Strategies to Increase Warehouse Capacity

Many warehouses face capacity challenges as their business grows and requires more inventory. Instead of moving to a brand-new space, consider maximizing what you have.

Learn how to increase warehouse capacity and make the most of your space from the Barclay experts.

Practical Ways to Increase Warehouse Capacity

While there are various reasons for running out of space, the result is the same — you need more room. When brainstorming solutions, warehouse managers should consider their forklift equipment, vertical storage racking and warehouse layout. Here are a few quick fixes to maximize your space:

• Utilize your vertical space: If your floor space is limited, work with what vertical space you have. You can extend your pallet racks or install a mezzanine floor for extra inventory storage.
• Reduce aisle width: When reducing your storage aisles to 5 to 8 feet wide, you can save more floor space. Just make sure your employees and forklift equipment can safely and efficiently fit through the aisles.
• Evaluate inventory management: Classify what items are the highest priority versus those that aren’t as popular. Then, rearrange your warehouse layout in order of demand, leaving more space for your highest-selling stock.
• Regularly review and reassess: Regularly review your inventory and make adjustments based on changing demands and feedback. This flexibility may include ordering more inventory of one item while completely cutting another.

Maximize Space and Improve Warehouse Efficiency

At Barclay, we create solutions to maximize warehouse space and improve efficiency. Of all the strategies on the market, we recommend exploring slotting strategies and forklift capabilities to reduce pick time, rack requirements and overall costs.

Slotting Strategies

Depending on your products’ size and pallets, look for areas around your warehouse that you can cut in half. Create a slotting system that works best for your warehouse to maximize your order-picking efficiency. Keep these considerations in mind when creating your warehouse slotting strategies:

• Sales volume: Prioritize your fast-selling items and place them the closest to the packing station for convenience.
• Item quantities: Store items that sell individually separate from full pallet quantities to maximize shelf space.
• Weight and type: Heavier items should take the slots lower to the ground, and fragile items should be at eye level for easy access and safer restocking.
• Seasonal changes: If your company sells a significant volume of seasonal items, set aside designated seasonal slots to rotate as necessary.

Forklift Capabilities

While planning an efficient warehouse layout and utilizing racking systems, make sure you have the right equipment to accommodate these changes. Barclay offers a wide range of narrow aisle and various forklifts in new, used or rental models that can maneuver tight spaces and take advantage of your vertical storage.

Trust Barclay for All Your Warehouse Needs

At Barclay, we offer a wide range of warehouse solutions, from pallet racking and mezzanines to very narrow forklifts. Whatever you need to increase storage capacity in your warehouse, we are here to help you find it. Contact us to connect with an expert today.