Tag Archive for: project management

Warehouse Teardown

A local company came to Storage Solutions as they prepared to move out of their existing 250,000 sq. ft. warehouse, which at the time was still a fully functioning operation amid its busiest season. The customer asked us to tear down and purchase the remaining pallet racking and accessories throughout their facility in a short time frame, as they had just five weeks to vacate the building in compliance with their existing lease. To add to the complexity of the project, customer-owned product was still stored in the racking to be removed, and our team was asked to begin the installation of pallet racking at their new facility.

Complex projects are where Storage Solution’s wide range of turnkey solutions shine, especially when time is of the essence. See how we responded with those solutions below, to ensure this project was completed on time and within budget.

Existing Facility Teardown

To meet our customer’s needs, were able to deploy double our typical crew size through our in-house labor services to knock down the material as quickly as possible. The crew worked with on-site operations employees to sequence emptying the racks with tearing them down to minimize downtime.

Logistics

Tearing down pallet racking is one thing – ensuring it  can be removed from the site efficiently and safely is another challenge our Logistics Handling Solutions (LHS) team was prepared to handle. Within the five-week window of the dismantlement, LHS booked just under forty trucks to shuttle material from the customer’s warehouse to SSI’s warehouse to be received. Not only was material brought back and received by our warehouse, but some of the material from the dismantle was drop shipped directly from the customer to two additional locations.

Project Management

An integral part of the entire process was our used purchasing team’s role in the project from start to finish. Our team made a site visit to accurately count and provide a quote to dismantle and purchase the material. Additionally, they coordinated with our in-house groups and got the project off the ground quickly – all while maintaining clear communication with our customer through the life cycle of the project.

New Facility Installation

It was essential to our customer that during the dismantle process we also install pallet racking at the new facility so they would have open pallet positions for product coming from the old location. Our installation crew to divided resources between sites when necessary to ensure we could meet our customer’s request.

Scope of Work

Dismantled & Purchased:

1252

Uprights

4400

Carton Flow Lanes

6248

Beams

Additionally

A Large Mix Of Accessories

Booked, Loaded, & Received Just Under 40 Trucks

Drop shipped Material to 2 Separate Warehouses Direct from Site

This project was a strong example of Storage Solutions utilizing our in-house resources and ensuring a sense of urgency was exhibited through all steps of the process to meet our customer’s tight timeline. Storage Solution’s ability to respond to the needs of our customers on the fly is what separates us as not just a warehouse integrator but a trusted partner to all our customers.

If your warehouse could benefit from any of Storage Solution’s in-house solutions, click here to learn more!

Storage Solutions completed a project for a longtime client for their 400,000 square foot facility in New Hampshire. The client was condensing their operations to free up warehouse space and required a creative solution to completely reverse the flow of their outbound conveyor system and re-locate their shipping sortation race-track conveyor.

Warehouse Conveyor Manchester NH 1

However, the challenge with this project was the integration of the new conveyor with their existing conveyor system. The design had to factor in their need to have the conveyor interact with their existing pick modules. There was also a time crunch associated with the project, so proper planning and design were integral at the early stages to ensure the project would be completed on time and within budget.

Additionally, at the time, lead times for new conveyors were estimated at 20 weeks, while the client only had an 8-week window to complete the project. So, our engineers got to work while our account representatives and project managers began procuring the proper equipment.

Because of our vast network of partners, we could find a portion of what we needed from new product sources while using some of the client’s existing conveyors. We also found mechanical and electrical installers who were up for the challenge and had a strong base of product knowledge and experience.

We integrated the new conveyor material with their existing system, used TGW’s motor-driven roller (MDR) conveyor to create a 180-degree curve, and Russell Conveyors for spurs, curves, and merges. We were able to utilize a conveyor loop design – similar to a horseshoe – to maximize the use of space. Our engineers and product managers made site visits to ensure everything was on schedule and provided guidance on reprogramming all of the different components to make everything run together properly.

Ultimately, we were able to take a complicated problem like designing and reversing a conveyor system within a smaller footprint – when new conveyor lead times were around 20 weeks – and complete the project with minimal downtime in 8 weeks to the day. This success is just one reason why our clients continue to be repeat customers and it shows that delivering creative solutions can be accomplished because of our internal teamwork and diverse set of expertise.

Our scope of work included:

Want to learn more about past projects we have completed? Check out other case studies from a variety of project types across several industries.

Let us know if Storage Solutions can help you with your next project.

SSI Difference - Size Scope Skill

With all the obstacles that can belie any project – from labor shortages to logistical challenges to project management issues – it pays to work with a company that can solve challenges. Especially in times like these, when it seems all of these challenges are happening simultaneously, it pays off to work with a partner that offers the size, scope, and skill to overcome those and get the job done on time and on budget.

As the most significant storage equipment integrator in North America, we have the capabilities to get projects done on a shorter timeline and with a lesser impact on your day-to-day operations that other companies do not have.

What does that mean? How does that benefit you? Let’s explain…

We Can Source Warehouse Storage Equipment When Others Can’t

When it comes to buying power, we are unmatched in our industry. We are a Top-5 purchaser of pallet racking from the Top-8 manufacturers in North America when most other integrators cannot boast that claim for one or two of them. This status means that we have buying power that allows us to source equipment that others cannot because of our size and scope.

That status also means that we can achieve quicker lead times than others. Because each project is unique, we can get things done faster than the competition. We have such good relationships with our partners that, in the rare instance where production space is open, our manufacturing partners will reach out to us to see if we are interested in their supply. Of course, we are!

So, when some manufacturers may be sitting on 24-week production schedules, we can fit orders into their existing schedule because they know we’re always looking to buy. These unique vendor relationships allow us to place orders on reserved production because we know we can connect our clients to new equipment faster than others.

Another differentiator we can boast of is our 330,000 square-foot warehouse, located in Central Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. We always have new and preowned equipment in stock, and our warehouse allows us to be aggressive in acquiring inventory, which means we can help fill orders quicker. Plus, when there is a delay on a project and equipment is in transit, there are times that we can use and hold those uprights, beams, wire decks, or other equipment in our facility until the project gets back on track.

We are Growing at a Record Pace, Adding More Strategic Partners & Staff Along the Way

As a team, we continue to grow in size and skill. We have added dozens of new talent in sales, engineering, project management, installation, and operations in the past few years, which means we can accommodate a higher volume of projects at any given time and handle a larger share of each clients’ challenges. We have always engaged in training and continuous improvement, but we’ve made a real effort to get our staff accredited and certified in their area of expertise, and it’s paying off for our team and our partners.

We have new strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Daifuku, MHS Global, inVia Robotics, OPEX, and more, which means we are more connected to the latest-and-greatest solutions that can genuinely drive ROI on our clients’ projects. These are new areas of specialization that we have never been able to offer before.

Our approach means we can put the processes and programs to our client’s success. By being proactive – instead of reactive – we can control a project that many others cannot. That pays off by creating long-term partnerships with our growing number of clients because they know we can help solve nearly any challenge that may lay ahead.

We Have the In-House Talent to Navigate Project Planning and Execution

Another one of our main differentiators is our ability to provide in-house Turnkey Services to accommodate project planning and execution. Not only can we assist in the engineering and permitting process, but we offer an unmatched, robust project management team dedicated to each project. That team provides oversight on each component of a project and is in constant communication regarding safety checkpoints, installation progress, permits, logistics, and all the elements required to ensure a project is executed at a top-of-class level.

We offer this as an in-house solution because we ultimately want to be a partner that makes the best use of our clients’ time. Instead of being stuck calling around trying to find answers – or finding out what questions you even need to ask – we already know whom to ask, what to ask, and how to navigate the challenges associated with planning and executing these projects.

Our logistics and installation teams are also held in-house to provide complete control over projects and to ensure that there are no “gaps” in relying on two third-party vendors to coordinate with each other.

Especially now, in late 2021, supply chain and labor markets are experiencing massive delays and challenges. Fewer trucks are available. Delivery times are all over the place. Labor shortages are nationwide. We are not immune from these challenges, but we experience them to lesser degrees than our competition because we can control more resources than others. In other words, just because there is a labor shortage or supply chain disruption, it doesn’t mean we can’t get the job done. Our team can.

When our internal resources are stretched, and we do need to reach out to a third-party vendor, we have built a massive nationwide network of vetted vendors that we can utilize when necessary, and we can leverage our relationships when essential for our clients to receive preferential treatments.

We’re Ready to Get Started!

If you’ve worked with us before, you know our agnostic approach to sourcing solutions means we can deliver your project with fewer challenges than any other partner. If you haven’t worked with us before, give us a call and share more about how we have the size, scope, and skill that positions us as a true industry leader. That position makes us an ideal partner, especially in the current environment of unforeseen challenges and obstacles.

Whether you are about to plan a significant project like designing a new distribution center, investigating whether or not to introduce automation to your operations, or are just exploring options for a project partner, give us a call. We have a team in-house that can help you at every stage of that project, from design through implementation and support.

 

Brandan Alford Turnkey Solutions Video

Our integrated supply and service approach to Turnkey Solutions means your Storage Solutions team has tighter control over all facets of your project, ensuring you meet your timeline and budget. Oversight for each component and executing entire projects as one team means efficiencies that generate better results with fewer surprises along the way.

We specialize in:

  • Project Management
  • Safety
  • Installation
  • Permitting
  • Logistics

Click here to learn more!

Engineering-Permitting-Turnkey

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!

essential solutions storage needs

As the COVID-19 crisis continues its lifecycle, businesses deemed non-essential are closing down across the country. Because our company serves many necessary logistics, construction, and supply chain industries, Storage Solutions is continuing to operate unless circumstances change. We were early to establish a COVID-19 Task Force and shift to a remote workplace, wherever applicable.

We also know that we are not alone in our essential role in our economy. Companies in the material handling industry are working safely to ensure deadlines are being met, and progress continues as well as it can, given the circumstances. We are seeing many businesses responding to a change in demand. Now more than ever, companies are seeing the need for flexible, dynamic operations and are adjusting how they work to meet those challenges head-on.

Our experts are always ready to learn about how the challenges are causing pain in operations. As our company is continuing to evolve, we have the expertise in providing essential solutions and so much more.

Let us know what we can do to help. Below are a few ways we are supporting companies who are running to the best of their ability to meet changing patterns in demand at a rate they may never have before.

We Are Buying and Selling Used Warehouse Equipment

We are here to help make sure your business and storage space has what it needs to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes that means having an affordable solution. We hunt for the best-used equipment and thoroughly inspect every piece to ensure it’s 100% safe and ready to use.

If you are getting rid of your equipment, reconfiguring your warehouse to meet new demands, or relocating your operations, we are also here to help you solve the issues that naturally arise. Whether it’s tools, lighting, logistics, or anything else the job requires, Storage Solutions’ experience and integrated services approach creates truly effortless teardowns that don’t need your constant attention.

Plan Projects with Turnkey Solutions

Because we take an integrated supply and service approach, we can manage projects of any scale to meet your timeline and budget. Need to get permits signed off? We can do that. Need an installation schedule developed? That’s our bread and butter. Need to handle logistics? Why rely on another vendor when we can do that in-house. Our Project Managers assume the unexpected and work with you closely to give you a single point of contact and peace of mind with better command and more control.

Determining the Right Course with Design and Dynamic Solutions

We know that the best solutions start with the best designs (link to blog), and we are ready and capable to get started in providing Design Solutions to develop the optimal storage layout and pick process custom developed for your operation. We can address issues like SKU proliferation, the impact of e-commerce, anticipated changes in demand, and factor in costs associated with labor. We want to give you a flexible and scalable solution based on data and expertise.

We can also talk about how adding dynamic solutions like automation to your operation no make it more technology-driven, no matter what level of automation currently exists (if at all). Many companies are looking for creative ways to stay competitive in an ever-changing economy, and one of the most cost-effective forms of changing the way your warehouse works is to introduce these solutions.

Let’s Talk About Essential Solutions!

Whatever your needs may be during this time, we are here for you. We are interested in learning about the challenges you may face. Whether those challenges arose before, during, or after the crisis, we are ready. Give us a call at 800-474-2001, and our experts would love to connect.

We are here to serve you with the essential solutions that are necessary to keep your business optimally running. And, we are here to do so in the highest degree.

project management teams

Storage Solutions’ Project Management teams have decades of experience. Therefore, we have supervised the operations on hundreds of build-outs, dismantles, and relocations across North America. Utilizing our multi-tiered project management approach, these teams oversee every aspect of the project and ensure the project plan is executed from start to finish. This approach translates into creating efficiencies that generate better returns – and fewer surprises – along the way.

When you work with our Project Management teams, you’ll have a detailed project schedule that allows you to see every step of the process. Our teams come equipped to support your project with layout & design services, logistics, installation, on-site project management, and project coordination.

Your Storage Solution Project Manager will be the direct point of contact throughout the life of your project. This single point of contact allows you to have better communication, command, and control as the process unfolds.

Many projects face unforeseen challenges, such as construction delays caused by weather. However, our Project Managers have overseen a multitude of projects and we always try to anticipate the unexpected. Therefore, we know how to keep everything on budget and delivered on time, so you don’t have to worry about incurring additional costs or missing crucial deadlines.

Throughout your project, we are always working to ensure that you are provided with optimal results. Our Project Management teams are ready to take on your next project with you. Get Storage Solutions on your side to guide and navigate with knowledge, strategy, and expertise.

Give us a call at 317.449.1970 or contact us here for your next project, big or small.

Hurricane Florence North Carolina

One thing we pride ourselves on is being able to plan and control every detail when it comes to our projects. However, one thing we sometimes can’t control is mother nature. In this Roxboro, North Carolina project we had to adjust things for that exact reason.

This customer was looking to expand their operation and add a second plant with a single-source solution provider. We were confident we could do exactly that, and had a plan laid out to execute their expansion. What we didn’t plan on was the arrival of Hurricane Florence in the area.

Project Details

The plan was to install the project in two phases, per the needs of the customer. Phase one, which included a main warehouse design, was scheduled to be installed in late 2018. We had planned to have a team onsite leading up to that installation, but with severe weather in the area plans obviously had to change. As a result, this required us to do the bulk of the project consulting off-site. In addition, shipping and other aspects were affected as well. We knew that constant and clear communication would be a huge part of keeping this project on track. Our project management team adjusted to the situation by scheduling extra touch points to keep the customer updated.

Despite multiple obstacles that could have set this project up for failure, our turnkey solutions team delivered. We were able to keep the project on track with our original deadline while keeping the customer happy as well. We are currently wrapping up phase two of the installation, which includes a high density selective racking solution for up to 3100 pallet locations. This is just one of many examples where our team does what it takes to make sure your project is successful.

Want to learn more about past projects we have completed? Check out other case studies from a variety of project types across several industries. Let Storage Solutions be your simple, smart and strategic partner for any of your upcoming project needs!

SSI Turnkey Solutions

You’ve heard us talk about our turnkey solutions, but some people may wonder what exactly we mean by that. To us, it means we want to be your one stop shop for anything and everything your project needs. When you contact Storage Solutions to begin the process of completing your warehouse project, our goal is to be the only vendor you need to contact. We have a great team in place to assist with everything from products and install, to your final inspection.

At the forefront of our turnkey solutions is our project management offering. When you work with our team you will be assigned a project manager who will be with you from start to finish. They will provide you with a project schedule and will hold regular calls to update you each step of the way. Their main goal is that everything stays on time and on budget, while keeping our customer happy.

Along with a project manager, we also offer several other turnkey solutions. These include installation, safety audits, permitting and logistics. Learn more details about each of these turnkey solutions here. Let us help with your next project by offering you a solution for every square foot and a helping hand each step of the way.

One of the many benefits you will receive when working with our project management team is a detailed project schedule. This schedule is created online through Smartsheet and is included with any project we work on. From equipment delivery, to your go-live date and everything in between, you will be able to see a detailed outline of everything to expect.

A detailed schedule to take the hassle out of your project

With all the dynamic facets that come with a project, it can be difficult to ensure things work out perfectly. Our team will create a road-map for the project, finding all paths necessary to meet necessary deliverable dates. This will help to ensure your project is not only done on time, but also on budget. With this schedule continuously updated throughout the life of the project, you will always know what to expect. Furthermore, we ensure that all time on your project is fully utilized by coordinating equipment deliveries, installation crews, etc.

 

In addition to having access to this tool, our team will be in contact with you every step of the way. From the day that you purchase your equipment to well past the project’s completion, we will be your partner throughout the entire process to ensure you are satisfied.

Above all, our goal is to be the experts to take on project management and save you headaches. If you want to learn more about our full project management service, click here.