To the back of store… and beyond

Mike Alibone, Business Development & Marketing Manager, SSI Schaefer

The back of store has assumed greater importance in terms of being able to hold increasing volumes of stock for rapid access for shop floor replenishment.  Maximising holding capacity in this area has become a prerequisite for many store managers.

The versatility of adjustable shelving systems is widely acknowledged throughout the retail industry as these systems offer a very flexible solution to overcoming the restrictions of back of store storage space. These systems are available in a range of sizes, including long-span, to accommodate almost all products from food items to non-perishable goods and they provide benefits in terms of simple and fast assembly and can be disassembled, rebuilt and expanded at any time. Add to this the mobility aspect with wheel-mounted standard shelving, or dedicated mobile shelving, then the challenges posed by back of store space restrictions become more manageable.

While SSI Schaefer designs, plans and installs such systems, we are equally happy to simply supply the product, ex-stock, from our UK distribution centre or direct from our manufacturing facility in Germany. Acknowledging its versatility, one retailer, Bournemouth-based Consortium (www.consortium.co.uk)  organised and planned its own back of store layout and has recently purchased shelving from SSI Schaefer’s R3000 range, subsequently installing it as a self-assembly project.

Further optimisation of storage capacity right up to the roof, if height allows, can be achieved through multi-tier shelving where the design of the upright supports allows not only shelves to be hung from them, but also elevated walkways, which allow access to shelving at higher levels.

If stock security is an issue, shelving systems can be made secure with mesh panels and solid access doors to control access, while a comprehensive range of accessories includes specialist glass shelving, adjustable width shelf-dividers and a broad spectrum of plastic containers to safely contain loose and valuable items.

SSI Schaefer provides a full range of materials handling and storage systems which include pallet racking and fully automated picking, storage and retrieval systems, warehouse management, project management and design services.