Anyone who’s ever worked in a manufacturing plant, warehouse, or distribution centre knows that safe, efficient material storage is challenging. Maximum accountability of bulk and bin-sized commodities is absolutely vital for keeping orders fulfilled, and kitting rooms and production lines supplied; and when storage-level accountability is lost, costly line stoppages and even dangerous material oversights can occur.
For plant and logistics managers, the emphasis on inventory control is the most defining element in successfully implementing lean operating procedures, and it begins with palletized storage. From the moment a commodity enters a facility and is issued out, to the time it’s re-inventoried as a finished good or shipped out to its final destination, optimized pallet configurations are essential for maintaining accountability. That’s why it’s no surprise that organizations and cost centres that are committed to accountability, also place storage resources at the top of their material management list.
Dynamic Pallet Storage Solutions that Offer Flexible Accountability
Make no mistake: regardless of the types of commodities or substances your facility needs to store and inventory, the use of Australian Standard (AS) compliant pallet cages and storage solutions is the key to staying organized, efficient, and safe. With the proper selection of cages and warehousing containers, businesses have the ability to quickly respond to changes in production demands and capacities without sacrificing their all-important accountability. As standardization is one of the most crucial aspects of efficiency, these solutions are capable of generating the perfect balance of efficiency for businesses, as well as their vendors, partners, and transporters.
AS:4084-2012 prescribes the minimum standards for racking systems used throughout the country, and standard-sized storage cases and pallet systems make it possible for businesses to ensure that they have adequate rack quantities of material on hand at all times. These storage solutions are built for dynamic production and logistical environments, which makes them ideal for a wide range of inventory, including:
- Bench stock, and work-in-progress (WIP) items;
- Heavy components and spare parts;
- Pipes, glass, and other over-sized items;
- Consumables and retail items; and,
- Drums, or other bulk liquid containers.
Today’s businesses have to be more flexible than ever when it comes to inventory management, and that means their warehousing and storage systems also have to provide more value-added advantages than ever. It’s a process that begins with a business’s pallet and cage storage units though, and high-quality pallet and stillage solutions are what’s needed to maintain that flexibility.
Pallet Configurations for Every Warehousing Contingency
From easily accessible KANBAN quantity storage boxes on shop floors, to sturdy locking enclosures for secure storage at remote sites, heavy duty, indoor and outdoor storage cages, stillages, and certified transport boxes and pallets make it possible for businesses to inventory, warehouse, and transfer materials whenever they need to. These AS:4068-1993 compliant, Australian pallet dimension containers are manufactured in both corrosion-resistant steel and lightweight poly plastic configurations, are designed for optimal fitting in racks, semi-trailers, railcars, or floor block stacks, and are offered in a wide range of styles, including:
- Metal base pallets. Designed with either collapsible mesh, or full knockdown sides, these multi-purpose steel parts cages are available in both full- and half-height, as well as standard- and double-width variants.
- Weatherproof transport boxes. Ranging from 800mm – 2000mm in height, lockable transport boxes boast craneable lift tabs as well as 4-way forklift access.
- Drum-securing pallet systems. Extra stable drum holding attachments allow up to 4 drums to be secured to any type of pallet without the risk of dangerous tilting, or a potentially toxic spill hazard.
- Plastic pallet boxes. Made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), lightweight plastic pallet boxes help to reduce the chances of workplace injuries, and offer ideal rack or floor storage for small items.
- Post stillage pallets. Tough, AS 4084-compliant steel stillages are the perfect solution for storing and transporting over-length and oversized materials.
These premium quality pallet and storage cages for sale even boast a selection of optional features that aren’t possible with wooden pallets or skids, or other open-type storage containers, such as:
- Folding, or removable front and rear gates;
- Shelves, lids, and PVC weather covers; and,
- Lockable castor wheels.
And for businesses that still ship, receive, or utilize conventional wooden pallets, there are even 3-sided stillage cages available specifically for storing up to 15 AS-standard wooden pallets.
What’s the Real Value of Metal and Poly Plastic Pallets and Cages
Let’s be honest: while poly plastic and metal cage solutions cost more than conventional Australian wooden pallets, the advantages that they offer in accountability and long-term cost savings can’t be ignored. In fact, you only have to look at how they’re constructed to understand what their value-proposition has to offer.
- Durability. Unlike wooden pallets, long-lasting metal-based steel pallet cages and plastic pallet boxes are designed to withstand harsh climates, moisture, and damage that could be caused by rough handling.
- Uniformity. AS:4068-compliant steel cage storage units and plastic pallet boxes make it possible to configure storage areas for maximum utilization of the horizontal and vertical space that’s available.
- Convenience. Steel and plastic industrial storage cages do away with costly and time-consuming wooden pallet banding and stretch wrapping, and can also be fully disassembled and reassembled in seconds for rapid warehouse reconfigurations when necessary.
- Minimal maintenance. Steel and plastic cages and pallets don’t require the persistent maintenance that wooden pallets do, and can be easily washed down or sterilized for food-grade, or temperature-sensitive storage.
- Safety. Steel and plastic storage cases and systems feature a positive rack locking design, and with their robust construction, can also be safely stacked up to 4 units high without a tipping risk.
The fact is, no matter if your facility is using a bespoke automated AS:4084-compliant racking system, or prefers the low-tech simplicity of a block stacking solution, top-quality stillages and cages are the answer for cost savings and reliable material accountability.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, while most businesses are anxious to invest in software and training to increase their material accountability, many fail to realize that without proper palleting and storage containers, the goal of maximizing their operating processes will continue to evade them. Effective material and inventory control starts where the material is located, and that means having the best storage resources on the ground.
Metal and poly plastic pallet cages and storage solutions are the safest, and most reliable storage resources available. They allow businesses to elevate the material management processes, while reducing their material costs, damages, and risks of oversight.
