While expansion of a successful business is cause for celebration, it can also place considerable pressure on your warehouse storage capacity. Rather than going through the expense and hassle of relocating to a larger premises, or making major structural changes to your building, there is an alternative that utilises the space you already have to maximum advantage, and at a much lower cost.
Mezzanine floors are non-permanent structures which when built within an existing building create a new floor level between the existing floor and roof. They are a particularly economical way of creating additional space within an existing building that has available headroom of at least 4.5m. This article examines the benefits of mezzanine floors for accommodating larger warehouse space requirements, from both a pocket-friendly and eco-friendly perspective.
Increased floor space
The addition of a mezzanine floor level provides a simple solution, which can potentially double your usable floor space within your existing premises without expanding its base footprint. Mezzanine floors are also a great way to consolidate a business into smaller and more cost effective premises by making full use of the available space. If you currently operate out of two sites, why not look into the feasibility of bringing the two operations together into one premises with the introduction of a mezzanine floor to give the additional required floor space?
Reduced need for land acquisition
Mezzanine floors contribute to greener business practices, as vertical expansion reduces the need for land acquisition, unlike horizontal, structural expansion. This means that the natural environment will not be compromised should you decide to increase warehouse storage space by building a mezzanine floor level in your existing building.
Saves on energy costs
Unlike structural warehouse expansion, mezzanine flooring construction leaves an extremely low carbon footprint, making it a green alternative. It also uses far less natural resources. Mezzanine floor construction is also much more cost effective, as construction costs are over one hundred times less per square foot than structural warehouse expansion.
Furthermore, horizontal expansion of warehouse space results in more energy usage for heating and cooling, which results in a larger strain on the earth’s natural resources and your pocket. However, the cost of heating or cooling mezzanine floors does not require any additional energy. Thus if you are considering expanding your warehouse space, consider mezzanine flooring as an eco-friendly and cost effective alternative.
Improved warehouse safety
Much of the upper area of a warehouse is quite literally ‘wasted space’, and it is almost impossible to stack pallets from floor to ceiling without considerable risk of collapse. So as well as providing an additional area for warehouse storage, mezzanine floors can also improve the overall health and safety of the working environment too.
Wide ranging applications
Mezzanines can have many applications, such as increased warehouse storage space (raised storage platforms), plant support structures, working areas, manufacturing areas, office areas and retail areas. Installing a mezzanine floor also offers the potential to construct additional space for picking and packing operations within the warehouse, office space for warehouse management and administrative staff and facilities such as canteens and kitchens.
If picking and packing operations and additional staff can be accommodated under the same roof, it may lead to improved logistical efficiency – a key focus within any warehouse environment. Mezzanine floors can be linked to the ground floor by conveyors, stairs and lifts, which means that the overall quality of service, efficiency and speed of operations can improve, and costs can be cut in the long run.
How much will it cost?
Installing a mezzanine floor can be considerably cheaper than moving to new premises, even if the new location is close by. It also enables you to expand in stages rather than in one go, allowing warehouse operations to continue through the development phase – or at least minimising interruption to your business. It also reduces the impact on your bottom line. This means that you will get a better and faster return on your initial investment, saving you not only money, but time as well.
In tough economic times, adding value to your existing warehouse with the addition of a mezzanine floor level is a good way of future-proofing your warehouse operations. If this article has sparked your interest in constructing mezzanine floors in your warehouse, contact Storelab today for a free evaluation of your mezzanine flooring requirements.