1. Who to source from?
When it comes to purchasing storage systems for a warehouse, it's important as a buyer to understand where the equipment is produced. Researching companies is key during the early stages of the process.
This is the best time to find out where companies are based in relation to your business, how reputable and well-established they are through reviews, testimonies and case studies.
By opting for a local supplier there are certain advantages such as less transport used, reduced transportation costs and more local support from the provider. It's also a great way for local businesses and manufacturers to support each other.
Remember local might not be the most ideal option for you. It depends on whether the company can accommodate to the size of your project, if stock is not available it may be that the materials will need to be imported. Each of these factors will offer an insight into how long the process is likely to take from concept to completion.
2. Quotes and pricing
It's advisable to get quotes from multiple providers, comparing prices allows you to get an overview of what each company is offering and find out the differences between them. You may incur additional costs, so check what is covered in the quote such as labour, materials and transport to ensure you're getting the best offer.
Further points to consider is whether the price is fixed or subject to market fluctuations, companies may be more lenient in amending quote processes due to global issues affecting the industry such as increasing steel prices or rising global currency rates. When retrieving quotes, ask the supplier how long the quote is valid for. This determines the length of time you have to consider the proposed job specification and pricing.
3. Knowing your quantities
By calculating the storage capacity required for your warehouse such as how much weight it can hold, the size of the products and knowing how much requires storing offers the supplier the chance to understand how your business works and what you need to succeed in improving your efficiency.
This also provides the opportunity to future-proof your business, which allows you to plan for the next 3-5 years and offers flexibility if you wish to expand further down the line.
4. Project timings
When approaching a supplier, go prepared with a plan of all the stages required for your project, from the initial set up to the final launch. This gives them not only a starting point but allows them to set a realistic time frame once the order is placed.
Manufacturing enterprises have their own production schedules, so you will find some companies have quicker manufacturing times than others due to more stock availability.
Ideally, all projects should go according to schedule. Unfortunately, in the real world the project may hit a bump in the road for a number of reasons like transport delays or limited stock numbers. So, it's important to choose a provider who is renowned for excellent communication to ensure you're kept updated with the project's progress.
5. Quality Check
While everyone's needs are different, the universal requirement is quality. It's important to find a company that is either defined by the International Organisation of Standardisation, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from 156 countries.
Or meets local legislations laws regarding safety and stability, for instance European standards are recognised by the EN number.
Choosing a warehouse solution provider with recognisable standards will not only provide you with high quality products but will also be a well-established name in the industry with years of expertise to guide you on your project.
It may take time to research the ideal warehouse solution provider for you and your business needs, but the overall result will be worth waiting for. We hope this has given you some guidance on choosing the right one. If you have any questions, please get in touch.