Tag Archive for: material handling

Storage Solutions Celebrates It’s THIRD Anniversary

There is a reason I never made it big as a vocal artist, so I will spare you the grief of having to sit through a little “Happy Anniversary” song to the tune of “Happy Birthday,” but I’m sure you get the point.

This April was pretty significant for our Westfield office (and, really, our other locations as well) as we celebrate our THIRD anniversary in our new facility.  Since we moved, we have also opened three new office locations across the country and hired more than a dozen new employees.

One thing our customers talk about again and again is actually seeing and touring our facility.  That’s when they tell us that it really hits them that what we do is so exceptional.  Our 330,000 sq. ft. warehouse is an incredible space and quite the site to see.  As part of our three-year anniversary celebration, we are in the process of planning an open house to show customers (both from out-of-state and local) just how awesome our operation is.

Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement!

SSI Panoramic

Viperbid Indiana: Feb. 6 Sneak Peek

We’re excited to report that some of our auction regulars are already actively placing pre-bids on some of the items in our upcoming auction on Monday, February 6.  So be sure to check out our inventory and place your pre-bids!  Auction day is a week from TODAY!  We are featuring some of our biggest items in this blog post for your viewing pleasure…

Sullair Compressor
Starting Bid:  $150

Mod# DW13-100H
100% Oil-Free
100 HP
125 PSIG
9,774 run hours
Very Clean
Minimal Maintenance

 Sullair Compressor
McQuay Air-Cooled Chillers
Starting Bid: $20

Lots 26-418, 26-422, 26-442, 26-443
Great Condition
Model#: AGR085AS27-ER-10

 McQuay Chiller

Pallet Rack Packages
Starting Bid:  $5

16 different lots of pallet rack
Teardrop, Interlake, Prest, Etc
Great Condition

 used pallet rack
Hydronix Air-Dryer
Starting Bid:  $100

Heatless Purge Desiccant Air Dryer
Mod# 560HPS1L0000E
SER# 159470-M400

 hydronix air dryer
Slider Bed Conveyor
Starting Price:  $5

Manf: Rapistan
Color:  Green
300 lineal feet, 36″ W
Great Condition

 conveyor

Other important dates: 

In-Person Preview:  Friday, February 3  |  9 am – 4 pm
Bid Day:  Monday, February 6  |  8 am – 6 pm
Pick-Up Days:  Tues., February 7 – Thurs., February 9  | 8 am – 4 pm

We have over 100 lots listed for this auction with most bids starting at $5.  Lockers, office furniture,  Check them out!  For any questions, contact us or call 317.399.2119.

A Day In The Life Of A Rookie: Managing Curveballs

I know it’s been a while since my last rookie blog post but we’ve been so busy here at Storage Solutions preparing for the New Year and it’s great! So to close out 2011 I wanted to blog about one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced over the past few months: how to effectively manage adversity. (Curveballs, if you will)

Imagine you’re a rookie baseball player making his first start in the big leagues. And on top of that, the opposing pitcher in your first game happens to be Cy Young winner and Detroit Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander. Now, Up until this point in your career you’ve never seen anything like him. His 99mph fastballs look like they’re coming at your head around 200mph and just when you think you have his fastball timed right, he freezes you with a knee buckling curveball. Strike 3 and you’re heading back to the minor leagues. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic but you get the point.  As a rookie, slight adversity looks like it’s coming at you much faster than it really is and just when you think you have it, something new pops up.

The obvious goal is to pay attention to detail so that problems don’t occur but as everyone knows things don’t always go as planned and the only way to improve at handling these curveballs is experience. The more issues you see and the more problems you have to fix the better you become at handling adversity when it jumps up and slaps you in the face. You start to see things in slow motion. Things start to slow down and those 200 mph fastballs start to look like beer league softball lobs.  Before you know it, you’ve been called back to the big leagues, you’re batting .335 and you’re the new World Series MVP! (If you can’t tell I really enjoy imagining myself as a professional baseball player. But again, the point is clear.)

Here’s an example of a valuable lesson I learned a few weeks ago… When shipping a package internationally, you may run in to challenges that appear to be out of your control. The only real solution to a problem like this is to keep pushing and keep trying something else. I call one number and the person can’t help me, I keep pushing but still get nothing. Hang up, call someone else. They can’t help me either but they may know someone who can. On hold, on hold, cheesy jazz music, still holding. Eventually I get through to someone that can help and get the problem resolved. It wasn’t easy, actually pretty frustrating. But I finally got to the end goal of getting the problem resolved and the only reason I got there was because I kept calm and kept pushing. Just like practice for that minor league baseball player!

In closing to this blog, on behalf of myself and the Storage Solutions Family, I’d like to wish a late Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and all of yours! Make sure to look for Storage Solutions in 2012!

Kevin Rowles: A Year In Review…

As I reflect on the results of this year, the request for a blog submission from our marketing department was timely.   While evaluating the accomplishments of 2011 and establishing new goals for the upcoming year – I am challenged to figure out what has attributed to our success, what lessons were learned, and how to best position ourselves moving forward.

Every year I find myself looking back to past years thinking that a historical trend might develop.  The only development is the reassurance that change is a constant with us.   I’m amazed that what seemed like minor changes at the time, and just part of going about the business at hand – turned out to be more significant when looking in the rear view mirror.  I know better than to think that it will ever be “business as usual” for us. We get bored too easily!

If we started all over (like we seem to do each year) the key ingredients would stay the same:

Adaptability – one of our strongest assets since the beginning
Visionary – we look at the world and warehouses a little differently
Entrepreneurial – we pride ourselves on our creative spirit
Energetic Action – the challenge of “making it happen” is contagious
Loyal – our clients and vendors are partners

The true grade card is the feedback we get from our best partners. The quotes “you make it look easy” and “no one else in the country does what you do” are indicative of the Storage Solutions mission statement.

If we are able to focus on that level of service and commitment – everything else will follow and expectations will be exceeded once again in 2012!

Storage Solutions Installations… The Winter 2011 Edition

We’re here, we’re there, we’re everywhere!  As you may have been reading over the course of the last few Where Are We Now blog posts, our Storage Solutions installations take place all over the country.

But we don’t just stick to the United States… we also do installations in Mexico AND Canada!  So we really mean it when we say we’re all over North America.  Our installation crews have been working on a LOT this winter:  Replacing damaged uprights, shelving installations, pallet rack installations, rack reconfigurations, high-rise shelving and rack teardown, wire cage installation, pushback pallet rack installation, and more!

Where Are We Now?

SSIMap December2011Indianapolis, IN – Various Jobs

Victoria, TX – Rack Installation

Memphis, TN – 4,000 pallet rack bay and bin mezzanine teardown

Tampa, FL – Rack teardown

Cincinnatti, OH – Rack teardown & transfer to other facilities

Vancouver, BC – Rack & shelving installation

Charlotte, NC – Rack Installation

Columbia, SC – Rack Installation

This is a list of where our installation crews have been working hard this quarter.  But we also oversee installation jobs on other projects throughout the country as well!  Check out previous installation locations from our last “Where Are We Now?” posts.

Whether a job is 5,000 sq. ft. right next door or over 1 million sq. ft. five states away, we’re always willing and able to get the job done.  If you’ve got a project you’d like us to work with you on, give us a call at 866.474.2001 or contact us!

There’s Something You Should Know About Tennessee…

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT “THE VOLUNTEER STATE”…

1)  Tennessee won its nickname as The Volunteer State during the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from Tennessee displayed marked valor in the Battle of New Orleans.
2)  State law: It is illegal to shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
3)  Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry is the longest continuously running live radio program in the world. It has broadcast every Friday and Saturday night since 1925.
4)  The name “Tennessee” originated from the old Yuchi Indian word, “Tana-see,” meaning “The Meeting Place.”
5)  STORAGE SOLUTIONS HAS OPENED ITS NEWEST OFFICE IN NASHVILLE!

downtown nashville

There are so many more fun facts where the above came from, but we have to admit we are most excited about opening the next Storage Solutions branch in one of our favorite U.S. cities!  New employees Mike Weakley and John Holzapfel bring over 15 years of combined experience in the material handling industry.

“Nashville is really growing not only in distribution business but manufacturing as well,” Mike said.  In combining partnerships and expanding horizons for our customers, we are very excited about our newest location.

“Joining the SSI team means a lot to us because it lets us continue to service our customers with an even greater ability than we have ever had.”

We are proud to welcome them both to our team!  Official opening date coming soon!  Stay tuned for more info!

Chastity Wilke Featured In MHW Magazine!

We don’t mean to brag, but we’re pretty stoked that Storage Solutions employee Chastity Wilke was featured in this month’s issue of Material Handling Wholesaler Magazine!  Both in print and online, the article, Salute To Women: October 2011: The Doors Are Wide Open, turns to Chastity and another female industry professional to discuss women’s roles in the material handling industry.

Keep on reading for some of our favorite parts:  chastity wilke

On considering the material handling industry for young female professionals:
“Pallet rack, steel shelving – they’re not things a girl usually dreams of surrounding herself with when she enters the working world. But if you focus on the fact that being a woman in this industry is just as satisfying and achievable as anything else, more young women would be willing to give it a shot.”

On what it takes to make it in this industry:
“You have to be ready to trade in your fancy business suit for a pair of steel-toed boots and a hard hat. It takes time and knowledge to succeed in this industry, which are two things that can sometimes be lost on people just starting in the working world. If you remember that it takes a while to get your footing, once you give it a chance, I think you can surprise yourself.”

Be sure to check out the full article available both in print and online!

A Day In The Life Of A Rookie: Efficiency

Efficiency is the title for the fourth edition of my blog because that’s the main thing I’ve accomplished over the past three weeks. Not necessarily learning more product or industry information but getting better with the things I’ve already learned. It might sound boring but it’s pretty important.

multitaskingIt’s important because efficiency allows me more time to focus on new projects, in turn, giving me more opportunities to learn product and industry information. So as you can see, efficiency directly relates to me progressing with this business. For example, I’ve gotten much better coordinating with our installation crews and keeping a mental note of what phase different projects are in and which people are where. When I first started, things moved fast and I had a hard time taking in information without feeling like my head would explode. Now, things still move fast, but I know the information a little better so it’s easier to take in and I can do the coordinating quicker.

To end this Blog I wanted to do something a little different.  Because I’m still learning the business/industry I thought it would be interesting, and possibly comforting, to hear some rookie stories from others around the office.  It could’ve been a story that stuck out in someone’s mind, maybe the day everything clicked, maybe a mistake they made, whatever they remember from being the new person in this industry.  I decided on contrasting inputs, one person fairly new to the industry and another who’s been around the block once or twice. Enjoy!

Dan Storey, Project Manager – 2 years with Storage Solutions

“My first (of many) rookie mistakes was an oversight on lead time.  I had a customer who ordered some racking from Storage Solutions, but we had to order the wire decking new.  I forgot to accommodate for the manufacturing lead time when I scheduled for the installation.  Long story short, we sent down the used uprights, beams, and hardware with our installers, but there were no decks for them to put on the racks.  So, we had to scramble to find available equipment that would work for this job because the customer needed it done ASAP.  The story has a happy ending though… we were able to get them the products necessary to finish the install and they were happy with the end result.  I also learned a valuable lesson about lead times in the process!”

Kevin Rowles, President – 17 Years with Storage Solutions

“This may not be comforting to you, but after 17 years in this industry I still feel like a “rookie”!  There is much for us all to learn and multiple opportunities in our ever changing business world – but, you must have passion for what you do, keep your eyes open, and maintain your entrepreneurial attitude!   It’s overwhelming at times – but would have it no other way…that challenging spirit is contagious around here and contributes to our success…and headaches!  (also contributes to waking up in the middle of the night – just keep your notepad handy and go back to bed :)”

GUEST POST: Ensuring Your Site & Operation Is Safe

We are excited to introduce our first guest blogger, Kelly Kamlager, with Wildeck!  We are always looking to bring fresh and informative content to our blog, so our eyes and ears are always open for new writers and posts!  Without further delay…

– – –

Storage Solutions has asked that Wildeck prepare a guest post for their blog regarding warehouse safety.

Where to start with warehouse safety? That is a big topic. So I started where I always do, with a quick Google search for “warehouse safety.” Quality information popped up from OSHA, HSE, several .gov sites, and many major industry publications. Really, there is endless documented information valuating the importance of site safety.

Pallet Rack ProtectorsSo with the amount of information available, solutions from suppliers like Storage Solutions, and quality products from manufacturers such as Wildeck, why is the fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry higher than the national average for all industries?

If you are an existing or future customer of Storage Solutions, many of the most common OSHA citation areas are in your facility. Are you doing all you can to keep your operations productive, safe, and citation free?

Make sure that your facility is a safe environment. Protect your people, your product, your equipment and your bottom line. Wildeck has prepared a Facility Site Survey for Storage Solutions to conduct a walkthrough of your facility.  Storage Solutions professionals are able to talk you about your concerns and assess the safety protection for personnel, equipment, and facility infrastructure. It could be beneficial to have an extra set of eyes examine your facility for safety concerns before OSHA brings in their extra set of eyes!

Contact Storage Solutions to talk with a material handling professional and have a conversation about your facility and what efforts will have a positive impact at your facility.

Edge guard

Hot Off The Press: Storage Solutions Fall 2011 Newsletter

It’s hard to believe that summer has already come and gone.  We’re going to miss the long days and warm nights of summer, but there are so many exciting things happening here and in the material handling industry.  We’re excited to see what this fall will bring!

Storage Solutions Fall 2011

What You’ll Find In This Issue:

  • Industry News – Sometimes… other people say it better.  So we will be including links to some great articles from our favorite online publications pertaining to the material handling and logistics industries.
  • Where Are We Now – Get a visual of just how far our installation crews travel.  From California, to New Jersey and everywhere in between, we’re everywhere.
  • Project Spotlight Series – Check out the progress we’re making on various jobs throughout the country… We know you won’t be disappointed.  Our most recent series, Project Ohio, just finished up!
  • Current Storage Solutions Events – Whether we’re hiring, headed to a trade show or showcasing another aspect of our business or employees, this is where you’ll find the information!
  • Viperbid of Indiana – Dates and times for our next online auction have officially been set!  Don’t miss out Monday, November 7, 2011.

There is a lot of information packed into this month’s newsletter!  If there are other stories you’re interested in hearing about, don’t hesitate to let us know!