FEATURE COVER STORY
NO NEED TO MOVE improved storage yields extra space
delivering usable extra space they have saved many companies the cost and upheaval of relocation. Aluminium profile building systems
company SAPA operates two Couzens Modula storage systems that have given the company the opportunity to consolidate three premises into a single facility. The two 10.3m high units make maximum use of available headroom and provide nearly 400m2
on a footprint of only 28.5m2
of storage space .
International hydraulics component
manufacturer and distributor I.M.M. Hydraulics (UK) Ltd estimates its three Modula units have saved around 120 m2 from old racking locations and bringing in stock from elsewhere on site has yielded further space savings. The 6.1m high units each provide 183 m2
The capital cost in making the best use of existing space may prove more cost-effective than relocating, says Couzens
W
ith cautious optimism in the air companies planning to expand may
well look for larger premises to cope with increased demand. However, according to Couzens Storage Solutions, the capital cost in making the most effective use of existing space may prove to be a more productive, economic and less disruptive solution than relocating. With many companies holding cash in
hand and signs of life in the economy, the Daily Telegraph recently reported that up to 30% of companies were planning to relocate to handle more business. It sounds encouraging but the state of the industrial and warehouse property market may make a move rather more difficult and costly than a few years ago when acres of industrial space lay empty. Not to mention the risk of losing valuable staff, disruption to business operations and the steep learning curve of working in a new environment.
E.comm growth has soaked up the
stock of spec warehousing, leaving very few properties on the market. With so few empty premises available any decision to move almost inevitably means a bespoke project from a developer. As well as a potential time delay of a year or two it’s largely a seller’s market so companies have to pay higher rents or prices to provide the developers’ property margin. Compared with the potential cost of moving,
S8 MAY/JUNE 2014 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS
investing in new storage and handling equipment and systems may well be more economic and release space for additional business while delivering improved stock management.
STOCK AND SPACE REVIEW Working in the same place every day often blinds us to what is before our eyes so it’s worth taking a fresh review of the premises. Look for unused space in racking and shelving, under the roof or on mezzanine floors. How much stock is on the floor or difficult to reach – or even stored outside? If you are planning to expand how much and what type of additional stock do you need to hold? There will be many further issues specific to the business but the more management truly understands how stock and materials are stored, the easier it will be to spot opportunities. Each company will find its own solution
but for an increasing number of engineering, manufacturing and distribution companies, storage and retrieval lifts and carousels provide a cost-effective and productive answer.
LIFTS AND CAROUSELS Vertical lifts and carousels deliver a more creative solution for many storage tasks with savings of up to 90% on space as well as providing faster picking and improved stock control. Crucially, by
space on a footprint of only 14.32m2
access to any item stored in seconds. Even where relocation is the answer
lifts and carousels will still help make the maximum use of space. Electrical component manufacturer and distributor Multi-Contact moved to new premises and by removing part of the ground floor ceiling was able to install a 6.1m high vertical lift using the building’s maximum available headroom. Providing 186 m2 storage on a footprint of just 18.3m2 new system has saved 245 m2 previous racking layout.
of the over the
MULTI-LEVEL PICKING With machines now available up to 14m high clients can not only make maximum use of modern high buildings but specify additional picking levels on an upper floor or mezzanine. This can double the machine’s productivity in picking rates as well as saving time by delivering picked items when needed at an upper level. A recent project for two 12.1m high
Modula lifts includes a second picking station on a mezzanine floor. The client is achieving over 12,500 in/out operations each month and averaging 62 picks per hour, reaching 100 per hour (36 seconds per pick) at peak periods. So while the grass may look greener outside the solution may lie closer to home, starting with a review of your storage and handling systems and technologies.
Couzens Storage Solutions T: 01442 250010
www.verticalcarousel.co.uk Enter 305
/ MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS
of storage with
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56