Effective warehouse management does not only consist of processes. Its efficiency is also influenced by the optimal use of the space intended for the storage of many groups of goods. The warehouse can be expanded with the use of platforms in order to increase profits without the need to interfere with the structure of the entire building.

Universal solution for all groups of goods

On the storage platforms, you can store general cargo, heavier devices, products that require further segregation, and longer building materials. A bridge is a temporary or permanent addition to the warehouse, often appearing in urgent cases, and due to the simplicity of implementation, the investor does not incur high costs. Warehouse platforms communicate well with other order picking areas and do not interfere with the movement of forklifts.

Personalized designs better suited to the processes occurring in the warehouse

Warehouse ditch manufacturers provide customers with many options to personalize their order. What extras to consider? It is worth considering the dimensions adapted to the processes occurring in the warehouse, the connection of the platform with other storage systems, the type of floor, security and access control methods.

A platform on the pier, i.e. further expansion

If one storage platform is fully developed, another one can be introduced until the space is exhausted. Some structures are moved ad hoc from warehouse to warehouse due to easy disassembly. An important advantage is also a large base span. The platforms in the warehouse provide quick access to goods and are distinguished by one of the highest price-quality ratios on the market.

Summary of the benefits for warehouse management

Platforms are an opportunity to quickly expand the warehouse space, partly vertically and horizontally, with the only limitation in the form of the size of the property. Durability, quick movement of employees, adaptation to most procedures in the warehouse and modular expansion are the most important advantages of the solution. Before ordering, visualizations or consultations with an experienced designer will be useful.

The end and beginning of the new year is a great time to create forecasts for various sectors of the economy. In 2021, the warehouse management grew to levels unheard of in history, and investors, even in a difficult pandemic period, made money on decisions to expand the usable space for storage.

What are the challenges facing the warehouse economy in 2022?

It can be assumed with high probability that the demand for new warehouse space will not fall, but due to higher interest rates some investors will face more difficult choices regarding the location of new warehouses. In 2022, city logistics, quick access to consumers, and automation will become more important. In recent years, consumers have moved heavily to the e-commerce sector and started shopping for basic products in online stores. This forces the warehouse economy to diversify and expand the storage space for various groups of the assortment. Producers of modular warehouse equipment will benefit.

What factors may affect the warehouse management in 2022?

pressure to raise interest rates, thus increasing the cost of crediting investments,

the need to secure the supply chain (paradigm shift from global to local producers),

higher costs of employment and running a business by “Nowy Lad”,

pressure from the EU environmental policy (FIT 55),

high inflation that is already approaching 9% in January 2022. High inflation can significantly lower the demand for products over time, which is a big problem for the warehouse management.

Investments pay off in just a few years

Warehouse market reports make it clear that this sector has been the least affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. E-commerce services will drive the warehouse economy even more in 2022. Distribution centers compete with delivery times. Location close to cities and larger agglomerations will probably become the key to commercial success.

The comfort of the forklift operator is influenced by the quality of the forklift itself, but also by the arrangement of the warehouse equipment, which does not cause additional downtime and does not limit visibility. Pursuant to EU directives, employers must control the risk of a forklift operator’s work and focus on depreciation, efficiency, and regular inspections of racks.

Adaptation of the forklift and access technique to the assortment in the warehouse

One of the basic steps to increase the operator’s comfort is the individual adjustment of the cabin, including reducing the vibration of the seat, proper positioning of the floor, armrests, and placement of supporting accessories. Better trucks use driving assistance systems that eliminate the risk of skidding, warning lights or even bars that protect the worker against accidental fall of heavy goods. Pallet racks are set up in such a way that the trolley has no problems with access and access to the assortment. In case of difficulties, you can extend the vehicle with adjustable forks or invest in a reach truck, depending on the type of warehouse management.

Common accidents at the work of a forklift operator and control assumptions

Most accidents at an operator’s work, based on data from the Central Institute for Labor Protection, occur due to errors in the construction of a forklift, structural defects of racks and external factors, usually random. This ineffective control and neglect of security measures cause the greatest risk, and thus actually reduce the comfort of work. The warehouse must not allow people to be lifted on the forks, the forks to catch on protruding elements of the pallet racks and collisions with other storage devices. Therefore, the operator is expected to constantly concentrate and check the environment in which he performs his duties. This is ultimately the foundation of comfort.

 

The comfort of a forklift operator is an important variable for the efficiency of warehouse management, and at the same time a highly problematic area that requires constant control, not only of the employer, but the operator and co-workers.

Safe warehouse management reduces losses resulting from damage to goods, and at the same time improves the comfort of employees’ duties. For this reason, it is worth considering an inspection of the storage racks before the end of the year. Why is rack inspection not only a legal obligation, but also an important service affecting the warehouse economy?

What can the inspection show?

The expert inspection of the racks shows the entrepreneur whether it does not violate the load capacity of the structure beyond the manufacturer’s indications and whether the warehouse has properly marked paths for forklifts and employees. If the rack load is regularly exceeded, the equipment may be damaged or some elements may collapse – damaged racks pose a real threat to employees.

How to organize reviews?

The warehouse owner should appoint an employee responsible for the ongoing control of the storage systems. Mandatory inspections of warehouse racks are carried out once every 12 months, although it is worth making a detailed inspection more often, for instance once every six months.

Summary of the advantages of expert rack inspections

elimination of downtime caused by damage to warehouse systems,

complementing the legal standards for warehouse management,

reduction of losses resulting from damage to goods,

greater staff safety.

The warehouse market is growing and developers have announced the construction of over 3 million sq m. new storage space for various assortment groups in the coming year. Even international corporations focus on warehouses that are the most neighboring with their recipients. In Poland, the demand for warehouses exceeds the supply, which is a certain optimization problem.

How to fight with limited space in the warehouse?

The greatest difficulty in running warehouses in Poland is the struggle with limited space. The solution to the problem is usually warehouse mezzanines and the expansion of the vertical space, without the need for general renovation of the entire building. Warehouse platforms with an elevator and stairs that can withstand heavy loads are an opportunity to increase the efficiency of warehouse management.

Investments in the warehouse market dominated by the largest corporations

Investments in the warehouse market have been dominated in the last year by large concerns and the logistics, trade and e-commerce sectors. Currently, warehouses are under pressure to partially break the supply chains, and renting storage space costs a lot in the largest agglomerations.

Increase in labor costs and changes in consumer habits

Big problems concern the increase in labor costs in warehouses. The tax wedge on the employment contract and the mandate contract is approaching the average, or even European leaders. The closing of the economy also partially changed the habits of consumers. The warehouses also handle complaints, returns and must use damaged or expired products in such a way as not to disturb the efficiency of the core business. Investments in computerization and process automation solve most of the difficulties.

At the end

The warehouse market is ruled by the largest corporations, and operating close to consumers becomes the main factor of success. More and more investments involve the use of storage platforms that enable vertical, not only horizontal, development. It is a convenient solution that more and more entities are choosing.