Warehousing is a crucial part of the manufacturing, distribution, and logistics business as it ensures secure storage and smooth distribution. But did you analyse the real cost of unreliable or inadequate commercial storage?
It includes damaged goods, missed deadlines, constant stress, and, more importantly, financial loss. When you have a large inventory, can you afford an ordinary warehouse?
Many businesses undermine the need for AC warehouses. However, the reality is that even the quality of non-perishable goods can be affected in the hot and humid weather of Dubai. That's why the need for AC warehouses is paramount for commercial storage.
In this blog, we will explore what AC warehouses are, how they differ from non-AC facilities, their benefits for commercial storage, and how to find the right AC warehouse in Dubai
Table of Contents
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What is an AC warehouse? 6 Key Benefits of AC Warehouse for Commercial Storage Difference Between AC and Non-AC Warehouses Businesses Need to Understand How Do You Find the Right AC Warehouse for Rent in Dubai? Conclusion
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What is an AC warehouse?
AC warehouses are storage facilities that regulate temperature, humidity, air quality, and other environmental factors. It helps in protecting goods from getting damaged due to environmental conditions. These facilities use HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems for managing a specific temperature, moisture, and air quality level regardless of the weather conditions.
6 Key Benefits of AC Warehouse for Commercial Storage in Dubai
AC warehouses offer several advantages for commercial storage. Here are the top six benefits
- Preserving Product Quality
- Protection from Dust, Debris & Pests
- Regulatory Compliance
- Advanced Security Measures
- Better Customer Satisfaction
- Improved Employee Productivity
1. Preserving Product Quality
Temperature control is critical for various products, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and some electronic items. AC warehouses maintain a precise and consistent temperature that prevents spoilage, growth of bacteria and moulds, thus preserving the goods' quality.
These storage facilities have strict cleanliness practices to reduce contamination risks, ensuring your inventory remains clean and safe. AC storage facilities also maintain an optimum humidity level, which is crucial to prevent damage.
For example, paper products, wooden furniture, clothing, food items, etc., can get damaged or deformed due to high humidity, but AC warehouses have dehumidification systems that help in maintaining the right humidity level. These features of AC warehouses extend the lifespan of your goods and help in retaining the quality.
2. Protection from Dust, Debris & Pests
Dust, debris, and pests can damage delicate goods, degrade their quality, and shorten the products' lifespan. Besides controlling temperature and humidity, AC warehouses protect your goods from dust and debris.
With several layers of protection, these storage facilities provide a clean and contamination-free environment to maintain the quality of the products. Moreover, AC warehouses remain insulated from insects and pests, as any potential entry points are blocked. It provides protection from damage caused by termites, cockroaches, rats, and other pests.
3. Regulatory Compliance
Pharmaceuticals, food items, and other temperature-sensitive goods require a specific temperature level under the law. This is applicable across the world, including the UAE. Failing to comply with this not only damages your goods, but your business also attracts penalties.
If you are running your business in Dubai, you must adhere to the Dubai Municipality guidelines. However, the good thing is that AC warehouses adhere to these guidelines and maintain specific conditions, which significantly reduces the risk of penalties.
4. Advanced Security Measures
AC warehouses are more secure compared to non-AC ones, as there is a higher level of protection. These storage facilities have fewer entry points to create insulation.
If we talk about Dubai, most AC warehouses have a robust security system, including access control, CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and monitoring by security guards. This significantly reduces the chances of intruding and ensures better security for commercial storage.
5. Improved Employee Productivity
How does it feel to work in a warehouse in the scorching summer? Sounds challenging? It is difficult to focus on work when the temperature goes above a certain level. In warm places like the UAE, the temperature remains around 40 degrees Celsius during the daytime in the summer season. This high temperature impacts employee productivity.
According to the AZEVAP report, quoting NASA heat stress study CR-1205, employee output drops by 18% and accuracy impacts by 40% when workplace temperature rises above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius). The productivity further deteriorates as temperature increases. This shows how an AC warehouse can help you improve productivity.
Even though it is not directly affecting commercial storage but when you are operating on a large scale, employee productivity ensures operational efficiency and delivering order on time.
6. Better Customer Satisfaction & Competitive Edge
Product quality is a crucial factor that determines the loyalty of your customers, especially in a competitive business environment. Whether you are delivering goods to wholesalers or customers directly, keeping the product in proper condition ensures customer satisfaction.
When you store the products in an AC warehouse, they remain in their original condition as they come from the factory, which reduces returns and complaints and helps you build trust and loyalty.
Key Differences Between AC and Non-AC Warehouses Businesses Need to Understand
Understanding the difference between AC and non-AC storage facilities is important for business owners and decision-makers to make an informed decision that will impact the business in the long run.
Criteria | AC Warehouse | Non-AC Warehouse |
Temperature & Humidity Control | Optimise the temperature according to the requirement and maintain a stable temperature level irrespective of the outside weather conditions. | Goods are exposed to high and fluctuating temperatures and humidity, which affect products sensitive to heat or humidity. |
Products’ Shelf Life | Prevents damage to products from excessive heat and humidity, maintains the quality, and extends their shelf life. | The products are more likely to get damaged due to exposure to environmental conditions, significantly reducing their shelf life. |
Air Quality & Cleanliness | These spaces are equipped with air filtration systems that significantly reduce dust, insects, and airborne contaminants. | Goods stored in these facilities are more vulnerable to dust, insects, pests, and debris, especially when kept in open or poorly ventilated spaces. |
Cost | These facilities are more expensive due to expenditure on cooling systems, cleanliness, and better security, but are justified by the benefits they offer. | These are more affordable options but lack temperature control, cleanliness, and hygiene like AC warehouses. |
Suitable for | Ideal for storing heat and humidity-sensitive goods such as medicines, food items, some electronics, chemicals, cosmetics, artwork, paper goods, etc. | General goods like plastic items, packaging materials, engine components, electrical parts, hardware, metal raw materials, some dry foods, etc. |
How Do You Find the Right AC Warehouse for Rent in Dubai?
In a country like the UAE, where the climate is hot and humid, the demand for AC warehouses is high throughout the year. According to an Arab News report, the growth of e-commerce, the entry of new businesses, and the expansion by oil and gas companies have led to increased demand for warehousing space, including AC facilities. This has resulted in a 13% growth in the rental rates, making it difficult to find the right AC warehouse in Dubai.
If you are looking for an AC warehouse for commercial storage, what are the factors you should consider, and how do you go about it?
Key Factors to Consider to Find an AC Warehouse in Dubai
Location
Location is a critical factor when selecting a warehouse as it impacts efficiency. Finalise a location that gives you easy access to highways and transportation facilities, and easy access for customers and suppliers. If you are in the import/export business, look for a storage place near the port.
Space Requirements
Analyse how much space you need to ensure you can comfortably accommodate the goods. Consider the size and quantity of your goods and your business's future requirements.
Suggested Read: Best Practices for Optimizing Warehouse Space
HVAC Quality & Cleanliness
When renting an AC storage facility, you want to ensure that the HVAC system works perfectly and provides the right environment to protect your goods from heat, moisture, dust, and insects.
Once you consider the top factors, it's time to explore the available facilities. You can check on various online platforms and contact the property owners. But one problem in finding a warehouse this way is that you can't compare the prices and customise the space requirements.
The best way is to check with warehouse marketplaces like Cargoz, which lists various storage options across the UAE. Cargoz is a trusted name in the industry, offering verified AC warehouses.
You can also select a space from 50 to 10,000 square feet and rent an on-demand warehouse that fits your business needs. The best part is that you pay only for what you use.
Conclusion
Maintaining the good's quality and increasing shelf life is important for commercial storage; AC warehouses help businesses do that. However, not all the AC storage facilities may be in excellent condition to provide the right environment for your goods.
At Cargoz, we verify every storage facility to ensure high quality and transparency. If you are looking for an AC warehouse in Dubai or other cities in the UAE, contact us, and we will help you find an ideal facility that addresses your business demands.