Archive for the ‘mezzanine flooring’ Category

Which businesses can benefit from mezzanine flooring and why?

Mezzanine flooring can offer many benefits to businesses in most industries. They offer versatile additional space which can be used for storage, office, or workspace.

Read on to discover some of the key businesses which can benefit from a mezzanine floor and why. First, here is an overview of what a mezzanine floor is.

What is a mezzanine floor?

A mezzanine is a smaller intermediate floor between the main floor and the floor or ceiling above. It can be freestanding or attached to an existing wall.

It does not cover the whole floor space so you can see the floor below from it and it does not typically qualify as a floor within a building.

Mezzanine floors are a cost-effective solution to expanding a space without having to relocate or undertake major construction work.

Now here are some of the business types or sectors that are most likely to reap the rewards from mezzanine flooring and why.

Self-storage

If you have a company that provides self-storage facilities for your customers, space equals money and, if you experience increased demand, you may find yourself needing more space so that you can take on more customers.

Rather than hiking up rental costs or construction fees, or purchasing more property, consider a mezzanine floor which will be a quicker and more cost-effective solution instead.

Industrial and manufacturing

Ample storage and working space are essential to businesses in the industrial sector. A cramped work area can have a negative impact on productivity and efficiency, as well as being potentially dangerous.

A mezzanine will provide you with an additional work area or storage space so that you can free up more space and reduce clutter elsewhere to avoid errors and accidents.

Another potential benefit of mezzanine floors in manufacturing businesses is that they can also serve as a sort of bridge, allowing you to get from one area to another, or as a viewing platform for visitors and tours of the premises, without having to go through the factory.

Restaurants and eateries

If you operate a restaurant business that is regularly full and you are having to turn customers away, mezzanine flooring may be the solution you need.

Location is often key for eateries so if you move to larger premises you may lose loyal customers and not get the same footfall. Rather than cramming more tables and chairs into the existing space, add a mezzanine on which you can accommodate more guests.

Retail

Much like with restaurants, location is key when it comes to retail space, and the cost of commercial space is increasing, especially in sought-after areas.

When it comes to needing more space, relocation is not always feasible, and expanding outwards or upwards may not be possible if you have shops or other commercial space above or beside you.

If you want to expand your stock, or simply spread out your existing stock, increase your offering to include workshops or a cafe, then consider a mezzanine floor.

Offices

An organised and tidy workspace makes for a productive and efficient workforce. If your offices are starting to look cluttered or you are expanding, or there is little recreational space, consider adding a mezzanine floor.

This will allow you to declutter your offices, add more office or meeting space, or even add a seating area where staff can relax during their breaks.

Gyms and leisure centres

Leisure facilities should be spacious and airy, not cramped and cluttered, both for safety and wellness.

You need to have a safe distance between gym equipment and machinery, and areas for people to warm up and do stretches.

Having a mezzanine floor will allow you to further spread out your existing equipment or bring in additional equipment, or to provide a space in which to run classes. This will attract and allow for more users.

If you think your business will benefit from mezzanine flooring, or for more information, call our expert team at Logical Storage Solutions on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected].

Logical Storage Solutions is an innovative provider of storage equipment and interior workspaces for both industrial and commercial environments, including office partitions, warehouse racking, and mezzanine flooring.

Offering a consultative approach and nationwide service for all single and multi-site operations, we are your one-stop provider of all storage, workspace, and maintenance solutions.

Tips to Optimise Warehouse Storage

It can be difficult to determine when a warehouse has reached its maximum capacity. However, once 80- 85% of the space is being utilised, a warehouse may start to notice a decline in efficiency and productivity. If there is not sufficient space, the pallet movement around the warehouse can slow down significantly. Some warehouses have to resort to temporary floor pallets which can reduce aisle movement and even cause hazards. Here we share the benefits of an optimised warehouse and tips to improve warehouse storage space.

Why Optimising Warehouse Space is important

Although it can take time to optimise the space in a warehouse, the benefits that can be gained from doing this tend to outweigh the time and effort. Here are just some of the benefits.

Save money

Once you have optimised your warehouse space, the available space will be larger. Therefore you are in a great position to store more items in your warehouse and order more products from your suppliers in a single transaction. This bulk buying can help lower the cost per unit, saving you substantial money over time.

Increase employee productivity

Once a warehouse is optimised, employees will be able to carry out their jobs more efficiently. Not only will this create an increase in productivity, but you will also probably find your employees more satisfied with their work. Having your staff work efficiently and effectively will improve your service and increase the number of orders you can fulfil.

Avoid missing sales

A risk of not having a warehouse large enough or optimised can be running out of stock. If this happens regularly, you will be missing out on sales. This can hopefully be avoided by having a warehouse optimised and an increase in storage capacity. Although the stock may still run out, the warehouse should encounter fewer issues and avoid backorders.

Ways to improve warehouse storage space

The benefits of an optimised warehouse are clear however, the difficulty is creating an action plan to optimise your warehouse. Here are some of the ways you can improve your warehouse storage.

Analyse your inventory

Before redesigning your warehouse and floor plan, take stock of your inventory first. This is a great way to quickly free up space. If you have old inventory that you don’t think will sell, you may want to consider liquidating overstock, if this is financially viable.

Understand the flow of production

Again, before making any changes, understand your warehouse processes in detail. Does your current warehouse layout facilitate the flow of your process? Is there a lot of unnecessary travel. Once you have the process mapped out, you can plan your warehouse around this process to make it more efficient.

Check if you have multiple locations

Do you have any multiple locations for storing the same item? If you do, consider combining these. Not only will it use space more effectively, but it will also help employees find items and keep track of stock quicker if they are all together.

Go vertical

Many warehouses do not use their vertical space as efficiently as they could. Calculate how much vertical space is not being used. Ensure you are always within the health and safety guidelines, however, there are many ways you can successfully increase your vertical storage space, freeing up precious floor space.

Install mezzanine flooring

An effective way to use vertical space is by installing mezzanine flooring. If you have the correct permits to do so, mezannine flooring can be used to house functions that do not require tall storage. Although there is an investment with installing mezzanine flooring, when used correctly they can really help maximise the space available.

Use off-site storage

For items that are out of season, or for overstock, an offsite location can be considered. These facilities allow you to free up a lot of space in your warehouse and is ideal for items you do not need for the near future.

Measure your aisle width

How wide are your aisles? You need to ensure they are wide enough for machinery and equipment to go through but you could also be wasting space if they are too wide. Aim for the minimum width required to do an efficient job.

Consider deeper storage

You should not only take into account the height of your storage, but also the depth. In some places in your warehouse, you may want to consider double-depth racking for certain items.

Match storage slots with size of the product

Make sure you match items with their storage space. For example, keep the shallower racking for small items and deeper storage for bulkier items. Ensuring the slots match helps keep wasted space to a minimum but also makes picking products a lot easier for staff.

As the list above proves, there are many ways a warehouse can optimise its space. Although moving to a new warehouse is always an option, it is an expensive investment that can also be disruptive Therefore, a business should ensure their current warehouse is optimised before exploring new premises. Doing so can save a lot of money and time.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality mezzanine flooring for your business and are ready to discuss your warehouse storage requirements. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

How to Optimise Your Warehouse

Customer expectations continue to grow. An increase in online shopping makes people want access to a huge range of products quickly and easily. With many retailers offering next day delivery and free returns to match these high expectations, the need for warehouses to be optimised has never been greater. Here we discuss how to optimise a warehouse.

Are your products placed on racks correctly?

This may seem simple but it is surprising how many warehouses may not be placing their items correctly on the racking. The opening heights in your racks should get smaller or bigger depending on the load it is holding. As a rule of thumb, openings should be more than 6-inches taller than the load itself, allowing easy removal using a forklift.

Adjusting the rack height accordingly allows warehouse owners to completely customise the layout to specifically suit their products.

Consider the popularity of each SKU in your warehouse. An effective strategy can be to place slower-moving products in shorter rack locations. This can work well as the SKUs will not be picked as regularly, meaning that they do not need as much space.

Have you chosen the right racking system?

There are many racking systems to choose from and it’s important that you match the racking system to your individual business needs. You need to consider both the weight and size of your inventory and ensure the racking systems are optimised for this. The higher the number of beams in the racking system, the more weight it can carry. However, it also means there is less space between each one. It is, therefore, a balancing act to figure out the ideal racking system for your goods.

Are you optimising your space?

Warehouses have plenty of space. However, usually, this space is height and many warehouses do not make the most of this. A large proportion of your spare space will be higher up. Therefore, mezzanine flooring should be considered for those seeking more space to smooth their operations. They are great places to have additional storage or even office space, saving the floor level space for inventory only.

Are your aisles correct?

It can be tempting to narrow your aisles in order to fit more in, however, you need to consider this carefully. By doing so, you are limiting the space between the aisles. This can have a negative impact on efficiency if people struggle to manoeuvre through the aisles. Although you need to fit all your stock in the warehouse, you also need to ensure that the process is smooth and the warehouse remains a safe environment for all employees.

If you are struggling to make the most out of the space you have, then consider the points discussed above. Asking yourself these points may reduce the need to relocate or expand your warehouse by ensuring you are using all your current space to its greatest potential. Optimising your warehouse takes some planning, however, when done correctly you will end up with much more efficient operations which in turn can help you increase your revenue and output.

8 things to consider before investing in mezzanine flooring

A mezzanine floor is a partial floor that is added to premises that have high ceilings and provides extra space which can be used for office space, retail space or storage. Although a mezzanine floor can look amazing and provides vital space, there are some things you should consider before you make your purchase as it is a big financial decision that needs sufficient planning.

1. Check building regulations
Although the majority of mezzanine floors do not alter the exterior building and therefore do not require planning permission, this is not always the case. Check you do not require planning permission before moving ahead with the project. The rules vary significantly depending on your area and what type of building you have, for example, if your building is attached to someone else’s building or if it’s a listed building. If you do not ask first whether you need permission and it ends up having to be removed, it will be costly for your business in both time and money. If you are in doubt, check with your local authority.

2. Available height
The main measurement you must make is whether your ceiling is high enough to accommodate a mezzanine floor.

3. Size
Take into account the size of the floor you want to install, the size of the room and the size of the items you want to place on the mezzanine flooring. If you do not consider all of these measurements now, you will not be creating a mezzanine floor that matches your exact needs and makes the most of the additional space you could be creating.

4. Purpose
Before you start your mezzanine project, make sure you know exactly what its purpose is going to be. If its office space or storage, it will have an impact on its design and also how much weight the flooring has to support. These are all key considerations at the design stage.

5. Design
There are many interesting things you can do when designing a mezzanine floor so ensure you make the most of the space available. For example, if you are using the floor as office space, you could incorporate storage or bookcases into the balustrade that prevents people from falling over the edge.

6. Fire Safety
If adding a mezzanine level makes your business a three story premises, you will need to consider additional fire doors which again need to be factored in at design stage.

7. Temperature
As heat rises, the mezzanine flooring is at risk of becoming very hot. This will potentially have an impact on what you are storing if it is temperature sensitive. Also, if you are using it as office or retail space, you will need to consider what additional measures you will have to invest in in order to ensure people do not get too warm. This includes fans or an air conditioning unit.

8. Accessibility
If you are using the mezzanine floor as storage, you need to ensure people can access the items with ease and without compromising their safety. You need to ensure a secure handrail is provided and people are not carrying big or heavy items down the stairs.

This checklist should not deter you from getting mezzanine flooring as it can provide amazing additional space. However, by considering the list above, you will ensure that you have considered exactly what you want to gain from the flooring, meaning you are getting the most value from your investment.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high quality mezzanine flooring for your business and can discuss your warehouse storage requirements. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

Finding Extra Space in Small Warehouses

It is inevitable that as your business grows, you will find it a struggle to find sufficient space in a warehouse. Moving to larger premises with more space may seem like the next logical step, however this can be both an inconvenience and a huge expense. An alternative is to find extra space in your existing warehouse by considering innovative storage solutions which you may not have considered before. It can be surprising how a few small changes can make a large impact on the storage available, which will help your business continue to run smoothly and grow.

If you use your space efficiently and effectively, it can ensure your business can increase its productivity. Here are a few of our tips and solutions that you may want to try and consider.

Warehouse design
First of all, you should look at your existing warehouse plans. Looking at them closely, it may become obvious that you are not using all of your space effectively. Most warehouses evolve over time and can lead to adding bits here and there without looking at the entire design. Use a professional to help if you need it, as they can see potential space that you may be missing.

Increase floor space
You need to make sure you are getting the most out of your floor space, however existing floor space is not the only option. Consider the height of your warehouse and think about whether or not you are using all of this height to your advantage. If you are not, could you consider buying racking which can increase your storage significantly? If racking is not suitable but you desperately need floor space, could you look at having a mezzanine put in which will instantly provide you with valuable space.

Check where your inventory is placed
Always check to make sure the products in your warehouse are in the most logical place. Are the items which you need access to regularly easy to get to? Are any of your items seasonal? If so, do you ensure these non-seasonal items are out of the way and swapped over with the items you actually need? The main thing to remember is that a warehouse will usually change over time. What used to be a product you needed all the time may now not be. If this is the case, ensure you have changed the layouts around to reflect this. It will make the most of the space you have and also make your employees’ work easier, thus increasing productivity. Also, consider how much inventory you actually have to store in your warehouse. Are there any products you could buy in smaller batches?

Regularly tidy
This is an obvious one, but ensuring the warehouse is tidy will automatically make the most out of the space you have. Use signs and labels wherever possible to ensure all members of staff know exactly where everything is located.

Ask your staff
As good as it is to hire professionals when looking at a redesign, make sure you ask your staff as well. These are people who work there every day and know the warehouse the best. They will have valuable information about what they think works and doesn’t work which you will find helpful. They may also have some amazing ideas you hadn’t even considered before.

For more advice on storage solutions for your warehouse, we are here to help. At Logical Storage we have plenty of experience with helping businesses to move up rather than out. We offer a no obligation consultation where we can assess your individual needs and offer cost effective and practical solutions. Click here to find out more or alternatively call us on 0845 689 1300.

What are the benefits of Mezzanine Flooring?

Deriving from the Italian word “Mezzano” meaning middle, mezzanine flooring provides an additional level between the main floors of a building. As long as you have sufficient vertical space available, a mezzanine floor could be a viable and beneficial option for your company. Here are just a few of the benefits you can gain by investing in it.

It is low cost
In comparison to having an extension built to your premises, a mezzanine floor is a convenient and low cost alternative

No need for relocation
If you have exceeded capacity at your current premises, a common option is to relocate. This, however, has many issues and will involve not only the costs of moving but also the cost of finding an alternative, larger space. Installing mezzanine flooring a way around this.

Maximises work space
A mezzanine floor can potentially double the work area you currently have.

Adds space and storage
A mezzanine floor could almost double the work area you currently have. They also provide that extra storage space many companies want.

It adds value
Adding mezzanine flooring can add value to your property in the long run as you have added valuable extra space. The value it can add will vary depending on the type and size of flooring you have installed.

It is bespoke
There are many options to choose from as the floor will be adapted and made especially for you to match your individual needs.

It is multi-functional
Whether you need it for additional storage or offices, mezzanine flooring can be adapted to meet those requirements.

Fast construction
Compared to building work if you were to have an extension, the instalment of a mezzanine floor is relatively simple and therefore can be done quickly, meaning you will have additional space quicker than if you had to extend or relocate.

Causes minimum disruption
Due to how quick the structure can be put up; this also means the amount of disruption caused in the work place will be kept to minimum. This is an amazing benefit for companies as it means the business can continue to function as usual and at normal capacity whilst the floor is being built.

No planning permission required
Although you will still need to ensure the addition of the mezzanine flooring meets both the building and health and safety regulations, you do not require planning permission for the project to be carried out.

Uses wasted vertical space
A lot of warehouses include vertical space which is never used. Mezzanine flooring allows you to create more floor space and optimise the space used.

It is adaptable
As the flooring is built from a light weight steel structure, it is very flexible and can be adapted to almost any warehouse. It can also be taken down if necessary, which is beneficial for premises that you rent.

Integrates easily with warehouse systems
Mezzanine flooring will fit seamlessly into your working environment and can be integrated with other warehouse systems such as pallet racking or conveyor systems, which can improve the efficiency of your warehouse operations.

Here at Logical Storage we have plenty of experience with helping businesses to move up rather than out. We offer a no obligation consultation where we can assess your individual needs and offer cost effective and practical solutions. Click here to find out more or alternatively call us on 0845 689 1300.

Smart storage solutions for the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the biggest in the UK today, employing over 73,000 people and contributing more than £8million to the UK’s GDP. However, as a profit-driven industry the success of individual companies and organisations relies on very tight margins. Every link on the supply chain from research and development right through to fulfillment must be conducted with the utmost precision – and the role of warehousing in this process is no different.

Cutting edge storage solutions and efficient fixtures can make a profound impact on an organisation, helping them to meet the high pressures and demands on their business. Solutions like customisable racking, shelving options and mezzanine floors can add that much-needed edge over competitors, helping to simplify stock management and make efficient use of the space that is available.

Mezzanine floors are both practical and cost-effective for warehouses in need of space, and that need to operate in a timely fashion. These areas can be used for a wide variety of situations from packing and labelling areas and space for more storage through to laboratories, staff break areas and admin areas – whatever is required to meet you’re the requirements of your business.

The pharmaceutical industry presents unique challenges that require clever solutions. Products often need to be handled in a specific way, tracked and checked for expiration dates. They might need temporary or bulk storage or need to be segregated away completely from other stock in a sterile or highly secure environment.

From pallet racking to long span shelving, there are a variety of different solutions available to help you manage your inventory and meet any specific requirements and standards you need to uphold.

Logical Storage specialise in both industrial and commercial storage equipment and offer a wide range of innovative products to increase your available storage and also improve productivity. We know that no two businesses are the same which is why we prepare quotes fully tailored towards your business and its unique needs. For more information and to talk to one of our experienced team please call us now on 0845 689 1300.

Relocation – is there a better alternative?

In busy periods when your stock is piling up, orders are coming in thick and fast and new employees are joining your business, it’s not an unfamiliar sight to see a warehouse manager left scratching their head. However, believe it or not – relocating to new premises when you’re feeling pinched for space isn’t always the best strategy. In fact, the costs incurred can end up putting your business further behind at a time when continuity is vital. Here are a few points to consider before you take the plunge.

Storage
One of the key reasons for feeling claustrophobic in a warehouse is poor organisation. Often delays in processing can be caused by inefficient storage systems – your most popular items being stored at the back, rather than the front of racking, for example.

It’s worth investigating alternative racking solutions such as wide aisle, double-deep, drive in/drive through and dynamic forms of racking, as well as shelving options before you commit to the often unnecessary cost and time involved in moving.

Space
Another reason businesses sometimes choose to move somewhere else is that they feel as if they need more space to work with. Perhaps, they’ve found a key piece of machinery that could help take things to the next level, or they need somewhere to house extra stock or members of staff. Whatever the reason for wanting to move, a viable alternative is often right above their heads. Many businesses operate in warehouses which quickly fill up on the ground level but by installing a mezzanine floor they can monopolize space that would otherwise be wasted using it to house new equipment, create extra workspaces, install more storage solutions or create an area for offices, toilets or breakrooms.

Logical Storage specialise in both industrial and commercial storage equipment and offer a wide range of innovative products to increase your available storage and improve productivity. We know that no two businesses are the same which is why we prepare quotes fully tailored towards your business and its unique needs. For more information and to talk to one of our experienced team please call us now on 0845 689 1300.

How top-level efficiency in warehouses can help to boost profits

When it comes to warehouse efficiency, brands like Amazon are clearly leading the way. The retail giant’s Amazon Prime Now launch is the latest demonstration of how quickly and efficiently they can process orders, with customers near 27 of their American stores able to order selected prime products and have them delivered within just 60 minutes for a special fee.

Whilst this kind of extra-level efficiency isn’t a practical offering for most UK based businesses, the attitude of trying to reduce delivery times and make chains as efficient as possible is certainly something that you should be striving towards. Here are a few carefully chosen methods that can help you on your way.

1 – Look up
Mezzanine floors are one of the most popular solutions available for improving your operations in a warehouse. Continually chosen by businesses as an alternative to moving premises, mezzanine floors help you use the space above your head to provide extra space for you to work with.

2 – Organise your stock
Racking and shelving solutions are fantastic options available to you. We have a wide variety of options to help you better organize your inventory with different systems that can be built to your exact requirements including options like wide aisle and dynamic push back racking and carton flow or long span shelving.

3 – Take Health and Safety matters seriously
Health and Safety Regulations are absolutely critical for businesses, especially those operating warehouses. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act means that if a serious accident happens due to a neglect of your Duty of Care then you could be found liable, which can mean damage to your reputation as a business, loss of earnings, fines and even imprisonment. A key aspect of Health and Safety in warehouses is ensuring that all of your equipment is safe and secure. For warehouse owners we provide a popular racking inspection service to make sure racking is fit for purpose.

Here at Logical Storage, we know that no two businesses are the same and you may need a combination of different solutions to help optimise your warehouse.  For a tailored proposal designed to meet the specific needs of your business, call us on 0845 689 1300.

3 ways you could improve your warehouse operation starting today

Every warehouse is different and while there is no one way to do things, there are some common issues that we encounter that if tackled correctly have been proven to help businesses do even better. Here are three ways that you can improve the day-to-day running of your warehouse operations starting today.

1 – Organisation

For a business to thrive, their warehouse needs to be clinical in its operations. This means reducing wastage wherever possible, and a well organised warehouse is the key to doing just that. You should turn a critical eye to every action that takes place in your building on an average day and look for ways to speed things up. This could be something as simple as better managing your available space through storage solutions like shelving and racking, or a large-scale change like installing a mezzanine floor to house state-of-the-art machinery.

2 – Commit yourself to Health and Safety

Many businesses view their Health and Safety responsibilities as a burden. However, good Health & Safety management not only shows your employees that you care, but also helps your bottom line. If you cut down on accidents like slips and trips, then you can drive down the number of sick days your employees take off work to recover. Even the smallest of trips can cause long-term damage to your workers who may then develop recurring health issues. What’s more if there is a serious accident at your site and you are proven to have failed in your duty of care then you could risk heavy fines as well as damage to your reputation. Start now with a racking inspection.

3 – Look after your staff and they will look after you

Following on from getting a firm grip on your Health and Safety duties, another way that you can reduce the amount of sick days your employees take is to ensure that your warehouse is a positive place to work. Investing in your employees by providing them with a place to eat their lunch, toilets, a rest area or even just providing them with extra space to carry out their duties can make a big impact on their morale and make them work even harder for you. Take a look at our office partitions for inspiration.

Here at Logical Storage, we know that no two businesses are the same and you may need a combination of different solutions to help optimise your warehouse.  For a tailored proposal designed to meet the specific needs of your business, call us on 0845 689 1300.