Downtime is right time for updating your warehouse

"Conrpanies are using downtimc to slinr dou'n and become more efficient." saicl Rick Hogue. Krautel Solutions. Inclianapolis. In. "A well-desi-gncd warchousc allows more work to bc con'rplctccl with l'cwcr ernployees."

A ncw crnphasis on rcmodcling contractol's ancl cl-i-ycls is also cncouragins dcalcr-s to orsanizc thcir yarcls ancl invcst in ncw rack systcrrrs.

"Thc trcncl is to bcttcr scrvc thcsc tvpcs o1' cuslollcrs, cspccially sincc nra.jor honrcbLrilcling is rlown." sairl N4ark Ritz. prcsiclcnt ol' Auto-Stak. Wcstu,oocl N..l . "Thcsc two groups \\'ont t() scc ancl touch proclucts bcfirlc bui'ing. Thcy also buy in srnallcl lots than bi-g honrcbuildcrs. so proper storagc is vcry inrportant."

OI'terr. the l'ilrt tlccision i: to choose the right kind of riicking lbr organizing and storing heavy ancl bulky' items. "Depending on what vou're storing in your warehousc, 1"ou mav \L'ant to choose pallet racks over cantilevcr racks. or vice versa." said Ed Stairrnan. A Plus Warehouse. L1 nn. Ma. "Pallct racks off'cr selectivc pallet lackinc. which is the best solutiort lirr u lrrchousc: whele il is ncec'sarv to kccp a wiclc variety of articlcs in pallcts: cantilcvcl racks arc nrore suitublc lirr storin!. long loacls."

Pallct rlrck shclvirrg of'f'crs caplcitics o1' Lrp to 2,1.0(X) lbs. pcr uplight rnd 6.000 lbs. pcr pail ol'bcarns. Stt'r-rclural pallcl racks havc uplight cupacity to:15.000 lbs. ancl bcant capacity to l-5.(XX) lbs. Both kincls ol'lcr': direct access to all storccl pallcts irnd casy stock control . thc ability to handle one pallct r" ithoul movin-9 others . absolute load storage flexibility.

Both In Terms Of Weight And Volume

In comparison, cantilever racks are ideal for tir4bers, beams, profiles and pipes. This tlpe ofrack offers the ability to segregate each type of product by commodity and size, and problemfree, height-adjustment storage that keeps product off the ground.

For vertical display and storage of items up to 16 ft. long, A-frames are the right choice. They are a heavyduty, versatile layback system for vertical display and storage of items such as trim moulding, gutters, piping, etc. Adjustable arms form a divider system that can be manipulated for a variety of compartment sizes.

When it comes to financing warehouse improvements, depreciation deductions in the 2009 economic stimulus program can help. The program extends the $250000 depreciation for companies spending under $800,000. The 5OVo depreciation deduction for new equipment, the so-called "bonus" depreciation, was also extended.

"This has been one of the biggest items I have seen with my clients," said CPA Howard Dorman. He said at least a dozen have used the depreciation write-offs for warehouse equipment, forklifts, trucks and new computers. Although the improvements were needed, he said, the depreciation rules were a major motivator.

"This really is an economic stimulus," Dorman. "The money can be used to defray the cost of the equipment, or help the company keep one or two people employed while they increase their production capacity."