Storage warehouses are essential for an organization’s product storage and distribution. The characteristics of the organization’s product determine what type of storage solution they invest in.
Warehouse storage systems must accommodate inventory’s unique dimensions, rotation requirements, and flow rate. Shelving systems, pallet rack storage, and automated storage systems are three of the most common warehouse storage solutions.
Each system requires workers with specific skill sets to operate and manage inventory efficiently. Learn about warehouse workers qualifications at Jobsfuel.com, a one-stop website for your job search. Using the Find Jobs feature, you can filter your search by job title, keywords, city, or address to locate warehouse vacancies in your area. Once you find a position that interests you and matches your skillset, review the Jobsfuel.com blog posts for helpful tips. You’ll find guidance regarding how to format your resume, cover letter, and interview preparation. JobsFuel is a great job site for finding work opportunities and staying informed on many employment-related topics.
Static Shelving Systems
Warehouses, garages, pharmacies, and food storage companies use shelving systems to optimize storage space. They are ideal for storing small and light products. Mezzanine flooring, in conjunction with shelving, optimizes vertical space in a warehouse.
Many kinds of shelf options range from anti-microbial wire shelving to cantilever racking. Most shelving systems are built with something other than material handling equipment, like a forklift, in mind.
Since the items stored in shelving are often light, employees handle them directly. Workers dealing with shelving storage systems need to learn the warehouse’s organization methods and have excellent attention to detail.
Cantilever racking is an exception because it can be built for either hand laborer access or material handling equipment. Cantilevers specialize in storing long items like lumber and piping. Warehouses that primarily use cantilever racking employ certified forklift operators and hand laborers.
Pallet Rack Storage
Large warehouse storage operations utilize pallet racking systems to store heavy pallet inventory. The style of the pallet rack depends on whether an organization prioritizes density or accessibility. Regardless of the specific needs of the business, warehouses will typically make use of machinery such as a strapping machine in order to secure heavy goods and maximise use of their warehouse space to effectively bring down costs in the long term.
High density
Pushback racking increases density but decreases accessibility because only the front pallet load is retrievable. The pallets are stored in rows with multiple pallet loads per row. Push-back racking is ideal for inventory that is last-in, first-out.
Pallet flow and carton flow racking are made for the opposite rotation method: First-in, first out. This style of racking system is ideal for high-volume flow because the needed pallets are always accessible in one location. Forklift operators efficiently locate the correct inventory, which keeps a warehouse on schedule.
High accessibility
Selective pallet racking, such as drive-in and double-deep racking, prioritizes inventory accessibility. Every pallet load is retrievable at any time. This is not an efficient use of floor space, but it is ideal for distribution centers with different products.
Drive-in and double-deep racking have aisles between racks to allow material handling equipment access to all pallets. Forklift operators locate the correct storage bay for shipping or warehouse use. Pallet forks are indispensable tools for material handling, allowing for efficient lifting, moving, and stacking of palletized goods in warehouses, construction sites, and other industrial settings.
Warehouses that use high-accessibility pallet racks rely on efficient and safe forklift operators to retrieve inventory. Forklift certification is necessary to operate a forklift, and experience in a warehouse is essential to learning organizational systems. Since forklift operators are skilled workers critical to warehouse operations, they earn a higher median wage per hour than warehouse hand laborers.
Automated Storage Systems
Automated storage systems are a growing storage solution in warehouses and distribution centers. They use machines to assist in product storage and retrieval, increasing warehouse efficiency and worker safety.
Mobile shelving
Mobile shelving is a set of shelves placed on a motor-powered track. This increases storage density as aisles for product retrieval are available only when needed.
It also decreases product retrieval time because workers walk less to the correct area. Mobile shelving outfitted with a put-to-light further increases worker efficiency by shining a light on the necessary storage bay.
This storage option is frequently seen in file storage and large pharmaceutical operations. There is no material operating equipment, so the workforce primarily consists of hand laborers.
Vertical lift modules
Vertical lift modules (VLMs) are the most advanced automated storage system. Product trays are stored in a self-contained storage unit with more than 50 feet of vertical space. Hand laborers easily access the whole unit’s inventory because a retrieval machine delivers trays to ergonomically placed access bays. This significantly cuts down retrieval time and minimizes the chance of overexertion injuries.
Visual picking aids further boost worker efficiency by making it easy to locate products. Workers get product retrieval instructions from the VLM console, and lasers indicate the essential outcomes. VLMs also work with forklifts, cranes, and other material-handling equipment if heavy inventory needs to be stored.
Workers in Warehouse Storage Systems
Warehouse storage systems require specialized workers unique to each warehouse’s setup. Entry-level positions like stockers and order fillers are job seekers' most common and attainable roles. They are used most in automated and shelving storage systems because material handling equipment is less standard.
Forklift operators are specialized warehouse employees that often start as hand laborers. Once they learn the warehouse organization and flow, they can become efficient forklift operators. Warehouse managers are the next step in job progression. They handle inventory management and worker relations.
Warehouse workers are in high demand as companies prioritize online sales and need efficient distribution centers. For optimal storage and retrieval operations, warehouses need the correct storage system and the perfect mix of workers.