Three Tips to Keep Your Warehouse Build Safe, Efficient and Flexible

By Ryan Boucher

When installing core elements of a warehouse, it is crucial to hire apartner with an experienced team that prioritizes safety and efficiency above all. Image courtesy of Wize Solutions, Inc.

Being in the warehouse business is not for the weary – there are a lot of pain points due to constant demand for space, safety, modernized equipment, code enforcements and more. Even changes in consumer trends and the need for expedited delivery causes that evolution to keep pace. With this added pressure on warehouses to adapt to new technologies and processes, keeping up with warehouse builds and proper infrastructure continues to be a difficult feat. Despite the pressures that these changes are placing on the industry, it remains important to consider some important factors to ensure your warehouse rack buildout is safe, efficient and as a long-term solution, despite rapid industry change.

1. Code and safety standards in the region. The complexities of seismic zones in California alone vary from region to region – in some cases from city to city, making it exceptionally challenging to know whether your rack design is keeping up with code enforcement or in violation of these important standards. Are the materials and slab meeting the needs of the customer and flexible for the future? In areas that are more prone to natural disasters such as tornados and hurricanes, are the rack structures built to withstand high winds, water and other unpredictable factors keeping the area safe for workers and goods in the case of emergency? Hiring licensed contractors who have experience with area permitting is key to ensuring these details are carefully thought through before the warehouse design and installation takes place.
2. Installation partner. When installing rack, shelving, overhead doors and other core elements of a warehouse, it is crucial to hire a partner with an experienced team that prioritizes safety and efficiency above all. Taking the time to meet with potential partners, understand their priorities and values as a business to determine their qualifications is a process that should not be rushed. Choosing partners who are well established and credible within the industry can make all the difference. Despite the push for faster fulfillment times many companies are facing, it is important to have an installation team that understands the seismic, permitting and safety standards of each region as well as one that will install materials correctly and efficiently. Choosing a team that understands the needs of your individual facility is key. Whether trying to expedite a project or operating in a nimble way to ensure that when structure plans change on the fly during a build or even year-to-year when it’s time to retrofit, the correct team will help set your warehouse up for success from day one.
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   Rack installation should take into consideration aisle width, mobile equipment needs, pedestrian walkways and more. Image courtesy of Wize Solutions, Inc.Ju

   Employee safety. As a warehouse operator, employee safety is a top priority for everyone. However, even before your rack is installed, keeping safety as a part of the planning process will help jumpstart the long-term goals for employee safety into the future. Considerations should be made for aisle width, mobile equipment needs (forklifts, automation, order picking, etc.), pedestrian walkways, battery charging, safety stations and more. Knowing how many shifts are being run in a warehouse and when exactly these shifts are changing and taking place ahead of the build can help determine what layout would best ensure efficiency and safety. Once those decisions have been made, creating a racking system that is durable and secure will help keep employees safe, even when unanticipated accidents happen. A priority when installing a warehouse storage system should always be enabling warehouse employees and installation crews to co-exist safely, so that your team is taken care of during growth and expansion. When your warehouse team can actively see you prioritizing safety, they are free to complete their tasks and projects knowing they are working for an organization who cares for them and plans to ensure everyone goes home to their families each night.

Many tasks previously handled by humans are being changed to automated systems. Tech-driven roles are becoming more prevalent as employees are facing new responsibilities and are requiring additional training to fulfill them safely and efficiently. As this evolution continues within a warehouse, knowing who to partner with to keep operations moving smoothly is key. From your construction crew to the rack installation and beyond, expertise will enable your success. Planning within your own team to ensure the proper people are hired for the job truly promotes the longevity of your warehouse and ultimately your team.

Ryan Boucher is VP, Business Development, of Wize Solutions Inc., a leader in material handling installation solutions. Wize has the experience, industry relationships and high standards to get the job done safely and on time, with installation crews trained annually to be up to date on industry innovations. Wize offers specialty installation services for shelving, wire guidance, mezzanine, lockers, industrial fans, rack repair, curtain walls and anything else needed to build, retrofit or upgrade a warehouse. https://wizesolutions.com/