Storing your goods in the wrong facility can degrade product quality and cause financial losses. Whether you deal in packaged food, garments, electronics, or other goods, you need to rent a high-quality dry storage unit to maintain your products’ quality, integrity, and marketability.
According to an Avery Dennison report, on average, 8% of stock perishes annually, which can be reduced by improving storage facilities. A high-quality dry warehouse protects goods from moisture, excess heat, pests, and other environmental conditions.
But what exactly makes a dry storage warehouse the right choice for your business? In this blog, we will cover assessing your storage needs, key features to consider when selecting a warehouse for dry storage, and how to find the right provider.
Table of Contents
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Evaluating Storage Needs to Pick the Right Warehouse for Dry Storage Essential Features to Consider When Choosing a Dry Warehouse How to Find the Right Dry Warehouse? Final Thought
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Evaluating Storage Needs to Pick the Right Warehouse for Dry Storage
Before renting a dry storage warehouse, you should analyze your storage requirements. Here are the things to consider.
Type of Goods
Dry warehouses are essential to store products such as paper goods, textiles, non-perishable foods, electronics, cement, and various raw materials. While the basic necessity is to protect goods from moisture, different types of goods need different storage facilities.
For instance, a basic warehouse for dry storage might be suitable for some products, whereas electronics and pharma products often require more temperature control and a low humidity level. So, check the ideal temperature and humidity level that suits your product.
Warehouse Size and Layout
Warehouses are available in different sizes and layouts. While small storage units are suitable for startups, the large facilities are ideal for established businesses.
Understanding your specific needs will allow you to choose the right warehouse, saving costs and improving operational efficiency. Along with the size, consider the layout, including height and column spacing, as it impacts the accessibility and efficiency.
Location and Accessibility
Do you know how location impacts the overall logistics cost? According to a Navata Transport report, transportation makes up between 40% and 50% of overall logistics costs and between 4% and 10% of the finished products. Moreover, location also affects the delivery times and efficiency of business operations.
So, when choosing a dry warehouse for rent, make sure it is close to the ports and highways and your suppliers and customers. Besides that, choose a location with easy access to transportation facilities, labour, and minimal traffic congestion to ensure faster logistics operations.
Suggested Read: Why is location a critical factor when choosing a warehouse
Essential Features to Consider When Choosing a Warehouse for Dry Storage
When renting dry storage spaces, you should consider the key factors that can impact the safety and quality of your products and boost efficiency.
1. Temperature and Humidity Control
Many business owners overlook temperature and humidity levels when choosing a dry warehouse. But, fluctuating temperature and humidity in a dry warehouse can damage sensitive goods like food products, pharmaceuticals, paper, and electronics.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, indoor relative humidity should be kept between 30% and 50% to prevent the growth of mold.
Look for storage facilities with climate control systems to keep your goods in the best condition. A facility that displays real-time temperature and humidity levels can help you track the climate conditions more effectively.
2. Pest Control
Pest control is one of the critical features to consider when renting a warehouse. The reason is that warehouse pests can contaminate and damage products and cause massive losses. According to a BBM magazine report, warehouse pests damage up to 30 percent of crops.
However, crops are not the only goods; pests can damage many other products.
Effective pest control protects goods from damage, contamination, and prevents health risks, as they carry harmful microorganisms.
So, before choosing a warehouse, inquire about the facility’s pest control measures. Do they use eco-friendly methods? Do they conduct regular hygiene audits? Check these details before finalizing the warehouse.
3. Security Measures
A lack of warehouse security puts your inventory at risk, disrupts business operations, and causes financial loss. It also puts your employees' safety at risk and increases the risk of theft of sensitive data. So, what should you check to ensure the security of your dry warehouse? Here are the key security features to check.
- Security cameras: High-resolution, night-vision cameras with remote monitoring.
- Alarm systems: Motion sensors and door/window alarms linked to 24/7 monitoring.
- Security patrols: On-site patrols by security personnel to stop intrusion.
- Access control: Badge or biometric entry systems to restrict sensitive areas.
- Inventory tracking: RFID or barcode scanning to spot stock discrepancies instantly.
- Perimeter security: Strong fencing, gates, and lighting to keep intruders out.
4. Compliance with Industry Regulations
Before choosing a dry warehouse, you must ensure it complies with the industry regulations. But why is it essential? Compliance with the regulatory standards ensures the facility has the essential features to store goods and helps businesses avoid costly legal fines.
Depending on the types of goods you are storing, you need to check the regulations. For example, if you are storing dry food items in Dubai, the warehouse must meet Dubai Municipality standards. Similarly, for industrial goods, make sure the warehouse abides by the storage requirements set by local free zones authorities or the civil administration.
5. Size and Scalability
The warehouse space should be flexible to accommodate changing business needs, including seasonal increases in demand and future growth expansion. You should check if the facility offers modular spaces, short-term renting, or additional space you can tap into as your business grows.
The best option is to go for an on-demand warehouse that allows you to increase or decrease space according to your business needs. You can also rent a warehouse for short and long-term.
6. Warehouse Amenities
Apart from the storage space, security, and other factors, you must look for the amenities that impact your daily operations. Some of the key warehouse amenities you should consider include:
- Loading docks - Essential for the efficient transfer of goods to and from trucks.
- Forklifts and handling equipment - Crucial for moving and organizing inventory within the warehouse.
- Racking systems - It maximizes vertical storage space and improves organization.
- Fire Safety Measures - Fire alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers ensure protection from fire.
- Parking Space - Make sure there is enough parking for goods trucks and your staff.
- Uninterrupted Power & Internet Supply - Crucial for smooth operation and comfort of your employees.
How to Find the Right Dry Warehouse?
When looking for a dry warehouse for rent, you can check online and contact the providers. Research the warehouse provider’s history, testimonials, and customer service before signing the contract.
However, one problem with renting a warehouse in this traditional way is you need to rent an entire warehouse even if you don't need the whole space. What's the solution?
Warehouse marketplaces like Cargoz provide dry storage warehouses services, helping you find a storage facility that suits your business demands. You can rent the space on a short or long-term basis.
Final Thought
Warehouses are essential to keep their goods in good condition for a long time. That's why when choosing a dry warehouse, you must consider the key factors we have discussed to make an informed decision.
If you are looking for flexible, on-demand warehousing solutions, you can contact Cargoz. We offer a platform that allows you to choose from multiple options. Don't wait, contact us and we will help you find the perfect warehouse for your business.