Construction
The storage of large or heavy products such as construction materials requires industrial racking with special characteristics. Large and excessively large products take up a lot of space inside warehouses, so they tend to be stored at high levels to optimise the available space and leave the floor of the warehouse free for improved material and operator safety.
At AR Racking we are specialists in the storage of large products, those of the construction industry in a limited space, providing the combination of strong racking and engineering to support the very highest load capacities while optimising density.
Storage systems for the construction industry
Heavy and homogeneous goods
The storage and industrial racking systems to be installed in construction sector warehouses must be designed to support heavy and bulky loads, which would be their main characteristic. These systems usually work with relatively homogeneous goods and with regular and unseasonal demand.
Reduced number of references
The number of references (SKU) to store is not in general very high in the construction sector. And although some of the products do have an expiry or recommended use-by date, generally they are goods that can be stored for long periods of time and are more slow-moving in the warehouse.
Direct access: non-priority
For this reason, in storage systems for the construction sector, load capacity, simple goods handling and space optimisation is normally prioritised over selectivity or direct access to all unit loads.
System for large loads: Cantilever
If the goods are very bulky or elongated, cantilever racking will be used, especially designed for long and heavy loads, and therefore very common in the construction sector. Moreover, with this type of unit loads, it is essential to ensure adequate protection of the parts and racking, and to keep the warehouse correctly marked with signs and organised.
Characteristics of the construction industry
Construction is one of the sectors related to many productive areas, since it can be closely linked to a large number of related activities and sectors.
Larger
It is one of the largest sectors in the world, representing more than 10% of global GDP and 7% of the total global workforce, with countries such as China and the United States leading the way.
The construction sector can be separated into building construction, infrastructure and industrial construction subsectors. However, in terms of logistics and storage, they all have common characteristics.
Good handling
Logistics in construction is the set of activities focused on supplying, in the best possible conditions, the resources necessary to carry out a project, with these conditions referring to good handling, storage and distribution of the materials to perform these activities.
Recommended Industrial Racking:
Some common storage systems for the construction industry are:
Cantilever Racking
This is the most widely used system for the storage of long and especially voluminous loads, such as those in the construction sector. It is a robust system in which materials are stored on very strong and adaptable cantilever arms. Ideal for storing beams, pipes, wood, bars, etc.
Drive in Racking (AR Drive In)
It is a compact system that allows the storage of homogeneous products (like those generally from the construction sector) with excellent exploitation of the available space. It can be designed for FIFO or LIFO stock management, depending on the needs.
Adjustable Pallet Racking
AR Racking’s most common and versatile storage system. For its versatility and adaptability to unit loads of different weights and volumes, it is an option used in some construction sector warehouses.
Double Deep Pallet Racking
This adaptation of the adjustable pallet racking system is a good option for construction sector warehouses because it retains the great versatility of the standard model, but with greater optimisation of the available space. The pallets are stored at 2 depths to store goods with the same product reference.
