at any given time. Projects are delivered on time because our team has overseen hundreds of buildouts and understand how to anticipate the unexpected. Projects are delivered on budget because we are proactively managing potential hurdles along the way before they turn into costly change orders.

We know that coordinating vendors at your site is a challenging piece of the construction puzzle, but it is one piece that we know gets solved with anticipation, organization, and active communication with all stakeholders.

Navigating the Permitting Maze

Once a proposal becomes a project, our team has already begun creating a permit package, which acts as a roadmap of all the boxes that need to be checked along your project’s lifecycle. There we identify all the requirements, including fire codes, storage permits, structural permits, documents required for the Department of Homeland Security, and so much more.

Depending on the region, navigating the permitting portion of a project could be its own fulltime job. However, because we have worked with a wide variety of municipalities across the nation, our team learns, grows, and shares information on best practices on each project. For example, we understand how important each detail is in drawing submissions, which helps to eliminate unnecessary laps between the regulator and us. Because we spend so much time at the front of the process getting those details correct, the rest of the project can run as smoothly as possible.

Make the Best Use of Your Time

And what is the opportunity cost of doing all the permitting yourself? Do you call the building department or the city planner? What are the fire codes? Is the area under construction part of a seismic zone? When you are stuck on the phone trying to call around to find these answers – and figure out if these are the only questions you need to ask – you are spending valuable time that could be used on tasks more closely associated with your jobs. The Storage Solutions team already knows what questions to ask, whom to ask those questions to, and how to get the answers to the appropriate party. It is the Storage Solutions difference.

Let’s Get Started

Decisions typically come down to the value of your time. Because we are a trusted partner to our clients, we understand the intimate details of each proposal and have a head start on what is needed to get the project done. Our team is ready to get started and learn more about your upcoming project, whether it is a new building, a renovation project, or a relocation/removal situation. Call us today at 800.474.2001 or contact us here to speak with a Storage Solutions expert!

Term You Should Know: Double-Deep Pallet Rack

Storage

Double-Deep Pallet Rack is a style of dense storage consisting of selective pallet racking that has been constructed back-to-back to allow for higher storage density. This style of racking requires fewer aisles, which allows for increased flexibility in warehouse design options and an increase in storage space.

Double-deep racks can be installed in a conventional warehouse or any rack-supported building. These racks provide more significant utilization of warehouse space because they store loads of materials and have a narrow aisle design.

There are some disadvantages to utilizing double-deep pallet racking as well. Because the design is placing two racks back-to-back, a double-deep rack only features a 50% selectivity area. This lack of accessibility can lead to reduced productivity and require the use of more expensive life equipment, depending on the configuration.

Typically, double-deep racking is ideal for a client that is storing pallets in a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) inventory rotation. It is especially suitable if that product is in high volume with limited available storage space.

If you are interested in implementing Double-Deep Pallet Racking configurations or other Dense Storage Solutions in your warehouse, contact one of our Storage Solutions experts to talk about increasing your storage capacity.

What is Roll-Formed and Structural Pallet Rack?

Storage

There are two types of pallet rack construction: roll-formed racking and structural racking. While the two variations have similarities, we want to take a minute and explain what makes the two different!

What is Roll-Formed Pallet Racking?

Roll-formed pallet rack is the most common construction of racking. Typically, this type of racking is usually manufactured in the “teardrop” style. The style of the teardrop refers to the teardrop-shaped holes on the columns of the uprights. It is cold-rolled and typically features a rivet connection. There are few circumstances in which the roll-formed rack has a bolted connection.

Pallet racks in the roll-formed style also tend to be less expensive because it is constructed with less steel than structural racking. Roll-formed racking uses mounting clips that allow storage areas to be easily adjustable to different heights according to load size. This flexibility is beneficial for warehouses that store a wide variety of product sizes.

What is Structural Pallet Racking?

Structural pallet rack is different than roll-formed pallet rack in that it is created from hot-rolled steel. In structural racking, components are traditionally bolted together, which is how one can easily spot structural versus roll-formed pallet rack. The horizontal load beams connect to the uprights with bolts, which still allows for an adjustment, but just not as easy as with teardrop rack. Structural rack also typically has a higher weight-bearing capacity.

Structural pallet rack is made of thicker steel c-channels, making it the more expensive but durable pallet rack option. It is most commonly used in warehouses where inventory has a quick turnover because durability is a huge factor when accommodating busy forklift traffic.

For additional information on pallet rack or other material handling equipment, contact our online sales team at 866.474.2001!

Employee Separation Panels - Wirecrafters

Employee Separation Panels Increase Safety Measures

Storage

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted nearly every organization and operation in some way, shape, or form. However, companies are finding innovative ways to keep their business on track amidst the disruption. One such innovation is the development of employee separation panels, which offer a degree of safety and peace of mind among employees who are required to work within six feet of each other.

Our partners at Wirecrafters are deploying two options for these portable safety mechanisms: a standard separation panel and a heavy-duty separation panel. Both options are similar size – 6’ tall x 4’ wide – and feature a clear, 1/8”-thick polycarbonate window to maintain sightlines in the warehouse. The heavy-duty version’s window essentially extends from the top of the panel to the floor, while the standard version’s window shields the top 3’ of the panel.

Both products can be assembled with casters on the bottom, allowing for mobility and flexibility to meet the needs of your warehouse workers. These clear, portable panels can move from workstation to workstation to give employees a level of safety and protection against human-to-human contact.

While there is no accurate timetable for the lifting of social distancing requirements, these panels can act as a safety measure to keep your employees safe and productive while in your facility. By introducing these panels, warehouse managers can avoid disruptions ranging from employees feeling uncomfortable around one another to missing work because they may have contracted an illness.

In addition, investments in these panels will continue to pay off after the COVID-19 crisis has ended. There is always another flu or cold season around the corner, and these tools may be able to play a role in limiting the spread

If these unique solutions are of interest to you, we would love to connect and work with you to support wellness in your workforce. Contact us today and let us work with you to find a safety solution tailored to suit your needs.

Rivet Shelving or Steel Shelving: Which is Right for Me?

Storage

Rivet Shelving or Steel Shelving: Which is Right for Me?

In most cases, shelving should be used as a simple storage solution in situations where you are looking for storage for individual case picking or each picking. In addition, shelving works well when associates are not picking entire cases, but rather individual pieces. Shelving also is ideal for picking situations in which a warehouse associate needs a high number of pick faces to keep their products separated, organized, and easily identifiable.

While both rivet shelving and steel shelving solve the simple storage need for “less than a case” picking situations, each of the warehouse shelving options has its strengths and weaknesses. For those evaluating the right option or mix for their warehouse, let us explain the differences so you may better determine the best fit for your storage needs.

When to Use Steel Shelving

Industrial steel shelving, otherwise known as “clip shelving,” is ideal for storage situations in which accessories like drawer units, dividers, cabinet doors, etc., may be needed to separate and organize products. This style of shelving is popular because it is easily reconfigurable, akin to an “erector set” for storage. This option can genuinely be customized to fit the needs of your picking process. Steel clip shelving also typically provides more weight capacity per square foot of shelf space than other types of shelving.

When to Use Rivet Shelving

Industrial rivet shelving is a simple storage solution for case picking situations in which bulk shelving is required to store cases of products. The design of the rivet shelving unit inherently does not require hardware like nuts and bolts; the rivets on the shelving beams slide and lock into place when connected to their corresponding uprights. Due to its design, rivet shelving provides more & bigger size options than steel clip shelving. Typically, particle board or wire decking sits upon the beams and uprights to create a surface for storage. However, in recent years safety regulators have been pushing for more use of wire decking due to safety and flammability concerns.

Need More Help?

There are many more shelving options out there, from carton flow to wire shelving to plastic options and more. Rivet and steel shelving are just two of the most commonly found options for warehouse and distribution center needs.

If you need assistance with more information concerning rivet shelving or steel shelving, we’d love to help. Keep in mind, as an industry leader we can offer a variety of warehouse storage accessories customized to your needs. Our online sales team is available at 317-442-8752 or click the chat below to start a conversation about your storage needs.

Buy Used Warehouse Equipment SSI Warehouse

Want to Earn Money? Sell Us Your Used Equipment

Storage

We are always looking for used equipment! So why not let us pay you for your unwanted/unneeded materials?

Storage Solutions is your partner when it comes to buying used equipment. We want to help you move your old or used materials for a competitive price.

While we appreciate the opportunity to buy any used equipment, there are a few things that we really need on an ongoing basis.

Teardrop Uprights

Uprights are our one of our most popular products at Storage Solutions. Because of that, quality uprights are always in high demand.

Teardrop beams

8′ beams are the most common, so we are always on the lookout for them. As an integral part to nearly every project, we like to have quality beams in inventory at all times.

Wire Decking

Why Wire Decking? At Storage Solutions, we prefer to use wire decking for a number of reasons. Since safety is paramount for us, wire decking is much better for fire code compared to the traditional wood pallets. They are also more cost-effective and they drop right into place, making installation a breeze.

To learn more about our used equipment purchasing service, check out our Rack Buyback page!