Logical Storage News

5 Common Warehouse Management Pitfalls

Although warehouses vary in many ways including size, shape, and stock, they all have one thing in common. Effective management is required for a warehouse to run efficiently.

Managing a warehouse effectively is not always easy. Meticulous planning, execution, and monitoring are required to achieve optimum efficiency.

Even with the best intentions, it can be easy for managers to become complacent, overlook issues, and make mistakes, oftentimes without even realising.

Read on to find out some of the most common warehouse management pitfalls and what you can do to avoid making mistakes.

Poor inventory management

Inefficient management of your warehouse inventory can lead to serious problems.

Having too much or too little stock, or incorrectly stored stock can result in inaccurate records, misplaced inventory, and wasted time.

Keeping unnecessary or expired stock is taking up valuable space which can be used to store inventory that is actually required.

To prevent this from becoming an issue, make sure that you monitor incoming and outgoing inventory and regularly review what is being stored in the warehouse.

Inefficient layout

Not utilising your space wisely is one of the most commonly made mistakes that can have a detrimental impact on the efficiency of your warehouse.

You should review your warehouse layout regularly, at least once per year, to ensure that it is still functioning to the best of its ability.

It is a good practice to also review the layout whenever there are any changes to inventory so that you can accommodate and adapt to these changes.

You do not need to start from scratch to improve the layout of your warehouse. Small changes such as moving certain stock to a different area or implementing new racks can have a big effect on productivity.

Outdated technology/systems

Having outdated or a lack of warehouse management systems or software in place is a mistake.

Even small to mid-sized warehouses will benefit from adopting technology. A warehouse management system can help you to track, manage and locate inventory, and analyse data, quickly and easily.

Although it will require time and money to be invested initially, a warehouse management system is sure to be cost-effective and reduce operating expenses in the long run.

Recurring safety issues

Warehouses can be busy environments with a variety of machinery and equipment operating within them on a daily basis.

It is therefore imperative that safety precautions are put in place and any issues are assessed and dealt with promptly.

Ensure that regular risk assessments are carried out in your warehouse to help you to identify any potential risks or hazards.

You then need to follow these assessments up with corrective measures so that potential accidents and injuries, as well as associated costs and litigation, can be avoided.

Insufficient training

Are employees properly trained in health and safety, and manual handling? Are forklift truck drivers, machine and equipment operators, and people working at heights, operating machines and equipment, and driving forklift trucks all qualified to do so?

If not, you need to ensure that any employees without sufficient training refrain from carrying out any of these activities until proper training is provided and completed.

Training and development of staff is critical in ensuring the smooth running of your warehouse and the safety of the warehouse staff, their colleagues, and any visitors, as well as in improving the productivity and effectiveness of your workforce and warehouse.

For professional advice on how you can optimise your warehouse, get in touch with 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 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.

5 Things to consider when planning a new warehouse racking installation

When it comes to planning a new warehouse racking installation, there are several factors you should consider to help ensure that things go smoothly and you get the best results from your new racking.

There is a variety of racking types available, and it can be difficult to know which would be the ideal solution for your warehouse.

For example, do you need standard wide-aisle racking, or would drive-in racking be better suited? But, then again, instead of drive-in racking, why not use dynamic push-back racking instead? We think you get the picture!

Having suitable racking can contribute towards improving the efficiency and productivity of your warehouse, and maximise its storage capacity. Planning out your new racking setup will help to ensure that you do not waste time or money, and achieve the best results.

To help guide you to selecting the ideal racking for your warehouse, here are some key things to consider when planning a new warehouse racking installation.

Why do you need the racking?

The first thing you should do is ask yourself why you are considering getting new racking installations. What do you wish to achieve? Do you need a larger storage capacity or easier access to stock?

Once you acknowledge the main reasons new racking is required and how it could benefit you, it will be easier to identify what the best solution for your warehouse would be.

What stock do you store?

The type of stock that you store, and how quickly it moves in and out of your warehouse, will have a considerable influence on which type of racking would be most suitable and effective.

Different types of racking are better suited to different types, shapes, and sizes of product, and some types of racking are better for a fast turnaround of stock than others.

What types of racking are available?

Do some research into the various types of racking available and familiarise yourself with them. This will help you to identify which type of racking will best suit your needs.

Here is a selection of the different pallet racking systems available:

● Wide aisle

● Very narrow aisle (VNA)

● Double-deep

● Drive-in / drive-through

● Dynamic push back

● Dynamic pallet flow

● Mobile

● Shuttle

What are the building requirements?

When planning the installation of new racking, you need to take into account your building requirements as this will influence what types of racking you can have.

Take a look at the flooring in your warehouse. The flooring is what is going to bear the weight of the racking and its contents so it must be able to support the load.

The thickness and material of your flooring, and having underfloor heating, can have an impact on the amount it can hold.

You also need to ensure that there is adequate clearance above the racking for a sprinkler system, and the height to which you will be able to reach, as this will determine the maximum height of your racking.

What is your budget?

Whenever it comes to spending money wisely and making a good investment, you will need to consider your budget.

To help you to determine an appropriate and realistic budget, you should consider how beneficial this investment will be to your warehouse and business, both in the short term and long term. Consider how much time and money this investment could save.

Once you have a budget in mind, this should help to narrow down the potential options by eliminating those that would exceed your budget.

With so many options available and a lot to consider, it can be difficult to identify exactly which particular type of racking would be best for your warehouse.

Thankfully, our experienced and helpful staff are on hand to guide you through the process to ensure that your racking meets your needs as well as safety requirements.

At Logical Storage Solutions, we do not have a “one size fits all” approach. Get in touch with us today on 0845 689 1300 or via [email protected] for free and independent advice.

How to get your warehouse ready for the Christmas season

The holiday season is almost upon us which means it is time to start preparing for one of the busiest times of the year.

With an increase in sales, comes an increase in demand and work, and also workplace injuries. Therefore, it is important that while you are planning for the holiday rush, you take steps to maintain a safe workplace.

Layout Review

The first thing you need to do is conduct a review of the warehouse layout, and assess whether it is fit for purpose and equipped to take on the increase in demand and traffic through your warehouse.
Check that everything is well-organised, that you have enough space to store additional stock, that inventory can flow effectively through the warehouse, from arrival to departure. These should be your main priorities.

Process Review

There will be more stock passing through your warehouse than usual, which means any potential issues will be exacerbated.

Follow the process from goods in to goods out to identify any potential pinch points or areas for concern, and take action to make improvements as soon as possible.

Space Requirements

Warehouses often see a large increase in inventory towards the end of the year, in anticipation of the holiday rush.

Bear in mind that you may receive an influx of inventory that needs to be stored away for weeks or even months before the busy period.

Free up as much space as possible by performing pallet consolidation, filling primary locations to maximum capacity, and adding racks or temporary storage solutions, if possible.

Material Handling

Making improvements to your material handling, by installing mezzanine floors or conveyor systems, will improve safety, increase efficiency, and help to maximise storage capacity.

Contingency Plan

Try to have contingency plans in place for any potential failures. Where possible, have back-ups for anything your warehouse relies on for its smooth operation, such as its power, equipment, tools, or machinery.

Staff Requirements

Many companies take on extra staff to help during busy periods. Determine whether this is something that you need to do in order for the warehouse to run efficiently and cope with the increase in demand.

Ensure that all staff are fully trained in their area of work and are familiar with the health and safety policies and procedures to try and reduce the risk of injury or error.

Review the holiday policy and leave requests to make sure there will be enough staff working each day to effectively get the required work done without stretching them too thin.

Inspection & Maintenance

You should inspect and test all equipment and machinery to ensure that everything is working properly. If anything is not in full working order, ensure that it is fixed or replaced as soon as possible – this includes any back-ups.

Making sure that all equipment and machinery is maintained before the rush, will increase your chances of you getting through the busy period without a hitch.

Post-Rush Review

Throughout the holiday season and the lead-up to it, you should take note of what steps you take, what goes well, and what does not go well. You can then review this and learn from it so that you can be prepared for next year, and everything will go more smoothly.

Consultation

To ensure the smooth running of your warehouse not only throughout the festive period, but all year round, you should seek advice from professionals.
Logical Storage Solutions can help you to create a warehouse that is productive, efficient, and maximises space. Contact our expert team on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected], to find out how.

We are an innovative provider of storage equipment and interior workspaces for both industrial and commercial environments including office partitions 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.

Factors to consider when buying new pallets

Pallets are an essential item in most warehouses, which are required to effectively store and move stock.

Although pallets may appear the same, there are many different types of pallet available. They can differ in size, durability, capacity, and construction.

Here are some important factors you should consider when selecting the ideal pallet type for your warehouse or to transport your products on.

Location

When it comes to pallets, location matters. Will the pallets be kept inside or outside? Will they be in a hot or cold environment? Will they be on the floor or on racking? Where and how your pallets will be stored should be taken into consideration when selecting new pallets.

Destination

If you plan to ship abroad, you will likely require heat or chemically treated pallets. These treatments protect the pallets from mould, rot, and pesticides, which pallets tend to become prone to in transit, if not treated.

Load

You need to consider what is going to be stored or shipped on these pallets and how this will affect the type of pallets that you will need.

The size, shape and weight of the products will also have an effect on what type and size of pallets you will need, and the required load bearing capacity.

Size

The standard size pallet in the UK is slightly bigger than the European standard. There is no universal standard size of pallet. Therefore, you need to make sure that you always check the dimensions before buying pallets as sizing can differ.

Construction

The material and method of construction of a pallet will have an effect on its durability and life expectancy. Pallets are most commonly made from wood, but the type of wood used can make a significant difference.

For example, pallets made from hardwood such as poplar are less likely to stain or leach. However, poplar in particular is less durable than other types of hardwood. You can also get plastic pallets which are typically more durable, but also more expensive.

Hygiene

There is no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has made people more conscious about hygiene and cleanliness.

Particularly if you will be storing or transporting food items or pharmaceuticals, you should look to invest in pallets which are hygienic and easy to clean, such as plastic pallets.

Sustainability

People are also becoming increasingly conscious about the environment, in an effort to work towards a more sustainable future.

Although plastic pallets are more expensive, they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. You can get recycled and recyclable plastic pallets, and they should outlast wooden pallets by up to 20 times.

Picking the ideal pallets for your requirements can be difficult and overwhelming. For expert advice, consult our expert team at Logical Storage Solutions so we can help you make the right choice. Call us 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 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.

Warehouse Design and Storage Tips and Tricks

Improving your warehouse layout can boost productivity and efficiency but designing or changing a warehouse layout can be quite complex.

Redesigning your warehouse can ensure you optimise the space available and increase storage capacity and enhance safety.

To ensure you get the best out of your warehouse design and storage, we have compiled various warehouse design and storage tips and tricks to help you get started.

Define Objectives

Before beginning the planning process, you should determine and clearly define your objectives. These should be aligned with the overall warehousing strategy and aid business objectives, such as reducing costs or providing excellent customer service.

Know Local Building Codes

Do you know what clearance is required from the top of a pallet load to the sprinkler heads? Do you know whether your warehouse is situated within a seismic area which means special design considerations need to be made?

It is important that you familiarize yourself with your local building codes regarding warehouse product storage to ensure your warehouse complies with them.

Understand Goods Circulation

Observe and understand how goods move throughout the warehouse and the logistical operations involved in the dispatch, receipt, and order preparation processes.

Know how often the product is rotated, and how often loads are moved.

Determine Spatial Relationships

Once you have a clearly defined project, the next phase in the process is to develop an overall plan.

However, before starting to plan the layout of the warehouse, you should determine spatial relationships between areas of the warehouse. The flow of the warehouse may be compromised if you do not consider these.

Start With A Schematic

It is best to get everything down on paper before installation commences. If you have the blueprint for the warehouse, this will help to speed up this step and ensure accurate planning.

Test The Layout Design

Before you start installing new racks and shelves, you should also test the layout design by doing a walkthrough of the warehouse so that you can visualize the new layout and make sure everything is ready for installation and will flow well.

Mark out major work areas using masking tape and make sure you can carry things, roll pallet jacks, and that employees will be able to carry out work activities through the gaps between the outlines.

Ensure Adequate Lighting

Inadequate lighting can cause safety issues and result in decreased worker productivity and efficiency due to poor visibility so proper lighting plans must be in place.

Accommodate Future Growth

When planning your warehouse, you should consider future projected growth, and try to accommodate for potential growth to reduce the need to redesign your layout again in the future.

Regularly Review The Layout

Put an ongoing process in place to regularly review the layout of your warehouse to help you to identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement.

Reviewing the configuration of storage areas and the efficiency of processes in a warehouse is considered best practice and is critical to ensuring that space is utilised effectively.

Talk To Experts

It can be tempting to just dive straight into planning your warehouse layout without consulting a professional. However, for best results and to avoid any hiccups, it is important that you seek input from experts, such as contractors or warehouse managers.

Contact our expert team on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected], to find out how we can help you to create a warehouse that is productive, efficient, and maximises space.

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

Warm Weather Tips for Warehouses

Summer is here, and with it comes warmer weather and days out in the glorious sunshine on your days off from work.

However, if you work in a warehouse or factory, days at work are not so enjoyable. When it is hot outside, it can be almost unbearable.

Although there is no legal maximum temperature when it comes to working conditions, it is important that measures are in place to ensure workers do not overheat.

Extreme heat can cause workers to become tired, which can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Also, when tired, it is easy to lose focus and make mistakes that can lead to accidents and injuries.

Here are some tips for both employers and workers to help keep warehouse workers cool while working in extreme heat.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

It is always important to stick to guidance set out by employers and wear clothes that are safe and suitable to wear in warehouses.

However, it is also important that they are comfortable. During warmer months, try to wear clothing that will keep you cool.

Look at the materials that your clothes are made from. Clothes made from cotton, linen, or rayon are more breathable and will wipe away perspiration from the skin.

You could even invest in a cooling vest which is specifically designed to lower or stabilise your body temperature.

Stay Hydrated

When you are hot, you sweat more, and the more you sweat, the more fluid you are losing. The more fluid you lose, the more dehydrated you become.

So, it is important that you up your fluid intake on hot days, especially if you work in a physically demanding job.

This does not necessarily mean that you need to drink lots of water. You can also get the fluids you need from fruit, vegetables, and milk.

Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine. These are both strong diuretics which means they will make you urinate more than usual, thus causing you to lose more fluids.

Learn Your Cooling Points

Your wrists, neck, and the inside of your knees and elbows, and other areas where you can feel your pulse, are known as cooling points.

If you apply something cold to these cooling points, your blood will cool down as your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin in these areas.

Run them underwater, or put a cold, damp towel on them while at work. Concentrate on the easier to access areas such as your wrists and neck.

Install Fans

Install high volume, low-speed ceiling fans to keep air circulating, even over large areas. If this is not a viable option, provide or permit small, portable fans to help keep workers cool.

Insulate the Ceiling & Walls

Prevent cool air from the night before from escaping during the day by insulating the ceiling and outer walls of the warehouse.

Insulation will help keep the warehouse warm in the winter, as well as cold in the summer, provides added fire protection, and reduces noise levels.

Use Air Conditioners

Rent or purchase portable air conditioners and use them in areas where they are needed most to cool down workers.

They typically cost less to operate and are more efficient than air conditioning that is designed to cool down a whole building.

Renovate Your Warehouse

If heat is a real concern in your warehouse, it may be time to consider a complete renovation or refurbishment of your warehouse.

Get in touch with Logical Storage Solutions’ expert team on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected], to find out how we can help you to create a warehouse that is not only cooler, with improved airflow, but that is also more productive and maximises space.

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

Best Storage Options for Heavy Items and Equipment

With managing a warehouse comes a need to understand the requirements associated with storing products and to invest in equipment to meet those needs whilst maximising the capacity of the warehouse effectively. Here we discuss the best storage options for heavy items and equipment.

One of the biggest challenges you will be faced with is effectively storing heavy items and equipment. It is important to carefully consider how these items will be stored to optimise capacity and improve the efficiency of the warehouse management system.

There are several ways you can store heavy goods. When assessing the best method for your warehouse, take into consideration the effect that the storage solution or equipment will have on the warehouse’s capacity and productivity.

It is important that you select a solution that will not only store heavy products but will also maximise the available space and not restrict the movement of people or equipment in, out, and around the area.

Cantilever Racking & Storage

Cantilever racking is one solution to effectively storing heavy goods. This type of racking is supported at one end and extends horizontally. This means it can hold items of various lengths and weights, which makes it a popular choice for storing heavy, long, or bulky items.

Adjustable, versatile, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use, cantilever racking maximises the space available. As the front is completely open, it is easily accessible, which means forklifts can load and unload goods with ease.

It is also hardwearing, which makes it a long-lasting and cost-effective solution, and can be tailored to suit your storage requirements and warehouse environment.

Mobile Cantilever Racking

For warehouses that have minimal space available, mobile cantilever racks may be the ideal solution. They have the same benefits as standard cantilever racking, but with the added benefit of being moveable, allowing for increased density.

Telescopic Cantilever Racking

Although static to the floor, telescopic cantilever racking can crank stored goods in and out, helping to optimise capacity and allowing for a higher density of products to be stored.

The design of this type of racking is based on that of the classic cantilever rack, meaning it has all its advantages, but with the added benefit of additional storage options due to it having telescopic shelf brackets with extendable storage levels.

A-Racking

An alternative option to cantilever racking is A-racking. This solution Is ideal for more awkward to store items such as planks, slats, or strips. These items can be stored vertically within the A-racking system.

A-racking maximises space as both sides are open, so items can be stored on both sides.

The spacing can be adjusted horizontally and vertically to suit the thickness, height, and quantity of items being stored.

To find out more about solutions to storing heavy products and equipment, and to ensure you effectively optimise your warehouse capacity, get in touch with Logical Storage Solutions on 0845 689 1300 and talk to a member of our expert team today.

For tailored storage solutions that are fit for purpose, you can trust Logical Storage Solutions. With over 10 years of experience, we can engineer a bespoke racking solution that meets the requirements of your food storage warehouse.

How to Make the Most of Your Warehouse Space

Effectively utilising your business space can be highly beneficial. Not only because poor use of space can mean you are not getting good value for money out of your space, but also because this can help to improve efficiency and productivity. Follow the advice below to ensure that you make the most of your warehouse space.

If you are looking to store more, before expanding or investing in more space, you should first look at your existing warehouse space. You may be able to maximise and better utilise the space you already have.

The primary use of a warehouse is to store stock or components so you must maximise the space available to ensure you can store as much as possible.

Extend Your Racking Vertically

If you are looking to create more space or store more in your warehouse, you should first look at whether you can extend your racks up vertically. This can help to maximise your warehouse space without taking up any surface area.

Reconfigure Your Racking

You may be able to reconfigure your existing racking to enable you to store more. For example, if your largest pallet is 1 metre but your racking is set at 2 metre intervals, then you could bring your racking down and be able to fit more beam levels in, allowing you to store more pallets.

Before reconfiguring your racking, you should always check with the manufacturer or supplier of your racking that it is safe to do so.

Install a Mezzanine

Adding a mezzanine is a great way to increase space in your warehouse. Installing a mezzanine can provide you with almost double the floor space. It is also more cost-effective than expanding your warehouse or investing in a larger space.

You will need to check whether the floor loading can handle a mezzanine before having one installed. Also, you will need to ensure that the columns and base plates holding the mezzanine in place would not cause significant disruption on the floor below.

Change Your Storage Medium

Switching your storage medium to higher density equipment can increase your storage capacity. For example, double-deep racking, or push-back or drive-in racks. If you have single-deep racking, you may want to swap this out for double-deep racking.

Reduce Aisle Widths

Look at how wide your aisles are and consider whether they need to be as wide as they are. Try to get them to the minimum width required for product and machinery to pass through, without compromising operating efficiency.

Store Off-Site

If you require extra space temporarily or have excess inventory for certain items, consider using some type of off-site storage such as a trailer or crate.

Consolidate Your Stock

Do a thorough stock check and ensure stock is stored as efficiently as possible. If you have two half-full pallets of the same products, consolidate the stock onto one pallet to free up space.

You may also find that you have stock that you no longer use or need. Alternatively, depending on the type of product you stock, that may have expired. Removing this dead stock will provide you with more space.

Seek Professional Advice

To make sure you get the most out of your warehouse, bring in professionals to evaluate your set-up and to advise you on how best to maximise your existing space.

Here at Logical Storage Solutions, we have over 10 years of experience in engineering bespoke racking solutions for warehouses. For expert advice on how to best utilise your warehouse space, call us on 0845 689 1300 today.

How to maximise productivity in a cold storage warehouse

There are many factors to consider when you are looking at maximising productivity and efficiency in cold storage warehouses.

Read the following tips and tricks to find out what you can do to help ensure that your cold storage warehouse is performing to the best of its ability.

Maintain the Temperature

Cold storage warehouses are used primarily for storing food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items, so it is imperative that the temperature is maintained to preserve the products in the warehouse and to also minimise running costs.

Monitor the Temperature

Monitor the temperature closely inside the warehouse and note any changes. If there are any significant or persistent changes to the temperature, you should get in touch with your refrigeration contractor to find out whether there are issues with the cooling system.

Keep the Condenser Unit Clean

Allowing for maximum airflow will help to improve efficiency of a cold storage warehouse. Condensers are designed to remove unwanted heat from a cold room, so it is important that the condenser unit is kept free of dust and debris to enable it to do perform effectively.

Check Doors and Their Seals

Refrigerated air can escape if there are any problems with your doors or their seals, which means that the cooling systems will have to work harder to maintain the temperature, thus increasing running costs.

You should replace doors or their seals as soon as you notice any cracks or damage in them to prevent this from happening.

Clean the Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils use refrigerant to absorb heat and lower the temperature of the air. To make sure that the coils can do their job properly, you should ensure that they are always kept clean to prevent restrictions to the airflow.

Consider the Effect on your Workers

As well as the cold storage warehouse itself, it is important to also consider the effect that working in cold temperatures has on workers and their impact on the productivity of the warehouse.

Working in a cold storage warehouse can make workers cold and uncomfortable, which can result in a reduced morale, work rate, attention span, and accuracy. This can cause workers to become agitated and more prone to errors and incidents.

To help make workers more comfortable, you should invest in high-quality thermal uniforms for them to wear in cold storage warehouses.

Choose the correct storage system

A cold storage warehouse requires an intense amount of power to run therefore it is important to maximise storage space as much as possible. This not only allows you to store more stock in a smaller space, it reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the items the required temperature.

Carry out inspections regularly

Having an inspection schedule will help to ensure that changes and signs of potential issues are identified and dealt with quickly and efficiently, thus preventing damage and unnecessary costs.

It is imperative that your racking and storage solutions are checked on a regular basis. The extreme conditions of a cold storage warehouse means you need storage solutions that are durable and working at their best.

For assistance in preparing and monitoring your cold storage system, or if you think it may be time to upgrade your storage warehouse, call us on 0845 689 1300 to speak to a member of our expert team.

Here at Logical Storage Solution, we have over 10 years of experience in engineering bespoke storage solutions to suit each individual client’s needs.

Top Tips for Food Storage Warehouses

There are thousands of warehouses in the UK which store millions of products. Different warehouses have different rules and regulations, but none are more stringent than those in food storage warehouses.
Although it is important that good hygiene practices are maintained in any warehouse, it is especially important in food storage warehouses.

These warehouses require more than just regular cleaning and maintenance to comply with the additional health and safety standards that come with storing and distributing food. Food storage warehouses must be properly maintained to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses.

Here are some tips to help ensure the smooth operation and compliance with health and safety standards in food storage warehouses.

Choose the Correct Storage Solution

Having correct and effective storage systems in any warehouse helps to ensure its smooth operation. This is particularly important in food storage warehouses as you need to reduce the risk of spoiling or contaminating food.

Invest in a Good Pallet Racking System

Pallet racking is the best choice for palletised inventory, particularly in a cold room or freezer storage. It is also ideal for maximising capacity in areas where space is limited.
We recommend that you invest in a sealed compartment pallet racking system for a food storage warehouse.

Sealed beams will mean that there is a lack of crevasses for any dust, insects, and food to build up. This makes this type of racking system easy to clean and maintain and reducing the risk of contamination.

Properly Maintain the Storage Systems

You should always practice good hygiene in food storage warehouses, and ensure they are regularly and properly cleaned, sanitised, and maintained.

Having storage systems that are fully galvanised will allow for thorough sanitisation of the systems without causing them to rust or the paint to flake off and contaminate the food stored in the area.

Avoid Storing Food on the Floor

Food stock should never be stored on the ground. This makes it easily accessible to rodents and increases the risk of it becoming damaged and contaminated.

It is important you get a pallet racking system that enables you to store food stock safely above the floor.

Practice Efficient Product Rotation

Most food items typically have a much shorter shelf life, which is why efficient product rotation is so important. This will help to reduce shrinkage caused by stored products going out of date.

First-in, first-out (FIFO) racking systems make it easy to carry out efficient product rotation. Load new stock onto the back of the system with older stock at the front where pallets are unloaded.

This ensures that the oldest pallets are always at the front of the picking line. Therefore, implementing automatic product rotation, and saving you both time and money.

For tailored storage solutions that are fit for purpose, trust Logical Storage Solutions. With over 10 years of experience, we can engineer a bespoke racking solution that meets the requirements of your food storage warehouse.

To find out more about our storage solutions, call 0845 689 1300 to discuss your requirements with a member of our expert team.