10 Essential Features to Consider in a Warehouse Fit Out

The Lean and visual management specialists here at Clarity can help you to fit out a new or existing warehouse to the highest standards. There are many considerations during the planning stage of a factory fit out, which we’ve listed below to help you begin your Lean journey.

What is a warehouse fit out?

A warehouse fit out is the process of designing, organising and equipping the internal and external spaces of a warehouse to make it suitable for specific operational needs. Creating a Lean and visual factory involves optimising the use of space, improving efficiency, supporting employee safety, streamlining communication, and enhancing functionality for processes, storage, logistics and distribution. This can include various design and construction tasks, which we’ve listed below.

What are the main things to consider?

When planning a warehouse fit out, our team uses the 3D approach: Decide, Design, and Delivery. This facilitates a comprehensive, efficient and fully tailored process that results in a warehouse which meets the needs of your business and its people. During the Decide phase, we’ll cover multiple factors and help you to make informed decisions:

Layout and flow: Design the layout to optimise space utilisation and allow a logical flow of goods and personnel. Consider factors like the placement of materials, custom workbenches and shipping/receiving areas.
Racking and shelving: Select appropriate racking and shelving systems to maximise storage capacity and accessibility. Consider factors such as height, load capacity and adjustability.
Lighting: Adequate lighting is essential for safety and productivity. Install energy-efficient LED lighting that provides even illumination throughout the warehouse.
Flooring: Choose durable and easy-to-clean flooring materials that can withstand heavy traffic, forklifts and potential spills. Anti-fatigue floor matting can also be installed in key areas.
Visual communication: We have a wide range of visual management products that simplify communication and remove the risk of errors, inconsistencies, delays and waste. From tool shadow boards and cleaning stations to visual management boards and 5S cuboids, we suggest you take a look at our products to get a feel for what we can provide.
Climate control: Depending on your inventory, consider HVAC systems to regulate temperature and humidity, especially for sensitive or perishable goods.
Security: Implement security measures such as access control, surveillance cameras and alarm systems to protect the warehouse and its contents.
Loading docks: The number and design of loading docks must be suitable for the volume and type of inbound and outbound shipments. This will prevent bottlenecks and trade yard congestion.
Safety: Compliance with fire regulations is essential, so you need to install adequate fire suppression systems, emergency exits and safety equipment. Everyday movement also plays a major role in how safe a warehouse is for employees, which is where our visual safety barriers come in (read on for more details).
Technology and automation: Last but certainly not least, the tech that keeps your processes flowing should be given extreme attention to detail. This can include warehouse management systems and automation technologies like conveyor systems, barcode scanners and RFID for efficient inventory management and order processing. Projected floor markings will also ensure that flow, safety and visual communication are optimised (more info below).

Why are these so important for an industrial fit out?

If even just one of the above considerations is overlooked, the productivity and safety of your warehouse will be compromised. By planning all of the details surrounding production, movement, communication and safety, your warehouse will have everything it needs to adhere to the principles of 5S: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain. In order to ensure the Sustain element, we can deliver 5S Workplace Organisation workshops to your teams. These insightful sessions will equip your employees with the knowledge required to apply continuous improvement and create a world-class manufacturing facility.

How do LED floor markings work?

You may be curious about the projected floor markings we mentioned earlier, as the system is a relatively new innovation. Since early 2023, Clarity has been equipping factories and warehouses with this pioneering technology, which uses integrated sensors to project visual information directly onto the ground. This makes safety messages and traffic control signage impossible to miss thanks to clear, crisp, high-contrast projections. As well as catching the eye and offering instant visual communication, this system can also be updated, paused, changed and moved as often as required without any of the upkeep associated with floor markings made with paint or tape.

Common examples of our LED floor markings in operation include a projected zebra crossing for foot traffic that’s automatically replaced by a STOP sign when a forklift approaches. Thanks to the technology being completely customisable, the system can project any warnings, icons and colour-coded messages required anywhere within your warehouse or factory. This is a transformative visual management system that is enabling manufacturing and logistics businesses to achieve peak efficiency and optimal safety.

Don’t forget the safety barriers

When designing a warehouse fit out, safety barriers are a must-have fixture that will protect your employees and ensure your premises are compliant with safety codes. However, safety barriers are traditionally made from metal, which is easily damaged and can also cause injury to a forklift driver if a collision were to occur. That’s why we offer a far superior alternative in the form of polymer safety barriers that flex upon collision.

If a vehicle bumps into one of our safety barriers, the kinetic energy is absorbed by the structure rather than being transferred to the vehicle operator. The safety barrier then quickly returns to its original shape, which means that the costs of maintenance and replacement are significantly reduced throughout your warehouse.

Plan your warehouse fit out with Clarity

If you’re ready to create a truly Lean and visual warehouse or factory that has efficiency, safety and innovation at its very core, contact our team on +44 (0)1482 296451 or fill in our contact form to book your free consultation.

10 Essential Features to Consider in a Warehouse Fit Out