Warehouses are the beating heart of any supply chain. But with the rise of e-commerce, many warehouses are bursting at the seams and searching for excess capacity.
How can you maximize every inch of your warehouse space? Modern storage systems have some slick innovations that can help.
Let’s look at four upgrades that leverage unused space and get more out of your existing footprint.
1. Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
These robotic systems are like giant vending machines for pallets. They automatically stack inventory in towering storage racks. With a click, automated cranes retrieve or deposit pallets without wasted footsteps. The software optimizes the placement and picking sequence. This dense, organized storage helps smash old space barriers.
By utilizing automated cranes in lieu of traditional forktrucks, these applications can use taller racking systems to make the best use of limited footprint. Often systems can exceed 100 ft. in height in the form of a rack supported building.
2. Semi-Automated Rack Systems
Not everyone is ready for a full ASRS solution and that is okay! Semi-automated systems can be a perfect way to introduce automation to your operations. Working in tandem with fork truck operators, these systems utilize shuttles operating in the racking to move pallets. Users can expect increased space utilization, productivity, efficiency and more.
3. Narrow Aisle Racking
Traditional wide aisles designed to accommodate reach trucks can waste tons of space. Narrow aisle racks have tighter footprints to pack in more bays. Special turret trucks zip through the skinny aisles. This lets you use less space for aisles and more for storage. Your capacity and ROI rise as aisles shrink.
4. Multi-Tier and Mezzanine Racking
Skyrocketing order volumes push warehouses to the max. Multi-tier and mezzanine racking help find much-needed space above floor level for case and each picking. Mezzanines create entire new floors for increasing your footprint. Multi-tier racks build multiple layers of shelving up to the ceiling. Forklifts with telescoping booms lift pallets to the heights to place products that are ultimately picked in these innovative racking solutions.
