Warehouse Construction Contractors Blog

No matter how spacious your warehouse is, ultimately, you end up short of space. Is it your problem, too? Don't worry; we have your back. In this blog, we will focus on how to maximise the space in your warehouse. Read to learn more about strategies to maximise the warehouse space and help scale up your business. Let's begin the discussion by understanding space constraints in your warehouse design.

Understanding Space Constraints in Warehouse Design

The main problem in space management for your warehouse might be poor floor planning. Even if you have a faulty inventory management system, you will never find a sufficient place to store your products. You may order products beyond your housing capacity with a poor inventory management system. The result is the unplanned piling up of products on the floor. Besides, you have to understand that the space on the floor is not the only place where you can store your product. You have to utilise vertical and horizontal space at the same time. If you haven't planned for this before construction, you might be missing a significant opportunity to level up your business. So, how do we overcome these challenges? Let's find out.

Key Strategies to Maximise Space Efficiency

To maximise your warehouse's capacity, you need a smart warehouse layout. Couple this with advanced racking and product tracking technology, and you are all set to take your business to the next level.

a) Smart Warehouse Layout Planning: Let's start from the beginning of the construction process. Before starting the construction of your warehouse, choose the most efficient and effective layout design. For example, a U-shaped or L-shaped warehouse layout design might be the best way to maximise your house's capacity. Ensure you have a smooth and obstacle-free internal pathway to connect one end of the word house to the other. What it will do is improve the movement of products. You can easily access what is required at the moment. Most importantly, know the storage capacity of your address and accept products accordingly.

b) Optimising Vertical Storage Space - Modern warehouses are built to hold products to their maximum capacity. High rise racking system is a part of the process. Most modern warehouses also utilise mezzanine floors to utilise the facility's vertical space and store more products. Mezzanine floors are an intermediate floor between a warehouse's two main flows. Workers can install them where necessary and also remove them to install them in another space. They do not cover the entire floor; instead, they are installed in a specific portion to maximise storage capability. Besides, the automotive storage and retrieval system is working wonders when it comes to space management in warehouses.

c) Efficient Racking and Shelving Solutions - You should choose a suitable storage system depending on the product you handle. For example, selective, drive-in, or cantilever racking systems benefit different types of products. Cantilever racking is suitable for storing pipes, tubes, and products in odd shapes and sizes. Similarly, a drive-in racking system is more suitable for products of similar shapes and sizes. The system is more cost-effective as you can utilise the vertical space to its maximum capacity.

d) Warehouse Automation and Smart Technology - The storage system in your warehouse can become more efficient if you utilise artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies are becoming mainstream in warehouse management. In large warehouses, where storing and retrieving products takes significant time, AI and robotics make the task easier. Retail giants like Amazon and ASDA have embraced the technology and improved their business performance. Technologies such as RFID tags and barcode systems are also helpful in storing and tracking products easily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Always remember the carrying capacity of your racking system. Do not overload the racking system to avoid unnecessary accidents in your warehouse. Loading beyond its capacity will cause the infrastructure to lose its structural integrity. For the drive-in system, ensure enough space for the forklift to move around and easily store products. Besides, keep A designated space as pavement where workers can safely go from a certain point to another. Finally, never ignore the scalability option for your warehouse. It is natural to increase the space of your warehouse while you scale up your business. More space will help house more products.

Conclusion

So, start planning before beginning the construction process. Choosing a smart warehouse floor layout is the first thing to maximise its space capacity. Always try to utilise the vertical space through an advanced racking system. You can also install artificial intelligence and robotics to improve product storage and accessibility.

Recently, Amazon started a fulfilment centre at Gateway 45, Leeds, with state-of-the-art robotics technology to manage products and customer orders. The fulfilment centre is close to another Amazon delivery centre and an Amazon robotics sortation centre. The new facility would improve its product delivery service across Leeds. A warehouse near your customers or product delivery centre would improve your delivery service. But you should not rely only on the location. Now, we have advanced technology to help you sort products in the warehouse and manage orders efficiently. Scroll on to know what other features your warehouse must have in 2025.

Automation in Modern Warehouses

As you know, competition in the market is on the rise for every business. All companies want to improve their performance with the latest technology. Take the example of ASDA, a major British retailer serving approximately 18 million customers weekly. Installing a warehouse automation system, the company has doubled its productivity and achieved 98% picking accuracy. Approximately 164 robots work to pick products from point A and deliver them to point B. Like robotics and automation, warehouse management also demands state-of-the-art software. An enhanced Warehouse Management System will improve the overall management system in warehouses. If you want to modify your house management system like ASDA, use AI and robotics. You should know that the global warehouse robotics market is projected to grow to USD 12.99 billion by 2030. This is the most important feature that your warehouse must have in 2025.

Smart Storage Solutions for Maximum Efficiency

With the Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS), you can now utilise a vertical storage system in your warehouse. As you do not need human labour to climb up to pick products from storage racks, product delivery has become more efficient. It also allows you to store products with high density. With an advanced management system, you can store more products in the same area. With an RFID warehouse management and tracking system, you can scan product catalogues from any location in the warehouse. The system attaches an RFID tag to the product containing all the information, and you can scan the product from any location. This helps improve product tracking and management systems in your warehouse.

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Warehousing

With robotics and modern technology, warehouse operations have become agile. Energy-efficient solutions are also becoming essential to gaining the coolest benefits of modern technology. For example, solar panels and energy efficient LED lights are becoming mainstream for warehouses. These options can help you reduce your total energy consumption without compromising quality. Moreover, it is an opportunity to contribute positively to the environment and society. The less fossil fuel energy you consume the less is your contribution towards carbon footprint. In addition to such intelligent electrical solutions, eco-friendly and sustainable materials should be used in warehouse construction. For example, carbon dioxide produced in cement factories is now captured and infused into liquid concrete. This helps to reduce the total carbon footprint and also increases concrete strength. Besides using search technical heavy practices for your warehouse, you can harvest the rainwater. Whatever industrial work you may do in your warehouse, you will require fresh water. You can use the rainwater after consulting with professionals.

Smart Security & Safety Measures

With artificial intelligence, monitoring the warehouse and accessing remote control of its important features has become easy. Now, you can utilise an AI-powered CCTV camera to monitor your warehouse and detect any possible threat. Installing artificial intelligence helps you gain increased control over the monitoring system. Be sure to follow the UK compliance regarding fire safety and management. Without a proper fire safety management system, all advanced technology and tools will go in vain.

Connectivity & Digital Integration

Modern offices and warehouses are utilising cloud-based operations. To gain the ability to share data in real-time, you must increase the quality of internet connectivity. With enhanced connectivity comes the threat of data leaks. To resolve this issue, you can utilise blockchain technology and improve the security of your warehouse data management system.

Conclusion

With advanced tools and technology, modern warehouses have become more advanced in their operations and facilities. For example, robotics and automation technology helps improve performance and process thousands of customer orders. Considering the expected competition in the business market, robotics and automation technology work as a valuable ally to modern businesses. Future trends in the industry demand that your warehouse be smart and complete with modern technologies. Use robotics and automation technology to your advantage and protect them with AI-powered surveillance and monitoring systems. Besides, blockchain technology can be utilised to safeguard your business's financial and operational data. If you are planning to construct a modern warehouse, get in touch with Warehouse Construction Contractors today.

The demand for warehouses in the UK is skyrocketing. This is mainly due to increased online shopping and the e-commerce boom. The warehouse and storage market in the UK has been growing at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2019 and 2024. If you are planning to construct a warehouse, you must consider proper planning and follow all regulatory compliance in the UK. You must also consider the location, accessibility, the type of product to be stored, transportation, and several other things before constructing a warehouse. Read on to learn more about the key factors to consider before starting the construction process of a warehouse.

Proper Location and Site of Warehouse

When deciding on the perfect location for your warehouse, consider a few points. For example, it must be near a transportation hub between the targeted customers and your suppliers. If there is too much distance between your suppliers and the warehouse, higher transportation costs will reduce profitability. However, the warehouse must be easily accessible through the available transportation system. A location with proper road connectivity and local infrastructure can make your warehouse accessible to all suppliers. While selecting the best spot for your warehouse, you should also consider land costs. If the initial establishment cost is significantly high, it will be challenging for you to complete the project in time. However, the best part of warehouse construction in the UK is that you do not need any planning permission. It is known as permitted development rights.

Developing Warehouse Design and Layout

A proper design and development layout of the warehouse is essential. Professional contractors can help you utilise that entire location and develop the best layout for your house. Selecting a particular space for storage or using it as a loading bay can increase the efficiency of the whole warehouse management system. During the planning and designing, you must decide on the warehouse height, storage system, etc. Depending on the goods you will store in the warehouse, its height and storage system will increase work efficiency. You should also design your warehouse in a way that can be expanded in the future. When your business thrives, you will need more space for storage. Flexibility in design for future expansion will be helpful at that time.

Complying with UK Building Regulations

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 mandate that all building owners provide information on their buildings to the local fire and rescue service so that they can quickly start the rescue operation and minimise life risk in an emergency. On the other hand, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires a proper risk assessment of the warehouse and the necessary measures to be taken. You should also train your employees to protect themselves in the warehouse environment. You should ensure proper ventilation and structural integrity in a large warehouse where hundreds of employees work regularly. So, you must hire a warehouse construction contractor who understands regulations in the UK to construct a warehouse. They can also guide you better while designing for the warehouse construction.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Adopting a sustainable approach has become very important in modern construction. So, when constructing a warehouse, you should use eco-friendly construction materials. When planning the interior lighting, use energy-efficient lights to reduce the cost of energy consumption. For example, you can install solar panels on the warehouse roof to supply the required energy through solar power. You can also harvest rainwater to use in regular cleaning and washing activities. Such approaches will reduce your overall cost of warehouse maintenance and also reduce your impact on the environment. To better ensure the sustainability of your warehouse, you may apply the BREEAM construction method. It is a science-backed and logically structured building assessment framework that ensures net zero carbon production, biodiversity, and protection for health and society. A BREEAM certification also helps increase your property value.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when constructing a warehouse, you should consider adequately planning and designing a layout. It will help you optimise the space properly. Besides, following health and building construction regulations is necessary for UK warehouse construction. Plan and design your sustainable warehouse that does not harm the environment. Contact Warehouse Construction Contractors to streamline the process of your warehouse construction. We have years of expertise in the field and offer advice on complying with UK regulations.