5 Reasons to Convert Shelves to Modular Storage Cabinets

Industrial Modular Storage Cabinets Offer Space Savings & Efficiency

Shelves are shelves, right…not exactly. You have options when equipping your facility; the trick is choosing the best solution or combination of storage options to fit your needs. Two cost-effective choices are industrial shelving and modular storage cabinets, but how do you choose? The answer lies in: what items you’re storing, available space, and item security. 

Standard shelving is best suited for slow-moving SKUs, assembly of small parts, and hand-picked orders. It’s durable, easy to assemble, and serves the basic purpose of holding items on a shelf. You can add backing and sides to prevent stock from falling and dividers to create segmented storage. Individual units are customizable to create varied shelving configurations in your storage area.

Industrial modular storage cabinets are the next step in the evolution of shelving. They are also durable and very adaptable but best suited for high-density storage. Modular storage cabinets can be equipped with drawers that can be divided into sections, further segmenting items. On average, modular drawer-style shelving can replace traditional shelving for parts storage applications.

If you already have shelving but are looking for something more efficient and secure, take a closer look at the benefits of graduating to modular storage.

Here are 5 good reasons to convert to modular storage:

1. Space savings – Floor space is a hot commodity in a warehouse, and modular cabinets reduce a storage footprint by up to 50%.  Modular cabinets can combine shelving and drawers or simply use only drawers or shelves. This customization allows you to group similar-sized items, i.e., large with large and small with small, on shelves to reduce wasted vertical space and gather additional items in partitioned drawers. The drawers allow full accessibility to the back corners, while shelving often goes unused when too high or hard to reach. 

2. Increased speed and accuracy in order picking – The better organized your inventory is, the faster and more accurately it can be put away and picked. Hand-picking is one of the most labor-intensive activities in your facility. Optimizing this activity pays you back for the modular shelving investment. Additionally, inaccurate picks are also very costly –both in terms of customer satisfaction and time, segmenting SKUs is the best way to prevent costly errors.

3. Security – High-value or dangerous products that must be stocked separately or require controlled access can be locked in a modular storage cabinet. They are ideal, compact, centralized storage for items that must be secured to comply with security protocols.

There are a few different security options:

• Drawer cabinets – 1 key locks all drawers at once.
• Master keyed system –  a vertical security bar locks each bank of drawers. 
• Single drawers – can be locked individually; all drawers in a group can be accessed when unlocked, except specific drawers that need another key.

4. FIFO inventory rotation – Date-sensitive products have a limited shelf life and must be rotated first-in/first-out (FIFO) basis. With standard shelving, it’s hard to keep inventory orderly enough to prevent items from being pushed to the back of the shelf. This creates waste and unnecessary expenses. Modular storage allows you to assign items by lane and by drawer. Individual lanes can be further divided to batch –new behind the divider to be cycled forward as older product is distributed.

5. Flexibility for growth/expansion – Modular storage provides greater overall storage capacity and enables the ability to plan for expansion/growth. Banks of drawers can be added in groups from 18” to 48” high. You can start with a bank of six 24” drawers and increase capacity with additional drawers as needed. Empty shelves left after the conversion process can be utilized for overstock and bulk storage and changed to drawers. 

Let WOI Help Configure Your Modular Storage

As you can see, shelving isn’t just shelving. WOI can assess your needs and help you make the best choice. Our full-service approach ensures innovative design and expert installation. We supply top-quality shelving, modular cabinets, and custom pallet racking. 

The WOI team offers over 180 years of combined material handling experience to make your space work for you to solve your warehousing challenges. Moreover, we are determined to deliver 100% Customer Satisfaction on each project through our Total Satisfaction Experience™ (TSE). 

 The Total Satisfaction Experience focuses on five essential customer experiences:

1.     We will listen to your needs
2.     Execute your project with particular attention to your unique application
3.     Stick to project timelines
4.     Ensure a safe environment
5.     Pay close attention to the detail of the finished product

Our professional installation team ensures that the finished product meets your expectations, and while we are on the job, you can be sure that we follow strict safety protocols.

 Industry Experienced Installation Team

•  OSHA Trained & Certified
•  Certified Drug-Free Workplace
• Licensed General Contractor
• Job Safety Analysis
• Forklift, Scissor Lift, and Aerial Lift Operator Trained

Call WOI today for a free consultation and schedule a site inspection — dial (833) 336-7005 or email info@warehouseoptimizers.com. 

WOI proudly serves customers throughout the Southeast, including KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, NORTH CAROLINA, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA.