Suite of upgraded storage solutions streamlines parts location

California-based Quinn Company sells, rents and services a full line of new and used Caterpillar industrial, agricultural and construction equipment. When updating its warehouse infrastructure, it sought to upgrade the existing storage units inside. An array of new racks, shelves and cabinets resulted in 70% space savings.

The scope of the project included 204 cabinets (Vidmar, stanleyvidmar.com), pallet roller conveyors, mini pallet racks, 72 pallet racks, carton flow racking, 140 bin shelving units and 12 cantilever racks.

“Our infrastructure update was no small task, especially when having to work around the initial units in the warehouse,” says Chris Lucas, Quinn parts manager. “Regardless of the obstacles, we needed to minimize warehouse downtime.”

While managing the procurement of solutions from other vendors, the supplier installed all of the storage equipment, which was fully operational within 90 days. Two of the supplier’s customizable cabinets now hold the contents of five standard units of shelving. Interchangeable drawers support up to 400 pounds of material each, even when fully extended.

As inventory shifts, so does the arrangement of drawer contents, optimized by using organizational accessories including foam inserts, plastic dividers, and partitions. Lucas says full visibility of drawer contents makes for easy access and reduced pick times.

Ultimately, the new storage resulted in as much as 70% space savings, maximized organization, and increased operational efficiency.