Logical Storage has been praised by one of their clients for doing a fantastic job when installing a state of the art new pallet racking system into their brand new warehouse.
Based in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, Stiller Warehousing and Distribution is a regional third party logistics provider with over 50 years of experience in the sector. Established in 1954, this family-owned business has a wealth of experience in transport, distribution and warehousing and has worked with some of the best known manufacturers and resellers in the country. They provide cost-effective warehousing and distribution services to businesses in the North East region as well as commercial property lettings, and currently employ 140 people.
Stiller recently opened a brand new state-of-the-art £1.1million warehouse as they look to expand into new markets. This new warehouse has increased by nearly 50% the family firm’s warehousing capacity at its premises in the heart of Aycliffe Business Park. Logical Storage Solutions was responsible for the design, supply and installation of the new 21st century VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) pallet racking system. The racking system fills the 40,000 sq ft warehouse and will hold up to 5,000-pallets. VNA pallet racking means that each and every pallet is 100% accessible and the system makes excellent use of both the building height and the floor space. As well as fantastic space utilisation, VNA pallet racking also results in very fast throughput speeds and hassle-free loading and unloading. It is straight forward and quick to install and conforms to all European and British Standards.
Stiller’s Managing Director Paul Stiller said: “The new warehouse offers excellent space utilisation thanks to the fantastic racking system that was designed, supplied and installed by Logical Storage Solutions. The racking system has helped to make our warehousing and distribution process much more efficient, which in turn makes us more competitive and with that brings the prospect of more jobs. Also, because of the new racking equipment we will now be able to target different types of businesses, including food-based clients and pharmaceutical companies, because the new facility is a very clean and efficient working environment. We are absolutely delighted with the work that Logical Storage carried out for us – the quality of their work and their performance from the conceptual stage right through to the completion of the project was second to none, and we would happily recommend them to anyone.”
For more information about Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, please visit http://www.stiller.co.uk/
Logical Storage Solutions is an innovative provider of storage equipment and interior workspaces for both industrial and commercial environments, including pallet racking systems. As no two problems are the same, Logical Storage offers a consultative approach to understand business’s operational priorities. With their head office in the Midlands, they are able to offer a nationwide service for all single or multi site operations, and are a one stop provider of solutions to all storage, workspace and maintenance problems.
1974 saw the implementation of strict legislation regarding health and safety that all businesses must now adhere to, but in the pursuit of faster, more profitable and more efficient methods of production and distribution, businesses often view these guidelines as an unwanted burden. Frequently, we find examples of businesses implementing the bare minimum when it comes to meeting these standards. However, it is important that they change their attitudes and start to see that health and safety is not a burden, but is, amongst other things, an opportunity to improve their profitability. This article explains how.
Staff turnover
Going above and beyond health and safety requirements can help to create a work environment that workers not only feel comfortable in, but also in which they feel assured they are getting the best protection possible from occupational dangers. This is likely to increase job satisfaction and encourage them to stay at your company for longer; not only saving your business time and money that would have normally been spent on advertising, recruiting, interviewing and training up new staff, but also keeping hold of their valuable expertise.
Lessened threat of legal action
Many high profile law cases over the years have been found to be rooted firmly in poor health and safety practises. You should not put yourself in a position where you can be placed in the firing line because of poor health and safety standards, or better, you should aim to prevent accidents from happening all together. Going above and beyond your health and safety requirements not only protects employees from accidents, but also protects the business from exposure to litigation and negative media attention. Occupational accidents can not only be expensive, but also catastrophic to the company’s brand image, and can lead to a lot of negative PR. It’s therefore much more sensible to ensure these accidents don’t happen, even if it involves enforcing a few more rules.
Reduced risk of failure
In any case, the regular inspection and repair of machines, storage systems and other equipment, such as racking is likely to reduce the chance that it will break all together. Not only can this be extremely expensive to replace, but it also has the potential to cause harm to harm to your workers as well. Therefore, it pays to perform regular inspections for any potential faults, catching them early before them become a big problem. Cars are regularly checked for any issues and so too should workplaces, as just like cars they pick up wear and tear over the years.
At Logical Storage we believe that health and safety should be at the core of a modern business strategy. We pride ourselves on delivering a service where safety is considered paramount, not just because of health and safety legislation, but because it makes good business sense. For more information on how Logical Storage might bolster your health and safety efforts, please visit http://www.logicalstorage.co.uk/services/rack-inspection/ or call us on 0845 689 1300.
The safety enjoyed by those working today is generally expected and to some degree taken for granted by many, but the truth is the relative safety we now experience within the workplace is over 200 years in the making.
You don’t have to look far back into history to see examples of catastrophic failures of health and safety, but these same disasters have paved the way for reforms that now put worker safety at the forefront of the modern business strategy. This blog will take a brief look at some of the legislation that has helped shape the modern workplace.
Today, legal requirements are in place to protect individuals, but if you take a look back to the start of the industrial revolution there were far less of these stipulations present. As a result, industries such as the cotton trade were typified by long hours of labour, and the nature of the work being done meant that the workplace was extremely hot, with steam engines further contributing to the heat in this and other industries. Machinery was not always fenced off and workers would be exposed to the moving parts of the machines constantly, often loosing limbs whilst working for very little money. Children were often employed to move between these dangerous machines as they were small enough to fit between tightly packed machinery. All these different factors led to workers being placed in a great deal of danger, facing serious injuries and often death.
In 1833, the Factories Act led to the creation of the first factory inspectors and the first real commitment to improving workplace safety. Initially charged with preventing injury amongst child labourers, they came to exercise considerable legislative influence on factories around the UK. By 1860 their sphere of influence had greatly increased. No longer simply observers, they became well respected advisors in their own right, and as this culture of inspection grew others came to respect the minimum standards that were acceptable. These inspectors played an important part in laying the foundations for the further legislation that was to follow.
The introduction of the Quarries Act in 1884 and the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act in 1956 were signs of this same commitment spreading to other parts of UK industry. They marked a nationwide commitment to safer working conditions and gave inspectors the necessary regulatory clout to enter premises and enforce legislation, ultimately improving working conditions.
1974 saw the implementation one of the most recognisable pieces of legislation used in today’s industry, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and also marked the departure of prescriptive and detailed regulations put in place by previous act; which were often hard to follow and difficult to adapt to different contexts. In its place a much less prescriptive and more goal based regulatory system was established that, for the first time, involved both employers and employees in the designing of a modern health and safety system.
Since this time, a number of different industry specific acts have been formed and implemented such as the Asbestos Licensing Regulations (1993) and the Noise at Work Regulations (1989) that have all helped to contribute to a working environment where individuals can be sure that they are protected.
Here at Logical Storage, health and safety is central to all the work we do, and we pride ourselves on going above and beyond industry standards. To find out what Logical Storage can offer you, call us on 0845 689 1300 or visit our website for more information.
Warehouses face a constant battle with space, and this can cause a headache for even the most experienced of managers. As businesses grow, so too does their need for storage space, and many businesses might find their current facilities are unable to deal with the demands placed on it. Of course there is the option to move location, but this can be costly, disruptive and time consuming.
Perhaps the answer instead might lie with utilising the full potential of current facilities, and making the most of the space you already have. Pallet racking systems can prove extremely useful when looking for ways to do this. These systems can be configured in a variety of ways, and each one serves a different purpose.
In a drive in drive through racking system, units are stored one behind the other along continuous beams. This is particularly suitable for large volumes of products, and proves to be a good alternative to block stacking for loads which are far too fragile to be stacked on top of each other.
As a result of being able to stack units behind one another, this eliminates the need for traditional loading aisles, and in doing so greatly increases space within the warehouse compared to standard pallet racking which would require different aisles for accessing individual units.
All businesses are subjected to change at some point; drive in/drive through racking systems offer a great deal of flexibility when it comes to dealing with these changes. Easy to install and highly adjustable, these systems offer a good solution to the uncertainties placed on demand. It’s easy to adjust the beam positions, allowing for firms to make alterations depending on the size or shape of different units that might need to be stored. In addition, these systems provide warehouses the opportunity to quickly expand their capacity, as new racks can be easily installed alongside existing ones as storage demands increase.
If you are interested in finding out more about our drive in – drive through racking systems, or other styles of racking solutions, then please call us on 0845 689 1300 to discuss your needs in more detail.
Dynamic pallet flow is a first-in / first-out (FIFO) automated storage system that allows you to efficiently maintain a high density of storage. This system allows you to save up to 60% of floor space compared to conventional racking systems and the automated aspect ensures that the picking aisle is constantly stocked.
Dynamic pallet flow systems use a roller conveyor track set at a slight incline which allows pallets to move freely from deposit to collection. The roller conveyor track is supported by a racking system and wheels and brakes are used to control the speed of the pallets’ movement.
Operating these systems is simple: pallets are loaded from the rear (the highest point) and off-loaded at the front. When a pallet is removed from the front the pallet directly behind it moves into the picking position to become first in the queue. This gravity assisted roller system allows for quick and efficient inventory turnover.
This dynamic racking system is ideal for food distribution, freezer warehouses or in any situation where a high-volume of customer goods is present. As well as being quick to install, one of the main benefits of this system is that it allows loading and unloading to be performed in different aisles. This allows operators to carry out their duties without the hassle of congestion issues or interruptions.
When tailoring a dynamic pallet flow system to your business requirements, Logical Storage Solutions will need to know the amount of space available and the size and weight of the items being stored. This information will then be used to calculate:
When it comes to storage, many businesses find themselves at a loss as how to make the most of the space that they have available. Logical Storage provides a wide range of storage solutions to help make the most of the space that businesses have to work with; one of these solutions comes in the form of Carton Flow racking.
Carton Flow racking is an innovative shelving system which utilises wheels and rollers to move products from one end of a rack to another – saving the operator and the business valuable time, reducing travel time and saving up to 30% floor space.
The picking system that Carton Flow racking uses is made up of wheels and roller shelves which are slightly tilted in order to gravitate products towards the person who is picking them which decreases picking times and maximises efficiency. The operator hand loads the product into the back of the system and can stand back as it is automatically moved to the front of the system ready to be retrieved by another operator. This reduces distribution times and helps to reduce the risk of accidents which might occur during normal transit.
Carton Flow racking is a high performance dynamic storage system and as you might expect, the initial investment costs are higher compared with static solutions like office shelving, To discuss Carton Flow racking or to find out more about our other storage options please call us on 0845 689 1300.
If your company’s premises are looking a bit tired or you need to restore the property back to its original state then you may wish to consider a refurbishment for a number of reasons. As well as the aesthetics and the practical use of a workspace it is possible to increase floor space, upgrade services and update facilities to comply with any regulation changes.
A simple way to increase your floor space is to utilise a racking or shelving system which will allow your business to make the most of the available space while providing more room to efficiently store large quantities of items. An alternative could be to build a mezzanine floor which would provide significant extra space while having a minimal impact on the building’s existing floor space. Mezzanine floors are built independently of a building’s main structure, supported by steel and positioned between floors. Additionally, you might wish to separate certain areas of your business and office partitions can be an ideal solution to create designated office space.
A redesign might apply if you plan to change the use of the building and are required to meet new regulations. On the contrary, if you are a tenant nearing the end of your lease, you might be contractually required to restore your current property back to its original state. This means dismantling, removing and relocating aspects of the building which you have introduced. Furthermore, you will be required to repair any damage to the floors, structure or fixtures.
Any major changes to a workspace can disrupt business but at Logical Storage, we can put together a structured refurbishment solution that minimises the impact of the required developments. For a tailored proposal designed to meet the specific needs of your business, please call us on 0845 689 1300.
Posted on: February 25th, 2015 by admin No Comments
Racking systems are a staple part of many businesses day-to-day activities throughout a variety of different industries. Racking systems allow businesses to make the most of the available space in their warehouses and to store large quantities of items in a highly efficient manner.
Employers have a duty of care over their employees and because of this it is their responsibility to ensure that all racking is safe to use. If an employer fails to uphold their duty of care then they may be liable to fines, prosecution and large compensation pay-outs if a member of staff is injured due to their negligence.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) states that “it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure as far is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his/her employees”. In practice, this means that employers must carry out risk assessments, regularly review them and take appropriate steps to improve safety and remove hazards.
These duties of care underline the importance of businesses employing regular inspections of their racking equipment. In the event of an incident, it can help their case as they can prove that they made reasonable efforts to review the safety of their racking systems.
If racking is overloaded or damaged and in-turn collapses it could have damaging consequences, not only on staff that might be injured but also for the stock that is held on the racking which could be destroyed in a fall.
A racking inspection can help to spot small problems before they turn into something worse. If racking is damaged or has deformities it might reduce the load bearing capacity, in some cases by as much as 40%, which can expose your workers to unnecessary risk.
To get an instant quotation for racking inspections, please click here, or alternatively you can call us on 0845 689 1300 to find out more.
Posted on: January 29th, 2015 by admin No Comments
A lack of space in a warehouse can prove troublesome to businesses. Not only can it reduce the amount of stock you are able to hold, but it could also prove dangerous for employees if their working space becomes restricted too. Creating additional space in your warehouse can be achieved through the following methods and can help you towards a safe and more efficient warehouse.
Mezzanine floors are a perfect example of how you can make better use of existing space. A mezzanine floor is an intermediate level between the main floors of a building. It is erected independently of a building’s main structure and is supported by steel. As a mezzanine floor sits between floors, it makes the most of space that would otherwise be unused and can help to provide extra storage space, additional processing areas or even office space.
Office partitions can be set-up to provide an area to do paperwork, conduct meetings and phone calls or even as a space for staff to take their lunch breaks – freeing up additional areas of your warehouse for storage.
Another key way to make more room is to ensure that the racking and shelving that is being used is the one that is best suited to that businesses operation. For example factors like the type of stock kept, the volume of it and how often access to it is needed, can all play a part.
A lack of space can provide a constant headache to many warehouse owners. However, in many cases, more space can be created by simply making better use of the space that is already available.
Here at Logical Storage, we know that no two businesses are the same and you may need a combination of different solutions to help create space in your warehouse. For a tailored proposal designed to meet the specific needs of your business, call us on 0845 689 1300.
Posted on: December 18th, 2014 by admin No Comments
If you are considering refurbishments to make your workspace more efficient, then an office partition might be suitable for you. But what are some of the advantages that come with choosing one?
Whether you operate from a retail unit, warehouse, office or from within your home there are many advantages to installing an office partition. Privacy can be one important factor in your decision to install an office partition. If you are in need of somewhere isolated from the rest of your warehouse, for example, then an office partition can provide you with a closed-off space to do your paperwork free from distraction.
One of the key reasons for installing an office partition can be the need to have somewhere to bring clients and customers for meetings. Having somewhere that looks professional and conveys the right image can be very important if you want to leave a good impression.
You might need the sound proofing that office partitions can bring. Phone calls, interviews and meetings can all be conducted in confidence and noisy machinery can be blocked out for your own comfort.
Another reason for installing an office partition can be to save money as they are able to be installed in a short space of time with minimum fuss, rather than relocating elsewhere which incurs extra expenses and time.
Office partitions are not only stylish and cost effective; they can also be very adaptable to your needs. Here at Logical Storage we provide office partitions with a wide range of customisation opportunities.
From doors, frames and blinds to ironmongery, sound proofing and fire rating, our partitions can be tailor made to meet your specific requirements.
For more information on creating an office partition in your workspace, please call us now on 0845 689 1300 for a tailored proposal.
Racking 
Office 
Mezzanine 
Shelving 
Rack 
Warehouse 
Rack 
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
