HOW AND WHY SHOULD WE INSTALL DIFFERENT RACKS FOR PALLET AND NON-PALLETIZED GOODS IN THE SAME DISTRIBUTION CENTER?
STAMH is an international company with more than 15 000 projects around the globe and in many cases, we discover that the best way to achieve the intralogistics KPIs is by combining different solutions. Engineering and installing various Racking Systems in a single industrial space can offer numerous benefits!
This intralogistics strategy optimizes space utilization, enhances operational efficiency, and increases storage flexibility. Below is an in-depth look at why integrating different racking systems is advisable:
ARTICLE INDEX AND BENEFITS OF COMBINING DIFFERENT RACKING SYSTEMS
► RACKING SYSTEMS COMBINATIONS FOR SPACE OPTIMIZATION
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MAXIMIZING VERTICAL SPACE
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EFFICIENT USE OF THE FLOOR SPACE
► OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY WHEN COMBINING DIFFERENT RACKING SOLUTIONS
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IMPROVED ACCESS AND RETRIEVAL TIMES
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BETTER INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
► COMBINING DIFFERENT RACKS FOR STORAGE FLEXIBILITY
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ACCOMMODATING DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOODS
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SCALABILITY FOR FUTURE GROWTH
► ACHIEVING COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN THE LOGISTICS CENTER
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REDUCING CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
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LOWERING OPERATIONAL COSTS
► TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS
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REDUCING RISK OF ACCIDENTS
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MEETING SAFETY REGULATIONS
RACKING SYSTEMS COMBINATIONS FOR SPACE OPTIMIZATION
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MAXIMIZING VERTICAL SPACE
One of the primary benefits of combining different Racks for pallets and non-palletized loads is the efficient use of the vertical space. Conventional Racking Systems, for instance, are designed to utilize the height of the warehouse fully, allowing for the storage of pallets in multiple tiers. This maximizes the vertical space available, significantly increasing storage capacity without expanding the warehouse's footprint;
Mezzanine Racking Systems further enhance vertical space utilization by adding additional floors within the warehouse. These solutions provide extra storage and vast open operational areas, making possible to organize different types of goods;
Different Warehouse Automation solutions are specifically engineered and created to achieve maximum height with a minimum footprint. These are the Vertical Lift Machines, providing secure, vertical storage and optimal products picking and orders assembly operations for non-palletized loads;
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EFFICIENT USE OF FLOOR SPACE
The Mobile Racking Systems from STAMH Group are particularly effective in optimizing floor space. By allowing aisles between the Racks for pallets, to be closed when not in use, these systems free up significant floor area, enabling more efficient storage;
Radio Shuttle Systems also contribute to efficient floor space utilization. They facilitate high-density storage by allowing pallets to be stored deeper in the Racking System, thus maximizing the use of available industrial area;
There are extremely special, new Pallet Racks and Robotic Systems such as the Automated Atlas 2D Shuttle System, where the level of robotization and automation is higher, and the new Atlas 2D Shuttle platforms move both in depth and in width of the racks. Transportation lanes are very narrow, opening more useful storage space for pallets and thus - a more efficient use the floor space in the warehouse;
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY WHEN COMBINING DIFFERENT RACKING SOLUTIONS
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COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT RACKS, LEADS TO IMPROVED ACCESS (STORAGE) AND RETRIEVAL TIMES
Improving access (storage) and retrieval times is crucial for operational efficiency. Live Storage Systems, such as Pallet Flow Racks, or the Carton Flow Racking Systems for pallets ensure that goods are automatically moved to the picking face of the storage system. This reduces retrieval times and streamlines the picking process;
Carton Flow Systems for boxes, cartons and smaller items enhance the efficiency of the picking operations for smaller items, ensuring faster and more accurate orders fulfillment;
Of course, the automation of each repetitive or heavy intralogistics operation leads to further operational efficiency in the distribution center! Advanced WMS – Warehouse Management Systems and software, Automated Dynamic Conveyor Technologies or AMR solutions are able to speed up the transportation, the inventory management and the entire workflow;
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BETTER INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Effective inventory management is another significant advantage of combining different Racking Systems. Automated and Robotic Shuttle Systems for pallets, for example, automate the horizontal storage and retrieval process, which improves inventory tracking and reduces the likelihood of errors. The robots in the Racking Systems are guided by the software each SKU has its destination and description;
Vertical Lift Machines automate the vertical storage and extraction, and the integrated software tracks every single storage and extraction operation, leading to a precise inventory control;
Solutions like MITO and Gangway racks for boxes or smaller items are ideal for organizing smaller items, making inventory management more efficient, and reducing the time spent locating specific items. These Racking Systems create numerous storage locations and each one of them is perfectly accessible and easily findable;
COMBINING DIFFERENT RACKS FOR STORAGE FLEXIBILITY
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ACCOMMODATING DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOODS
Combining various Racking Systems provides the flexibility to accommodate different types of goods. Console Racking Systems are perfect for storing long items like pipes and lumber, while Movibloc Racking Systems are ideal for dense storage solutions needed for archive boxes, books, and similar items;
Businesses that combine different warehousing solutions can diversify their inventory to distribute pallets, non-palletized goods, small items, goods with non-standard shapes and sizes and even long loads. This creates flexibility and adaptability to different market situations;
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SCALABILITY FOR FUTURE GROWTH OF THE LOGISTICS OPERATIONS
Scalability is a crucial consideration for growing businesses. Mezzanine Systems, for example, are highly adaptable and can be expanded as the business grows, providing additional storage space without needing to expand the building footprint;
Even smaller and lighter solutions for boxes and lighter loads like Idea 5 systems, with their modular design, allow easy reconfiguration to meet changing storage needs, ensuring that the warehouse remains efficient and adaptable;
Apart from engineering and new systems, integration companies like STAMH Group use to provide assembly, disassembly and relocation services, regardless of the type of Storage System you need to create;
ACHIEVING COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN THE LOGISTICS CENTER
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REDUCING CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Combining various Racking Systems can significantly reduce capital expenditure. By optimizing current space, there is less need for additional warehouse space, which can be costly, especially when industrial property prices are high and located near larger cities. Mobile Racking Systems, Live Storage Racking Solutions, Self-supporting Storage Systems, and the Automated 2D Shuttle Systems for pallets are created to offer dense and tight pallets storage, optimizing the volume of the facility;
Live Storage Systems also help to reduce equipment costs by decreasing the number of forklifts needed to manage the inventory in the warehouse;
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LOWERING THE OPERATIONAL COSTS
Combining different Racking Solutions allows to organize the process in a smarter and more efficient way. Combining Carton Flow solutions with other Storage Systems for boxes and Conveyor Technologies, organizes the processes in the warehouse so that there is no need for manual operations, covering long distances and searching for items in the warehouse;
Mobile Racking Systems help lower operational costs by reducing the need for extensive lighting and climate control in open aisles. Similarly, Shuttle Systems and technologies minimize labor costs by automating repetitive tasks, leading to substantial savings in operational expenses;
Gravity solutions like Carton Flow and Live Storage reduce significantly energy consumption and costs;
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS
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REDUCING THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS
Safety is essential in any warehouse. Conventional Racking Systems for pallets provide stable and secure storage for heavy pallets, reducing the risk of falling items. Carton Flow and Movibloc Systems are designed to keep items securely in place;
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MEETING SAFETY REGULATIONS
Meeting safety regulations is another critical aspect of warehouse management. Mezzanine Racking Systems are built to comply with stringent safety standards, ensuring a secure working environment. Gangway Systems provide clear pathways and organized storage, aiding in safe navigation and operation within the warehouse;
By strategically combining different Racking Systems, warehouses and distribution centers can significantly enhance their overall efficiency, flexibility, and safety, ultimately leading to a more productive and cost-effective operations. This approach not only maximizes the use of available space but also improves operational workflows and ensures the facility can adapt to future growth and changing storage needs;