Warehouse storage plays a critical role in enabling business growth. Moving to warehouse storage from self-storage is usually a watershed moment for any business – one that isn’t without its risks and uncertainties.
So, how do you pick a storage facility that meets your business needs? What warehousing features should you look out for?
In this guide, we help you and your business understand the key elements of commercial warehouse storage and their benefits and the role of warehouse storage in Kenya in reducing overheads.
What is Warehouse Storage?
When you need space beyond what managed storage or self-storage can offer, warehouse storage is what you turn to. Commercial warehouse storage is designed for businesses to hold bulk stock, heavy equipment, and tools.
With warehouse storage, large businesses can conveniently store, retrieve, and supply stock. They can also scale or expand their operations to meet growing demands in a timely and sufficient manner.
The key components of warehouse storage include:
1. Storage Units
While not all warehouses in Kenya provide storage units, they’re usually a welcome feature when present. They are more convenient for storing items such as archived documents that require quick retrieval. Storage units like the ones available at Nellions are ideal for business and office storage.
2. Racking Systems
Racking systems form the foundational structure of a warehouse store. They’re designed to save space by storing items vertically. They are most commonly made of steel or hardened plastics to hold the weight of stored items.
3. Handling Equipment
Material handling equipment refers to any machinery or tools used to transport or store goods. These include pallet trucks, trolleys, and forklifts.
How Warehouse Storage Enhances Business Operations
1. Better Inventory Management
With warehouse storage, you can ship and deliver stock to stakeholders much faster and make accounting more accurate. This will enable you to better serve your clients.
2. Scalability for Business
As your business expands and you need more space, you need warehouse storage to deliver to your customers at a much larger scale. At Nellions, we offer storage facilities that give you much more flexibility when you want to upgrade from business storage or increase your storage options, making us an excellent partner for your business scaling needs.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
Storage warehouses are usually located conveniently within industrial zones, helping to bring down transport and logistics costs. The cost per square foot of warehouse space is also significantly lower, since you’re dealing with larger floor spaces compared to commercial storage.
In a nutshell, professional warehouse storage means:
- Streamlined logistics as you can track and deliver goods more efficiently.
- Increased productivity as your business is able to deliver its functions and serve your client base better.
- Better organization as you can plan business processes better with stable and reliable storage.
- Security for your goods with access control and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.
- Accessibility as staff can find and deliver stock in a timely fashion.
Choosing the Right Warehouse Storage Solution
Warehouse storage solutions can be categorized into distinct categories: metal racking systems, heavy-duty shelf storage, and pallet storage systems.
Metal racking systems include the support shelves and other storage features in a warehouse. They are a flexible way for the facility to meet the needs of a varied customer base as you can rack different shelf sizes and types, build mezzanine flooring etc.
Heavy-duty shelf storage is well-suited for medium to heavy-load items, especially for tool and material storage or pallets of goods. This industrial shelving is essential for inventory of over 250 KG and over.
Pallet storage systems are a common feature of bulk storage warehousing. Palletising stock means putting it in easily managed, pre-portioned units that make logistics simpler. Wrapping the pallets helps keep the items safe while in the warehouse and during transport.
Nellions Moving and Relocations Company features a packing supplies shop – Nellions Shop – should you require any additional packaging materials.
Here are 5 things to consider when choosing the right warehouse storage solution for your goods.
1. What Goods or Products Do You Intend to Store?
Does your product have special storage requirements? For example, do you need climate-controlled facilities? Are your items oddly shaped and need more space overall? Are your products fragile and need special handling instructions?
2. How Secure is the Facility?
Whether you’re in manufacturing, shipping and transportation, or packaging, security for your goods in warehouse storage should be a top priority. This prevents pilferage that leads to loss of goods and money.
At Nellions, we not only ensure the safety of your goods but also staff safety and additional security measures. We implement strict access controls with 24-hour CCTV monitoring – anyone coming into our facilities is strictly searched and confirms the unit they’re going to.
3. How Much Space Do You Need?
You should consider your future storage needs. Are you entering the peak or low season of business? Is your business growing exponentially?
Choose a warehouse storage facility that is flexible regarding whether you want to upgrade or downsize your storage solutions whenever it’s needed.
4. What are Your Accessibility Requirements?
How often would you need to access your goods in storage and what special equipment (if any) is required for access?
5. Consult with Storage Professionals
You can find more efficient storage solutions by speaking to storage experts like the staff at Nellions Moving and Relocations – our integrated moving and storage company.
Finding the right warehouse storage solution doesn’t have to be complicated. Secure, convenient, and flexible storage is available for everyone from manufacturers and homeowners downsizing to businesses needing extra storage for stock and more efficient inventory management.
Nellions Storage provides flexible contracts, insurance options, and professional wrapping and packing services in Nairobi. We also give tours of the storage facilities, which span 14000 square feet, so that you can be confident your property will be well preserved. You can access our facilities conveniently from across the city, including:
- Westlands, Upperhill, and Parklands – Quick access for CBD and Westlands residents
- Karen, Kileleshwa, and Lavington – Ideal for households storing furniture during renovation
- Kilimani and Kileleshwa – Central Nairobi’s go-to storage solution
- Gigiri, Kitisuru, Runda, and Muthaiga – Trusted by expats and diplomatic households
- Lang’ata, Syokimau, Ruiru, and South C/B – Affordable storage for southern Nairobi estates
Warehouse Storage Solutions at Nellions
Warehouse storage is essential for a healthy functioning business. Not only does it streamline your business functions, making them much more efficient, it also means more effective services for your clients.
Our storage solutions are the simple answer for many businesses. We have facilities throughout Nairobi, conveniently located for maximum logistical efficacy.
Ready to secure the top-ranked warehouse storage solutions for your business?
Request a quote today.
Call us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to speak to our storage consultants.
