IS A MEZZANINE THE SOLUTION TO A CRAMPED WAREHOUSE?
December 03, 2021
At first glance – yes.
You could:
- Put a production office up there to clear the decks for some much-needed warehouse racking.
- Or how about a lofty conference room area with a bird’s eye view of the shop floor?
- Increase picking capacity for small parts and e-commerce.
- Set up your lunch room on a mezzanine so that you can add pallet racking on the main floor.
- Use it to increase your storage capacity of goods by storing stock up there.
Four of the above options would free up valuable warehouse real estate.
But one doesn’t cut it. Guess which one it is.
If you chose number 5, you’re right on. The not-very-helpful option is…
INCREASING STORAGE CAPACITY
Here’s why a mezzanine isn’t always the best place for storage:
- INACCESSIBLE STORAGE
Stock parked high on a mezzanine is difficult to access.
Loading and unloading a mezzanine through a pallet gate can be a two man job, with a forklift operator below and a worker on the mezzanine.
Costly equipment like vertical conveyors can help, but either way your running costs go up.
So not the best option for high volume products with a quick stock rotation.
Is a mezzanine the best solution for your needs? It could be.
A free evaluation by one of our technicians will help you decide.
You might discover that one of the many types of racking systems on the market today meets your requirements exactly.
- CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (CapEx)
Mezzanines are often seen as a good place to store slow moving or dead stock.
Does this make financial sense? Cap Ex spend on new storage for old stock that may or may not sell in the near future?
It’s time to have a serious conversation between Operations and Finance.
Ask your accountant whether you’d be best just scrapping dead inventory and clearing it off your books – and out of your valuable warehouse space.
- INEFFICIENT USE OF SPACE
Most mezzanines are a single storey. They offer a lower storage density than many racking systems.
PALLET RACKING OPTIONS THAT FULLY MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE:
- Push-Back racking
- Double-deep racking
- VNA (very narrow aisle) racking
Read our blog, SHORTAGE OF WAREHOUSE SPACE? DEAL WITH IT LIKE THIS! for ideas on how to make the best use of the space that you have.
- WATCH OUT FOR ADDING A PERMANENT INSTALLATION
Once a mezzanine is installed, it’s usually a permanent installation – seldom transferable to another location. Why? Because they have to be customized to fit into the available space.
They’re also very labour-intensive to install which adds to the price.
If you only have a few years left on your lease, budget in the building and installation costs versus the projected time you expect to be in the same location.
A mezzanine is typically worth nothing when you leave, and could even end up as a liability if the building owner requires it to be removed.
SO, NEW MEZZANINE OR MORE AND BETTER RACKING?
In some cases it just isn’t an option to add racking. You’ve already made use of all available floor space in your warehouse.
If that’s your position, consider transferring offices, lunch rooms or meeting rooms to a mezzanine to make space for industrial racking.
One of our consultants will be glad to discuss what the best alternative is for you.
Call us: 1-800-465-3695 or 514-457-5358
Still need that mezzanine to increase your storage space?
There are experienced companies in Montreal that build mezzanines.
Try Pedlex, Federal Steel, Mecanorack, Etalex or Camrack.
One of them will be able to help you build a mezzanine.
Maximising your pallet racking sounds like the better option?
We will help you with this.
Call 1-800-465-3695.
Or email Lorne directly: lorne.anderson@meritonindustries.com