April 2021 | Racked Out Inc.

Racking Installation Services: More Value Than You Might Think!

Own a warehouse? Manage a warehouse? At some point, you’ve probably had to deal with racking systems, and it’s likely you found a racking installation company to help you plan, design and install your system.

Did you know that racking companies frequently offer more than just installation services? Additional services that often fall under “installation” actually far surpass simple racking set up.

That’s why today, we’re taking a deeper dive into racking installation services. What are they? What do they actually do for your warehouse, and why might they be useful for you and your business?

If you manage a warehouse, or handle supply chain logistics, you probably already

know a bit about warehouse racking, but let’s start with the basics.

What Is Racking?

Racking systems, very simply, are the structures that hold your product. They come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, sizes and configurations to help maximize efficiency and workflow.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the racking system world is that a racking system is well- unchanging. But while they might seem like structures that are installed and left to function as is, in reality it is a lot more nuanced than that.

See your warehouse is a complex ecosystem, with your racking system playing a central role. The organizational processes used to optimize them, the structures and the materials used to make them- all directly affect the way the system operates. The product your warehouse moves, the conditions the product must be moved within, the timeline of production- all of these aspects are considered when creating and designing the ideal racking system.

Product or supply chain changes may mean that your racking needs releveling, or updating. Warehouse locations change too, as do the materials best suited for the racking systems. Further still, all racking systems will need occasional repairs and/or replacement, in order to address stress, strain, overloading or even collision damage.

If you’re looking for racking installation, you’ll want to look for a company with a wide variety of end-to-end services, ideal for long-term maintenance.

Why?

The fact is, when you know your Warehouse is an ever-evolving part of your company. You want to work with a company that can provide a diverse set of services to match your adapting needs.

What Are The Best High Value Racking Services?

What sorts of installation services might a warehouse want to consider when upgrading or restructuring their racking system? What are they and why are they helpful?

New warehouse and storage facility layouts;

If you’re opening a new warehouse- chances are you’ll need a racking system installed.

Condensing and maximizing layout efficiency;

This is great for teams looking for ways to improve space and movement.

Converting part or all of your operation to very narrow aisle layouts;

VNA or Very Narrow Aisles boast a variety of advantages, including saving space and maximizing warehouse surface. And their compact design means a reduction in the steel needed to build them.

Develop site plans and consult on best work-flow operations;

If you’ve wondered if there is a way to optimize your warehouse or streamline your operations- this is a highly beneficial service!

Relocation services;

Relocations often mean spaces that are better suited to your current needs, but tearing down, moving and rebuilding your system is a hassle. A company can provide end-to-end warehouse tear down and relocation services. This is also a perfect time to consider redesigning your warehouse to optimize its functionality.

Rack replacement tear down and erection services;

Rack replacement will happen. And when it does, an expert team can help you prep, plan and replace the necessary parts of your system. And erect the replacement pieces too!

Safety equipment consulting and installations;

Safety is paramount to every job, and warehousing and construction are no different. For full safety assessments, pre-start safety inspections and, safety optimization and protective equipment, you can contact a Racking Installation company skilled with warehousing safety measures.

Rapid repair services for racking structural issues, overload and collision damage;

This is a service that, much like an umbrella, you want to have just in case. Accidents happen even under the best of circumstances.

What Are the Best Racking Installation Companies?

Racked Out offers full turn-key solutions for warehouses- meaning we offer all the above services among others. But what is most important for a business looking to advance their warehouse racking system, is finding a company that works for your unique needs, and can provide you quality service, impeccable craftsmanship, and long-term care, for all your warehouses needs.

If you liked what you’ve seen here today, you should check us out online at www.rackedout.ca. Come say hello!

4 Things You Should Know About Pallet Protection

Pallets are an instrumental part of your warehouse and integral to your product’s safety. Protecting your pallets with pallet racking protectors is a vital step to ensuring your business.

If you haven’t given much thought to pallet protection, this is the moment to re-evaluate. Today, we’re tackling pallet protection- what is it, why it is important and a few other fun facts that might surprise you! Let’s dive on in!

1. What Are Pallet Racking Protectors And What Are They Made Of?

Our pallet protectors are made of solid steel! This is the most durable and hard-wearing material to use for reinforcement. What’s more, they are designed to function without impeding on any important operation areas, such as pick points or aisle flow.

2. Pallet Protectors Save You Time And Money!

Yes, pallet protectors save you money! When your pallets are protected, your warehouse, your racking system, your product and, of course, your pallets, are all at reduced risk of damage. Fork trucks, forklifts, equipment, and even personnel can all cause a risk of damage to your pallets and their product. Depending on the amount of, and type of damage, it may be necessary to remove product, or even repair or replace entire pallets- or even the racking system itself. Pallet safety protectors reduce the risk of costly downtime!

3. Pallet Protection Is Fast, Durable And Long Lasting

As we mentioned earlier, our pallet protection is made entirely out of strong, highly durable steel. This means these powerful protectors give 24/7 protection against your investments. They require little set up time and are very low maintenance, yet they offer long-lasting continuous high-grade protection. Easily replaced when damaged, steel pallet protection such as this is a cost effective and extremely practical addition to your warehouse racking system.

4. Compact Design With Space Efficiency In Mind

Our pallet protection system fits compactly against racking and pallets, maximizing space efficiency, while keeping aisles clear for work. The product design is built to be highly efficient with space, making it an excellent choice for high-density storage applications.

At first glance, pallet racking protectors may seem like a “Nice-To-Have” for a warehouse, but once factoring in the long lasting durability, the compact high-density usage, the practical safety and functionality, the ultra-low maintenance and the long-term reduction in harm to products and pallets alike pallet protection quickly becomes a must-have for any racking system.

Interested in taking a deeper look into Pallet Racking itself? Check out our Pallet products and services!

Understanding Ontario Employer / Employee Workplace Safety During Covid-19

How Businesses Survive During Pandemics

Managing a successful enterprise during a global pandemic is no easy feat. Shifting health and safety protocols, stressed and anxious staff and supply chain issues are just a few of the problems facing companies today. How businesses survive during pandemics is a question that has crossed many minds over the past year.

You know that safety is necessary for ensuring the health and wellness of your staff, your clients, and your company at large. Yet public health suggestions, government guidelines and public opinion change so quickly that it can be hard to establish a clear set of protocols for your own work place.

That’s why today, Racked Out is tackling this subject: Exactly how do essential companies manage their warehouse needs during the constantly shifting times of Covid-19?

We aren’t saying we have all the answers, or that our guidelines won’t require updating as our public health conditions change, but we’re offering some tips to our industry to help keep companies, their warehouses and of course, their people- safe and healthy.

Best Practices Are To Keep The Strictest Precautions For As Long As Possible

Yes, we know it’s likely the last thing you want to hear, but where health and safety is concerned we can never be too careful.

For the purposes of this article, we are using the health and safety guidelines laid out through the government of Ontario via Ontario.ca Workplace resources page, updated as of late April 2021.

What Are Your Responsibilities As An Employer To Provide A Safe Workplace During Covid-19?

Under Ontario Law, employers are obligated to take every reasonable measure to ensure the safety of their employees. Further, employees have the protected right to refuse work that is unsafe. For further information, the Ontario government has issued workplace safety guidelines outlined by Ontario public health.

Under OSHA, The Occupational Health And Safety Act, employers are required to:

– confirm workers understand the hazards of their workplace. They must be provided with accurate and updated information, instructions and supervisors, in order to allow them to work safely.

– confirm supervisors know what is required to ensure a healthy workplace to protect their staff.

– create workplace health and safety policies and procedures that ensure safety.

– ensure employees are following best practices

– ensure proper Personal Protective Equipment is available and that staff are trained for its’ proper use.

– ensure all reasonable measures are in place to protect workers.

Some of these guidelines include disinfecting commonly used surfaces, a minimum of twice daily with a disinfectant that has a clear Drug Identification Number (DIN). This DIN indicates it is confirmed for use by the government of Canada.

If these regulations seem intense and daunting, it’s understandable.

In short: Workplaces must provide workers with information, instruction, protective measures and supervision. This includes providing access to proper PPE, enforcing safe working practices and ensuring proper cleanliness with approved disinfectants.

PRO TIP: Need to mask your employees? Why not turn it into a marketing venture. Consider getting masks made for your employees that sport your company logo. This promotes safe work practices, strong branding, enhances company trust, and builds positive industry reputation.

What To Do If You’re Worried About Employee Exposure To Covid-19.

No one wants to think about it, but it is important to have a thorough plan in the event of Covid-19 exposure. Utilizing the guidelines from Ontario Public Health can help your team generate a comprehensive action plan in the event of exposure.

Based upon what is currently available (April 2021), the steps to addressing a COVID-concern at work could look like this example below.

Upon Detection Of Symptoms:

The Onatrio government requires employers to actively screen their employees at the start of each working day to assess possible symptoms. You can find an online screening tool on their website, along with many additional resources that can help your company plan their Covid-Safe Workplace Strategy.

Upon a worker showing symptoms of Covid-19, the employer should encourage them to stay home and contact their health care provider, their local public health unit, and Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000). It may be in their best interest to get a Covid-19 Test.

At this stage it is necessary for the employer to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the working environment and/or job site to confirm who the employee may have come in contact with.

Discretionary Response Based On Risk-Assessment

Based on the risk assessment, the Employer may decide (or may be required to) send co-workers who were exposed to the initial worker home for two weeks with the request to self-isolate, self-monitor, and report any Covid-Like symptoms. Shutting down the worksite in order to clean and disinfect the site and equipment may also be advised or required.

As an employer, if you are notified that your worker has an occupational illness contracted through work exposure at the workplace, or that a WSIB claim has been filed, the employer must notify The Ministry Of Labour, Training and Skills Development in writing, within four days.

The Main Takeaway: Have A Comprehensive Plan For Addressing COVID-19

We have gone through some of the major protocols outlined currently by the government of Ontario. At first glance, these protocols may seem exhausting, and complicated. These complications can be mediated and simplified in advance, if your team has already put an internal framework in place. Safety-plans for your workplace can be created independently and adapted to your companies specific needs.

As an example, one such framework may look like this:

– All employees are required to be screened before starting work. Screening includes self reporting conditions and recording temperature at the start of each day.

– Employees are cross-trained on various tasks. In the event that one or more members become sick, their tasks can be transferred to others.

– Prepare and plan for sick days from your staff. Update your current internal sick day policy to reduce penalties for sick days. A sick employee who comes into work may risk harming your entire team.

– Simplify projects and teams. All work that can be done at home should be done at home.

– In the event that a person is sick, have an action-plan for thorough cleaning and evacuation. As an example: A worksite may be evacuated for a few hours, while a supervisor(s) in PPE disinfects the site. All employees are asked to get COVID-19 tests.

– Have discussions with clients up front and in advance of starting a job. Share with them your comprehensive Covid safety plan. Let them know in advance what additional protocols are in place. This lets’ your client know your commitment to safety, and allows workflow processes and potential hurdles to be discussed in advance.

– Have a plan for your worker to safely return to work.

Tips For Essential Workers To Help Slow The Spread Of COVID-19

If you, or a colleague is experiencing any COVID-like symptoms (such as a cough or difficulty breathing) the course of action should be to stay home, and alert your workplace supervisor. Important lessons in how businesses survive during pandemics can be learned.

For those working in essential capacities and trying to limit the spread of Covid-19, the following tips are also recommended by the government of Ontario:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, and with alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Use the crook of your covered elbow or sleeve if you must cough or sneeze
Discard tissues immediately after use and wash hands thoroughly afterwards
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Limit and/or avoid contact with anyone feeling unwell
Stay home as much as possible, and always when you are sick
Limit or avoid contact with high-touch areas such as handrails, or public transit surfaces like hand-bars.
Wash clothes as soon as you get home
Notify your supervisor immediately if you are sick.
Take every reasonable precaution to keep yourself, your loved ones and your workplace safe.

Any employee concerned about the health and safety adherence in their workplace has the right to refuse unsafe work. If you, or someone you know is concerned about safety in their workplace, and has already attempted to resolve the disputes internally, you can reach out to the Ministry Of Labour, Training and Skills Developments’ Health And Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.

Conclusion (How Businesses Survive During Pandemics)

The Covid-19 Pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, and circumstances and protocol surrounding best practices are changing constantly. Keeping up with the latest developments can feel overwhelming and stressful, especially when the safety of your workers and the well being of your company is at risk.

It is normal and understandable to feel emotional and practical exhaustion during such unprecedented times. Thankfully, accessing and understanding the up-to-date government guidelines can help give you peace of mind, while also ensuring the safety of your staff.

Most importantly, having a comprehensive action plan for working safely, and addressing safety concerns (such as illness or COVID symptoms) when they arise can help calm your company in turbulent times, and ensure safety for the future.

Additional Sources:

What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19

When Warehouses Attack: The Hidden Costs Of The Unsafe Warehouse

What are the Hazards in a Warehouse?

Warehouses are complex organizational structures that grow and evolve within your company. In the hussle of growing and developing your business, it is easy to take for granted that your warehouse is chugging along, functioning fine as a stable, unchanging unit. What are the hazards in a warehouse?

Yet, just like checking the oil level in ones’ car, or doing a computer update on your office software, regular care and keeping of your warehouse is vital to streamlined and efficient workflow.

You know that regular upkeep on your warehouse is needed. You also know that, just like updating a computer or changing your oil- such maintenance takes time, attention, and resources- while not necessarily feeling urgent.

The main issue here is that, while not urgent, the ramifications of failing to attend to your warehouses’ safety can create a plethora of negative effects. Including loss of productivity, loss of reputation and most importantly- loss of safety to your employees.

What Are The WORST Negative Effects Of Poor Safety in Warehouses?

As an employer, you are responsible for providing your employees with a safe working environment. For those businesses residing in Ontario, Canada, for example, they are held accountable for their workplace safety by the Ontario Health And Safety Act (OHSA).

Workplace inspections are performed by the Ministry of Labour. Training & Skills Development Inspectors operating under Healthy & Safety regulations, conduct their inspections to ensure that your facility is adhering to the guidelines set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The inspector has the right to issue orders to a warehouse, including Stop-Work orders, which may be put in place until safety conditions are met.

If your warehouse is found to have violations, your business may be subject to tickets, fines, orders to change, stop-work/shutdown orders, and even charges. In severe cases, convictions to your corporation are possible

If this seems a little extreme to you, that’s’ because it is.

Lapses in workplace safety can lead to a host of problems- most importantly, harm caused to human life.
Yet, loss of human life, while the worst of tragic and extreme situations, is not the only negative outcome to unsafe warehouses. Let’s take a look at some others.

How Do Unsafe Warehouses Create Loss Of Productivity?

From a high level it seems obvious that a Stop-work order or a warehouse shut down will stop productivity. Yet loss of productivity can have more nuanced and sweeping effects than a clear stop in a production line.

Delays Due To Fixing Safety Issues

We can understand the severity and scope of loss of productivity due to safety issues through a few scenarios, like these below.

A level of racking received damage, and now must be replaced. You’ll need to pause your operations partially to clear the rack, tear it down, and replace the parts. You may need to cancel the shifts of a few employees to make space for the upgrades. It is likely you will lose a day or longer in order to address this. Or you could simply clear the level and otherwise ignore the damaged rack.

You find damage to a machine that is creating an unsafe condition. Your production line may be stalled while repairs are done, or you may choose to use the machine with the addition of safer protocol. Regardless; time, attention and resources will be needed to handle the change, slowing productivity and possibly requiring expensive replacement.

While the exact cases may be too numerous to mention, productivity is lost in all of them- not only through labor, but through the use of mental and practical resources required to do the repairs and augmentations necessary. Yet, in all circumstances, early intervention, and most importantly prevention could have stopped the situation from reaching this point.

Damage To Product Or Warehouse Itself

Perhaps the issue is not with safety to human lives, but unsafe practices. As an example:

A failure to protect your pallet racking systems means that damage has occurred to the racking system, which now needs replacement or risks harming the product. Productivity is lost while the rack is replaced.

Or

A failure to safe-gaurd your warehouse walls means a forklift accident has damaged your facility. Productivity is lost while damages are repaired.

In these above scenarios prevention in the form of advanced protection saves time, labor, resources and ensures safety to the product and production pipeline.

Loss Of Productivity Caused By Unattended-To Conditions

All too often small problems with simple fixes are allowed to remain, as their inconvenience is slightly less taxing than the annoyance of addressing them. On the surface, these seem like fairly harmless inconveniences, however, they can be the causes of larger issues down the line.

Consider this scenario in your warehouse’s racking system.

An unprotected rack has been damaged by a forklift, and is no longer able to support the weight of the product it holds. To keep conditions safe, product is removed from this single rack, but the rack is not teared down or fixed, as this would cause more delays. The damaged rack is exposed to moisture, rusts, and eventually collapses. The collapse causes the rack to fall onto racking with product on it- damaging the product, the pallets, the working racking system, and injuring an employee in the process.

In this case, a simple solution at the right time would stop this lost productivity and additional damages.

How Do Unsafe Warehouses Lead To Reduced Growth?

Unsafe warehouses take a lot out of a company and it’s bottom line. To go back to our earlier example of updating computer software, failure to update a computer does not only slow the computer (loss of productivity) but it also increases your risk for malware (in this case, loss of growth).

Your warehouse may not have safety concerns that are actively causing harm- but without addressing them, you are reducing your growth potential.

Let’s take a look at some additional examples.

Loss Of Growth Through Conditions Causing Product Damage

When we fail to address issues that have the potential to reduce our growth, we are inadvertently affecting our bottom line. Consider the examples below:

Your temperature-controlled warehouse has a leak in it, and a full repair will be costly. The leak is only noticeable in winter- and thus is temporarily patched for this time. However, the insects that get in during the summer months can wreak havoc on the product you’re shipping out.

Or;

The crack in the warehouse’s ceiling is harming no one, so it is left unrepaired with a sign to alert people to avoid the leaking it causes. However, the water that seeps in from a major storm ruins a pallet of car batteries your warehouse is storing.

In these situations the unsafe working conditions are small and seemingly harmless. As easy as they are to overlook, they risk damage to your product- which is always affecting the bottom line.

Loss Of Growth Due To Damage To The Warehouse Itself

You are likely paying a good deal of money to use your warehouse, and keeping it safe and protected should matter to the bottom line of the company. Some changes for warehouses are not to address safety issues, but to proactively protect against damages, as seen in the scenario below.

A properly trained forklift driver will never back into a wall- in theory. Yet accidents happen, and an unprotected wall struck by a forklift damages the warehouse wall and the nearby racking.

In the scenario above, the damage can be avoided by installing safety features proactively.

The thing is- warehouses do not need safety maintenance just for addressing current issues. They also need safety maintenance for proactively reducing risks.

Loss Of Growth Due To Damage To Personelle

Let’s skip the scenario example here, as considering a death from a workplace accident is deeply distressing. We still can discuss the plethora of negative effects resulting from it.

In cases such as these, the loss of growth for the company may seem negligible against the loss of human life and those affected by it. Outside of this worst case scenario (tragedy to the loved ones family) there is damage caused to employees who obtain injuries due to unsafe conditions, practices or protocols put in place in the name “productivity.” Losing trained, vital staff for any length of time, reduces efficiency and lowers growth and output.

In some cases, unsafe conditions may lead to higher turn over, which lowers growth due to the resources needed to source and train new staff.

Additionally, lack of proper safety may be noticed by a safety inspector, who may make recommendations for additional safety training. While this additional safety is necessary and beneficial, the time it takes to train the staff can reduce growth in the short term- which may not need to happen if proper safety training is a regular part of your Warehouses’ standard practice.

What Are The Lesser-Known Negative Effects Of Poor Warehouse Safety?

It is important to understand that warehouse safety is not just a practical choice companies need to make for their product, their facility and their team. Lack of warehouse safety, even on a minor scale, can derail a company in otherwise good standing, in a small amount of time.

Poor Warehouse Safety Ruins Public Company Reputation

Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as bad publicity, especially where workplace safety is concerned. A company may spend decades building a strong public image, only to watch it disintegrate rapidly after public exposure in the face of a serious workplace accident.

Unsafe Warehouses’ Harm Employee Performance And Loyalty

If a company does not appear to care about operating its’ warehouse in a safe manner, it is fair to expect the employees to mirror that attitude.

In cases of warehouse and workplace safety, it is necessary for the employer to lead by example. Lax attitudes from management can trickle down to lax employees. In turn, these employees may feel their own safety is not a paramount concern to their employer, which can erode morale, company trust, and overall staff loyalty.

Consider incentivizing employees to report unsafe working conditions.

Unsafe Warehouse Conditions Can Lead To Damaged Industry Reputation

A company with health and safety violations faces an uphill battle to regain industry trust, and positive brand recognition. Negative press can affect brand reputation and poor company response can harm industry relationships.

Internally, staff may feel less safe at their jobs, which can lead to stress, health and wellness issues, decreased productivity, lower standards and expectations, and overall lower performance.

It may be costly to maintain a safe warehouse- but it is far more costly not to.

What Can You Do About Warehouse Safety?

The fact is, there are easy, simple and yes, cost-effective ways to keep and upgrade your warehouse to be safe and efficient! With a little bit of planning and resource management, you will never have to face a situation where loss of time, money, or even human life, need to affect you.

Increase Warehouse Safety By Getting A Pre-Start Safety Inspection!

As a company dedicated to planning, creating, installing and maintaining racking systems, Racked Out can vouch for the validity and reliability of Pre-Start Safety Inspections. These inspections are designed to confirm racking system safety, and assure you that your system is in compliance with all applicable protocol for the Ontario Ministry and Board of Labor

Both the ministry and Racked Out strongly encourage on-going training on rack load recommendations, tracking and reporting system damage, safe operation of equipment around racking installations, daily inspection duties, and any other site-specific requirements.

Racked Outs’ professionally certified and fully trained team, can conduct safety inspections for any racking system.

Increase Warehouse Safety With Facility Safety Systems

Many companies (Like us!) also offer Facility Safety Systems. Facility Safety Systems are a series of products and guidelines used to protect aspects of your facility from increased risk or damage. Guardrails, pallet protectors, railings and various other protective equipment that can save your warehouse, your products and your people from damage.

The team at Racked Out can design a series of recommendations geared towards your warehouse, your product and your teams’ specific needs.

That’s Great! But What Else Can I Do To Keep A Safe Warehouse?

A great question! Here are a few tips and tricks below!

A comprehensive daily check-list of safety precautions, which is reviewed daily by key staff / Supervisors
Clear, easy-to-understand ways to report and address any safety-concerns
Staff trained in basic safety and warehouse risk management
Regular on-site safety checks and walkthroughs
Detailed notes on daily safety reports, signed by supervisors
Good lighting and stable, clear, dry working surfaces
Organized storage systems and protocols
Sign-in / sign-out for gear and equipment
On-going safety training and refresher courses
Third-party safety reviews and assessments
Proper ventilation, and climate control for product and personnel
Practical, and appropriate break times for staff
Staff access to basic necessities, such as water, rest-rooms, rest areas, and easy access to emergency medical care (First Aid Kits / Eye-Wash Stations)
On-going revisions to ergonomic working environments
Regular re-evaluation for warehousing systems to ensure efficiency and safety
Positively recognize those who prioritize safety

Do You Have Safety Tips You Use In Your Warehouse? We’d Love To Know!

Racked Out wants to hear your safety tips! Drop us a line anytime. And if you’d like to check out our advanced safety services, including our Pre-start safety inspections and Safety Facility Services, check out our website here.

Sources:

https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-occupational-health-and-safety-act

https://seerackinginspections.co.uk/what-are-the-costs-of-dangerous-warehouse/

https://www.logiwa.com/blog/warehouse-safety

https://gocontractor.com/blog/the-cost-of-an-unsafe-workplace/

https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2020/08/creating-a-safe-environment-for-warehouse-employees/

https://www.apsfulfillment.com/warehousing-solutions/how-to-have-a-safer-warehouse/

https://www.axelent.com/axel/build-a-safe-warehouse/

9 Habits Of highly Effective Racking Companies

Anyone who works in the construction or warehousing industries knows the depth of nuances that go into the work. The orchestrated balance of project management, staff coordination, material ordering and handling, market evaluation, job competition- the list goes on. There are a variety of good business habits that can be found in different industries.

For many who work in industries requiring warehousing, the planning and creating of efficient and effective warehouses is a detailed and organized feat that requires careful execution.

An organized warehouse is one of the greatest gifts of resource efficiency you can give your company. As racking systems specialists, trained to work with any racking system, Racked Out understands the importance of warehouse management to your company.

That’s why today, we are sharing some of the habits of highly effective racking companies, companies that produce exceptional racking systems and keep their customers happy.

1. They Produce Quality Work

First thing is first- great racking companies make great racking systems. They understand the systems needed for your business. At the end of their contract, you have a racking system that is properly and safely constructed, functioning correctly and doing its job in the best way possible.

In short: They get the job done. And they get it done right.

2. They Offer Incredible Customer Service

Although we imagine it goes without saying, it is worth repeating: Service sells. Quality service, and by that we mean service which is timely, efficient, communicative, effective and positively responsive is not just a “nice to have” from a racking company- it is mandatory.

In short: A good racking company will put service at the pinnacle of their performance, right beside craftsmanship.

3. They Are Utilizing Their Social Media

Social media is at the forefront of most people’s social lives these days, especially while physical and social distancing is in place. Yet, social media is one of the most effective ways to build your brand, establish connections and even shape your industry.

A company putting time and resources into social media is saying several things:

They are digitally literate as a company
They see value in connecting with audiences in social media spaces

It’s important to look at how a racking company is using their social media. A quality racking company will be mixing their social media output with a blend of content, including valuable industry insights. The main take-away here, is that social media should be used to build your brand alongside industry thought-leadership.

In short: They use their social media presence to build their brand, their relationships and industry knowledge along with promotion.

4. They Promote Healthy Long Term Relationships With Their Clients

A quality racking company doesn’t just build a system for a client and disappear. The fact is, a warehouse racking system doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s an ever-changing, evolving system that moves and develops alongside your company’s ever changing needs.

An effective racking company will reach out to you and work to maintain a long term relationship with your company. They will be happy to offer suggestions for ways your current system can adapt to better meet your company’s needs. Long-term goals like maintenance and repair, releveling, tear-down and relocation, and on-going safety assessments are all services a quality racking company will be happy to provide long after their initial installation is complete.

In short: A racking company that wants to keep working with you is a racking company worth keeping.

5. They Value Their Staff

Good companies keep good staff and have good business habits. That’s because they understand that retaining quality talent pays dividends. Good staff mean strong work ethic, quality craftsmanship, diligent adherence to safety, and great customer service. A company is only as good as the staff they employ.

While high turn-over may not be cause for immediate concern with a racking company, a company with a history of strong talent retention is often a sign of quality work, and trusted services.

In short- Good team? Good company.

6. They Generate High Value, Industry Relevant Content

Remember when we talked about social media? It’s one of the most common ways to spread industry knowledge these days. But whether you are using a blog or newsletter, a paper brochure, or hosting a webinar, the fact remains the same: To be a leader, you must lead.

In the racking industry, good companies are looking to spread the word of their leadership, be it by innovation or accomplishment. Often companies are compelled to keep their “industry secrets” to themselves, but effective racking companies transgress this concept. A strongly competitive company wants others in their industry to know about their success, their innovations, and the quality of their work- as it sets the highest industry standards.

In short: A company providing relevant industry thought leadership is a company fashioning themselves as experts in their field. And you want to work with experts.

7. They Are Constantly Looking For Ways To Advance The Industry

A quality racking company isn’t satisfied doing just what is working- they want to do better. A company that is actively investigating new systems, learning and keeping on top of industry trends, and able to step into complicated situations and provide creative solutions, is a company bound for success.

Look for a company that is pushing the boundaries in the industry, and provides creative solutions to problems- this is a company that values growth and adaptability.

In short: A good racking company sees problems, and immediately begins thinking of unique solutions.

8. They Put Their Customers First

We might be tempted to believe that what matters most to a racking company is profit. It would be an understandable conclusion, but any racking company driven solely by the bottom line is misguided. To use a metaphor- a logging company that cares more about cutting down trees than planting new ones, will soon put itself out of business.

In Short: A good racking company cares about one thing – getting their customers the best racking system for them. That will always be their main priority.

9. They Promote And Value Industry Connectivity

An effective racking company is intrinsically interested in their industry. What are current steel prices and what does that mean for their clients? What is the newest racking system innovation? Is there a new material on the market that can save time, money or even be more eco-friendly? A quality racking company values the industry trends, and values connections within that industry. A company attending or hosting an industry event, and looking to strengthen industry connections is a company that can be trusted to lead.

In short: A good company has an active interest in promoting industry relationships and “joining the conversations” of that industry.

Do You Have Good Business Habits to Share?

We’d love to hear them! Drop us a line or leave us a comment to join the conversation!

Looking for a trusted and innovative company with a great team and quality craftsmanship? Drop us a line today for a free quote!

Easy Ways To Boost Employee Morale During Uncertain Times

How to Boost Staff Morale During Lockdown?

It’s no secret that workplace morale and employee happiness are critical for talent retention, and overall workplace health. Happy employees tend to stay at their companies longer, and experience increased productivity. But “how to boost staff morale during lockdown” can seem like a challenging task.

While no company is solely responsible for the entirety of an employees’ mental health and wellness, creating a safe, healthy and, yes- happy- workplace does not only help your staff- it improves your company.

But Boosting Employee Morale Is Expensive!

It’s common for a company to pull it’s purse strings tighter at the notion of investing into the “sunk cost” of employee happiness. Afterall, employee retreats, paid staff lunches, and work perks affect a companys’ bottom line. The common idea being that keeping employees happy is, well, costly.

Do you know what else is costly?

Turn over.

Dollar for dollar, retaining talent is preferable to screening, hiring, training and nurturing an endless stream of new talent that may only end up leaving due to an unhappy working environment.

But Shouldn’t They Be Grateful To JUST BE EMPLOYED?

The opinion above is often reflected by those who are miscalculating the damage done by an unhealthy working environment. Even in a situation where the employee is compelled by circumstance to stay, the effect of happiness on productivity and output can still lead to a negative outcome in the long run.

If you’re finding yourself saying “my employee should be so grateful…” You’re very likely underestimating the cost behind turnover. Further, you may be underestimating the impact that high turnover can have on the talent you are able to retain. Watching colleagues come in and out of the workplace at a high rate can erode a sense of job security.

You see, the same uncertain times that make an employee fearful of leaving, are the same uncertain times that stress out a companies’ bottom line. The game of “chicken” in what comes first- your employee leaves or your conditions improve, has just as much risk to you as it does to your staff.

What Is The Difference Between Employee Morale and Employee Motivation

This is a vital distinction to make in your workplace. Just because an employee is motivated to work, doesn’t mean they have a positive working morale. In short, motivation indicates the drive that compels the employee to work. Morale, on the other hand, refers to the emotional state the employee exists in while they are on the clock.

An employee may be extremely motivated to complete a task, but still be operating under low employee morale. Motivation can be founded in negative emotions, such as fear of being laid off. Motivation can also change based on task, or circumstances, (Think how driven one might be on a Tuesday Morning, verus Monday at 3:30pm).

Morale however, is a low-grade feeling largely driven by the employees sense of value and worth, coupled with the atmosphere within the company. While a company can not be responsible for the entirely of an employees morale, they can be instrumental in creating a workplace where their staff feel valued, appreciated and that, can intrinsically create positive morale.

So Is The Company Responsible For Employee Morale And Happiness?

Glad you asked, as that’s what this post is all about. Let’s break it down:

– Happy employees are essential to productive companies.

– In uncertain times, employees may be more fearful of leaving, but companies may also not have the resources to source, hire and train new staff.

– While a company is not solely responsible for their employees well being, a company is responsible for maintaining a safe and productive work environment, which includes acknowledging the importance of worker happiness.

Then How Can I Improve Employee Morale Without Breaking The Bank?

Good question! Thankfully there are lots of ways to encourage employee morale that cost little to nothing.

At Racked Out, one of the things we are so proud of is our amazing team and incredible morale. Here are some of our tips for building healthy, happier workplaces.

Rethink Your Companies’ Productivity Metrics By Valuing Task Completion Over Time-Management

There is a steadfast (but outdated) idea that time “at your desk” is valuable. The notion of where that desk is has changed in light of many working-from-home during the Pandemic, but the concept remains the same: The more time a person stays “on the clock,” the more productive they must be.

Shifting the mindset here is a cost-effective way to up employee morale. The simple concept being to judge productivity by the tasks completed, not the hours clocked.

Instead of seeing what an employee can do within a given set of hours, give them a manageable set of tasks to complete. Unless their job is locked to a specific time, place and location, the tasks themselves can be done in as much, or as little time as it takes the employee to do them well.

This mindset change allows employees to take control over their own work shift and schedule regarding the tasks they can do by themselves. This newfound agency provides freedom, and moreover, elevates stress for both company and employee alike.

Need time off for a dentist appointment? Need to leave early on a weekday to collect a child from an engagement? The actual hours clocked do not matter, as long as the tasks are completed properly by the assigned deadline.

Use Cost-Effective Forms Of Recognition. And Recognize often.

Work is work. It’s not always fun and games. This is why positive recognition is important for your team. While monetary rewards are often appreciated, they are not the only way to make an employee feel valued. For a job well done, an impressive task completion or an important milestone met, consider some of the following:

A social media shout out
A written message of thanks via an email or handwritten note
A quick verbal compliment in a meeting
A note of positive feedback on the task in question

The basic concept here: The personal touch of acknowledgement builds a positive feedback loop.

Create An Environment Of Acknowledgement In Your Brand

It’s easy to get lost in the idea that your staff are just that- staff. Yet our professional worlds do not exist in a vacuum. Employees have rich lives outside of work. Did your project coordinator just complete their first half-marathon? Is your office manager volunteering at a local charity bake sale? Did your new intern just celebrate a birthday?

There is a valid case for keeping your professional and private worlds separate, but for accomplishments and annual celebrations (think birthdays, work anniversaries, personal accomplishments) a little recognition can go a long way.

Embedding employee recognition into your company, and by extension, your brand, can pay positive dividends in several ways:

– It creates a relaxed, but celebratory atmosphere for your staff.

– It promotes a public persona of a company that sees it’s team as people first

– It attracts the mindset of inclusivity and humanity among your brand as a whole, as well as among your company internally.

How exactly do you celebrate and acknowledge? It can be exceptionally simple. A social media shout out, an internal staff newsletter, or a small gesture, like a card signed from the team, can go a long way.

I’d Love To Give My Employees The Attention They Deserve, But I Just Don’t Have The Time/Money/Resources- HELP!

You are not alone. Even if you are just acknowledging a birthday, or accomplishment in a cost-free manner, there is still the mental load required to plan and organize the additional tasks of celebrating.

Here are some streamlined ways to simplify your staff-acknowledgments:

– Create a “Celebration Calendar” with recurring annual events, such as birthdays, work anniversaries, or major company deadlines worth acknowledging. This will help you figure out where best to spend what resources you are able to provide.

– Consider an employee questionnaire for new hires, asking them the ways they prefer to be acknowledged for their hard work (Gift cards? An afternoon off? A simple verbal acknowledgement?)

– Purchase items, such as cards, in bulk during off seasons (think January) to keep on hand when something worth celebrating comes around. This way you’ll never have to send someone out on their lunch break to pick up a card in a panic.

– Keep a stack of gift cards, ($5, $10, $15, etc) for nearby coffee shops, lunch places, gas stations, etc, that can be handed out in times when monetary acknowledgement is agreeable.

– Consider revolving incentives- for example, the employee of the month or birthday celebrator can choose to either have lunch bought for them or leave work a few hours early on the day of their choice.

What Are Some Of The Ways YOU Boost Your Companies Morale?

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the ways we make people feel valued and important at work. Each company is a unique and complex entity with different needs, structures and supports. Not every type of recognition will work for everyone, or for every company.

Regardless of the shape your initiative takes, fostering higher morale among employees is a great way to encourage loyalty, productivity, positivity and people who love to come to work for you.

Do you have ways to help improve company morale? We’d love to know about them! Drop us a line on one of our social media accounts, or hit us up in the comments!

With love,

Racked Out.

Maximize Your Warehouse Space With Mezzanines!

Mezzanines are the unsung heroes in the warehouse storage world. They offer major benefits to those looking for additional space solutions. They are designed within your existing warehouse facility, creating additional space without the need for relocation.

Racked Out works with Cogan’s Modular systems, which means when you work with us, your mezzanine will have every aspect customized for your needs. Let’s break that down. Or should we say, build it up!

Mezzanines Systems Increase Storage Without Changing The Floorspace Of Your Existing Facility

Mezzanine systems create additional surface area without requiring foundational changes to your existing facility. Additional space is created by installing a new level within your warehouse, maximizes surface area without expanding the ground floor.

With the rising cost of warehousing space, a mezzanine is a great way to maximize your storage in your current location!

Mezzanines Are Cost-Effective And Fast

Anyone with a busy warehouse knows that a booming business is great. Yet busier may mean that your facilities are operating at max capacity, or worse become crowded.

To maximize your growth, you’ll want to keep production humming along. Shutting down productivity to give you time to relocate to a bigger facility may not be a viable option.

Thankfully, mezzanines are cheaper and faster than moving or rebuilding your warehouse. Racked Out works with Cogan’s Modular Mezzanine systems, which can be installed in your current location. You’ll have a trained team maximize your storage in your current warehouse, without tearing down and rebuilding anything.

Cogan Structures And The Racked Out Team Offer End-To-End Convenience

Racked Out works with Cogan, a highly customizable, modular system. These modular components allow for fast configurations and rapid build times, that are designed with your company’s needs in mind.

Racked Out engineers Cogan Mezzanines from the ground up. From design loads, to bracing, to city permits and inspections, every aspect of your mezzanine will be created to your specific needs and handled end-to-end by our team of experts.

Mezzanines With Full Customization

Cogan Mezzanines are extremely customizable. You’ll be able to select the features that work best for your teams’ needs at every steps. This includes options for flooring, staircases, handrails, gating and ladders. From top to bottom, you’ll be able to handcraft the perfect mezzanine solution for you. Additionally, modular designs like this allow for faster build times, and are easier to expand when the time comes for additional growth.

Considering A Mezzanine?

We’d love to hear about it! Check out our amazing MEZZANINE BROCHURE! We bet we can find a solution that would be perfect for your warehouses’ needs. Get in touch with us today for all the details.