As the old saying goes: Nothing ever stays the same. In the material handling industry, implementing new technology and ideas is critical for companies that want to stay competitive. In warehousing, that's especially true as the material handling industry has seen massive overhauls to old ways of doing things in favor of new ideas that promote efficiency and productivity by integrating systems into a well-oiled, smooth-running operation.

Because new ideas and systems seem to be happening exponentially fast in today's technological world, it can be hard to keep up with all the newest and latest in material handling, retail and distribution center warehouse innovation. At Southwest Materials Handling Company, we have skilled professionals who can help design your warehouse in a way that maximizes operations, as well as keeping safety foremost in mind while utilizing your existing space. Let us help you solve your pain points without causing you any pain with a free site survey. 

Cube Utilization and Why It's Important 

Are you familiar with the term cube utilization? Do you know how cube utilization impacts your bottom line? Were you are aware that cube utilization is measurable? At Southwest Materials Handling Company, our professionally trained teams know the answers to these questions and exactly how to apply this knowledge to pump up your warehouse space to its highest level. By utilizing available material handling warehouse systems that include racking, shelving, modular, mezzanines, conveyors and automation, you can achieve ultimate productivity - giving you a leg up on your competition.

By using the available amount of storage space in your warehouse to its highest and best potential, you will increase functionality with efficient rack and shelving placement, while leaving the right amount of space for picking and restocking. When you add these items up, you end up with a total that spells maximum benefit to your bottom line.

Cube utilization is just that. Using the total available amount of space in your warehouse to store product while leaving enough open room for efficient picking and stocking. At Southwest Materials Handling, we can give you the key to achieving this in your material handling warehouse space.

Tools of the Trade 

Learning how to put together all the parts of today's innovative warehouse systems in a way that makes sense and gives maximum benefit while not breaking the bank can be challenging. We can help you with expert system design utilizing our warehouse products, including:

• Racking & Shelving: There's a cornucopia of racking and shelving options for today's material handling, retail and distribution center warehouses. If your existing racking and shelving areas look like a cornucopia, however, you will benefit from some order, rhyme and reasons to picking and stocking. With all the choices out there, it can be confusing to decide what will work best for you and your operating plan. At Southwest Material Handling, we offer a free site survey that can give you the answers you need to improve productivity while maximizing efficiency. Your racking and shelving systems should work together seamlessly to provide easy access to all pallets, take the pain out of inventory, ensure product is moving in a timely manner and be easy to change up when necessary.
• Conveyors: At Southwest Materials Handling Company, we have a variety of conveyor solutions available, including custom-designed conveyors. Conveyors have plenty of benefits to today's warehouse operations, including saving time, answering a need by automating tasks and operating continuously for as long as needed. Conveyor systems come in many sizes and shapes and utilize many different operating arrangements, including chain and steel belt, slider beds and custom-designed conveyors that incorporate a combination.
• Dock Equipment: At times, your docks may resemble controlled chaos with trucks loading and unloading, multiple people working in the area and products moving in and out. Making sense of all of this not only helps promote the safety of everyone involved, it establishes a system that boosts productivity by improving efficiency. Finding ways to pinpoint exactly what's coming in and going out, while using the appropriate amount of warehouse space, benefits your bottom line. At Southwest Material Handling, we have all the dock equipment you need to increase profits while improving safety.
• Lifting: A good-sized part of today's technological warehouse and material handling trends involves solutions that promote safety. Under that umbrella is using advanced ergonomics to reduce injuries caused by repetitive tasks and lifting and transporting heavy and bulky loads. Southwest Materials Handling Company is partners with Southworth Products, a leader in manufacturing ergonomic solutions for the material handling industry. With a variety of lift options such as tables, docks, vertical and more, we can help you - and your employees - move into a safer, more efficient place.
• HVLS Fans: We've been focusing on designing your warehouse space for optimum use. Part of that includes utilizing technology that may be less obvious, but is just as important to the bottom line: controlling heating and cooling costs. You can save a sizable amount on your heating and cooling bill by installing industrial HVLS (high volume, low speed) fans in your warehouse. Designed to work with your existing HVAC system, HVLS fans move large amounts of air. In addition to benefitting your bottom line, HVLS fans improve the atmosphere in your warehouse, making it easier on employees and others.
• Mezzanines: In today's material handling, retail and distribution center world, space has become the new equalizer. It's not as easy - or cheap - as it once was to purchase more space in the form of land or buildings. For many, that means taking full advantage of existing space by going up. Vertical storage can be the answer to finding new space without leaving your existing facility. Mezzanines are incredibly flexible - they can easily be reconfigured, changed and used for a variety of purposes - and can be used above and around other structures. At Southwest Material Handling, we offer a large variety of mezzanine options, including custom ideas to fit your situation.
• Modular Buildings: Your warehouse space needs may have undergone some changes over time and you may find yourself facing space demands that didn't exist when you started. For example, with today's technology in force, there might be a need for a clean room - or at least a room where sensitive equipment can live. Perhaps you are working with more expensive product that needs to be under lock and key. Has your business expanded to the point where you need more office or conference room space? Modular buildings provide a quick and easy solution to these special warehouse space demands. Since they are easy to assemble and disassemble, they can be changed and moved according to your needs - and modular buildings are less expensive, but use the same quality of materials, as conventional construction.

At Southwest Materials Handling Company, we are all about finding you the absolute best solution for your specific warehouse needs without breaking the bank. That's why we offer a free site survey to help get you started on warehouse design with your existing or new retail, material handling or distribution center space. Our professionals have years of experience in warehouse storage solutions. Contact us today to find out how we can help your bottom line with maximized productivity and efficiency in your warehouse space.