What Equipment Do I Need for a Warehouse? A Complete Guide
Setting up a new warehouse can feel like a major task. From storing stock and moving pallets to creating safe working areas, there are many different pieces of equipment to consider.
So, what equipment do you need for a warehouse?
The answer depends on the size of your facility, the products you store and how your operation works. However, most warehouses need a combination of storage, material handling, lifting, workplace and safety equipment to operate efficiently.
This guide explores the essential warehouse equipment to consider when planning a new facility or improving an existing one.
1. Warehouse Racking and Storage Equipment
For most warehouses, storage is the starting point.
The right storage system can help you organise stock, improve accessibility and make better use of the available floor and vertical space.
Depending on your products, your warehouse storage requirements may include:
- Pallet racking
- Industrial shelving
- Bulk storage
- Small parts storage
- Storage bins and containers
- Specialist storage for long or bulky items
When choosing warehouse storage, consider the size and weight of your products, how often they need to be accessed and the equipment used to move them.
A well-planned storage system should support the flow of your operation rather than simply provide somewhere to put stock.
Explore: Warehouse Storage Solutions and Warehouse Racking Installation.
2. Pallet Trucks and Material Handling Equipment
Once goods are stored, you need a practical way to move them around the warehouse.
Material handling equipment is essential for transporting products between receiving, storage, picking, packing and dispatch areas.
Common warehouse equipment includes:
- Manual pallet trucks
- Electric pallet trucks
- Stackers
- Trucks and trolleys
- Platform trolleys
- Roll containers
- Conveyors
The right equipment will depend on the type and weight of goods being moved, the distance they travel and how frequently the task is carried out.
For example, a busy warehouse moving heavy pallets throughout the day may have very different requirements from a small stockroom handling occasional deliveries.
3. Lifting and Positioning Equipment
Some warehouse tasks involve lifting heavy, awkward or bulky items that cannot be safely handled manually.
Lifting and positioning equipment can help support these tasks and make products easier to work with at a suitable height.
Depending on your operation, you may need:
- Scissor lift tables
- Workshop cranes
- Hoists
- Jib cranes
- Lifting platforms
- Work positioners
- Specialist lifting equipment
When selecting lifting equipment, it is important to consider the load being handled and the specific application to ensure the equipment is suitable for the task.
4. Shelving and Equipment for Picking Areas
Efficient picking is an important part of many warehouse operations.
Frequently accessed items should be stored in a way that makes them easy to identify and retrieve. This may involve industrial shelving, picking bins, storage containers and dedicated picking locations.
A well-organised picking area can help:
- Improve access to frequently used products
- Reduce unnecessary movement around the warehouse
- Keep stock organised
- Support a smoother picking process
The right solution will depend on the number of products you stock and how orders are processed.
5. Workbenches and Packing Equipment
Most warehouses need dedicated areas for preparing, packing or assembling products.
A practical packing station may include:
- Industrial workbenches
- Packing benches
- Shelving and storage
- Packaging dispensers
- Strapping equipment
- Weighing equipment
- Waste containers
Creating a dedicated workspace can help keep packing materials and equipment close to where they are needed while improving organisation.
6. Access Equipment
Many warehouses need equipment to safely access stock stored at height or carry out maintenance tasks.
Depending on the application, access equipment may include:
- Steps and step ladders
- Mobile safety steps
- Access platforms
- Access towers
The type of access equipment required will depend on the working height, task and environment. Always ensure equipment is appropriate for the intended use and that relevant safety requirements are considered.
7. Warehouse Safety Equipment
Safety should be considered throughout the warehouse, not added as an afterthought.
The right safety and protection equipment can help create clearer working areas and protect people, stock and infrastructure.
Warehouse safety equipment may include:
- Safety barriers
- Column and racking protection
- Floor markings
- Warning signs
- Pedestrian safety equipment
- Spill control products
- First aid equipment
The equipment required will depend on the risks and activities within your particular workplace.
8. Cleaning and Waste Equipment
A clean and organised warehouse can be easier and safer to work in.
Depending on the size of your facility, you may need equipment for:
- Sweeping and floor cleaning
- Waste collection
- Recycling
- Spill management
- Storage and disposal of workplace waste
Planning these requirements from the beginning can help prevent waste and cleaning areas from taking over valuable operational space.
How Do You Choose the Right Warehouse Equipment?
The best place to start is by looking at how goods move through your warehouse.
Consider the journey from the moment a delivery arrives through to storage, picking, packing and dispatch.
Ask yourself:
What products am I storing?
Consider their size, weight, shape and quantity.
How will goods be moved?
Think about the equipment needed to transport products safely and efficiently.
How frequently will equipment be used?
Daily, high-volume operations may require different solutions from occasional handling tasks.
How much space do I have?
Your available floor area and ceiling height can influence your storage and equipment choices.
Where are the main working areas?
Plan dedicated areas for receiving, storage, picking, packing and dispatch where appropriate.
What are my plans for future growth?
Choosing flexible solutions can make it easier to adapt as your business changes.
Essential Warehouse Equipment Checklist
When planning a warehouse, use this simple checklist as a starting point:
- Warehouse racking or shelving
- Pallet storage solutions
- Pallet trucks or other material handling equipment
- Lifting equipment where required
- Picking and storage equipment
- Workbenches and packing stations
- Packaging and strapping equipment
- Access equipment
- Warehouse safety and protection products
- Cleaning and waste equipment
Not every warehouse will need every item, but this list provides a useful overview of the areas to consider.
Planning a Complete Warehouse
The most effective warehouses are planned as a complete operation rather than a collection of individual products.
Storage affects how goods are handled. Material handling equipment affects the space needed for aisles and working areas. Packing and dispatch requirements influence where stock should be located.
By considering these elements together, businesses can create a warehouse that is more organised and better suited to everyday operations.
Plan → Design → Supply → Install → Protect
Whether you're moving into a new facility, expanding your operation or improving an existing warehouse, taking a complete approach can help you make better decisions from the start.
Action Handling: Equipment for Every Warehouse
At Action Handling, we supply a wide range of equipment for warehouses, factories and workplaces, including material handling, lifting, storage, racking, safety and workplace solutions.
Whether you are looking for a single pallet truck or planning a complete warehouse project, our team can help you explore the equipment available for your requirements.
Need Help Planning Your Warehouse?
If you're asking “What equipment do I need for a warehouse?”, the answer starts with understanding your products, space and operation.
Action Handling can help you explore practical solutions for storing, moving, lifting and managing goods throughout your workplace.
Call: 01279 724989
Email: sales@actionhandling.co.uk
Explore Our Warehouse Solutions
Discover more about our:
- Warehouse & Factory Projects
- Warehouse Racking Installation
- Warehouse Storage Solutions
- Warehouse Fit Out UK
- Warehouse Equipment Suppliers
Plan. Design. Supply. Install. Protect.