Did you know the warehouse sector is expected to amass 655 million feet between now and 2019 because of e-commerce giants like Amazon? Whether your company manages warehouse and fulfillment operations or helps build warehouses, partnering with BigRentz over the next few years will come in handy. As the nation’s largest equipment rental network, we have the equipment you’ll need – when and where you’ll need it.
According to Cushman and Wakefield’s latest North American Industrial Forecast Report, the anticipated absorption of 655 million square feet between now and 2019 is significant and second only to the 833 million square feet seen between 2014 and 2016.
Internet retailers are growing at a rapid pace and are needing more and more industrial space for fulfillment operations. Based on Moody Analytics data, e-commerce made up less than 5% of North American new industrial leases in 2013; today it makes up 22%.
By the end of 2019, 782 million square feet of warehouse space will be available. Developers and owners will be looking to capitalize on the high-growth rent rates and will want to start utilizing the spaces quickly.
With e-commerce on the steady rise and greater demand for warehouse logistics and operations around the corner, anticipating which equipment rentals you’ll need is crucial. With over 8,500 locations nationwide, BigRentz is your one-stop-shop for all your rental needs.
More than 60% of our warehousing and fulfillment customers rent 5,000-pound pneumatic warehouse forklifts. Warehouse forklifts are an everyday necessity for those who manage warehouses, fulfillment centers, and distribution centers. If your work is primarily indoors and you would like to reduce noise, electric forklifts are ideal, as they produce no emissions and are very quiet. They are also lightweight and suitable for areas with weight restrictions. Narrow electric forklifts are useful for going into elevators, as well as maneuvering through small aisles, as are walkie stacker forklifts. Electric forklifts are mainly used for picking up and putting away inventory inside.
If you need to quickly load and unload lots of material, electric pallet jacks work best; sometimes manual pallet jacks are necessary for squeezing into tight spaces. Or if you need higher reach while loading and unloading from indoor storage to outdoor docks, cushion tire warehouse forklifts would be suitable. They require less warehouse space because they don’t need battery-charging stations and less downtime because they don’t need to charge.
If your operations require quite a bit of outdoor work and heavy lifting, you may want to designate a pneumatic tire warehouse forklift solely for outdoor use. In the case of potential tire punctures, you may opt for solid pneumatic tires.
E-commerce warehouse and data center construction is expected to grow 3.7% now through 2019. As this growth occurs, so will the need for the right equipment rentals.
For moving and lifting your building materials, you may benefit from our telehandlers, which range from 19 feet to 55 feet—and everything in between! If you don’t need to reach quite that high, you can use a pneumatic tire industrial forklift. For crossing uneven ground, you would benefit from a rough terrain forklift. Aerial equipment will be necessary to complete the actual work after the materials are in place. Our most requested aerial equipment rentals a 19-foot electric scissor lift and a 45-foot articulating boom lift.
The warehousing industry is rapidly changing. Supply chains are becoming increasingly streamlined to deliver the speed and affordability that modern consumers demand from their shipments. Many consumers want their products within a quick 48 hours, and a growing number are willing to pay the premium for next-day delivery. This can put added strain on the logistics and warehousing industry.
New technologies are helping today’s warehouses meet these demands with solutions like the following:
Reorganizing the supply chain and redefining the role of the warehouse within it is critical for companies to keep up in this highly competitive area. If an online buyer can’t get the desired item quickly and affordably from one company, they can easily click away to another. Third-party logistics services are a prime example of how warehousing is changing. These companies handle shipments and packaging from multiple clients. In this manner, they’re able to bundle shipments for lower transportation costs while satisfying customers who are buying in increasingly smaller quantities.
The warehousing industry is experiencing rapid growth, due in large part to the growth of e-commerce. E-commerce was responsible for just 5 percent of North American leases in 2013 but now accounts for 20 percent of new leases. Rent growth for warehouses is higher than that of any other property type. By the end of 2019, it’s expected that North America will have 782 million square feet of new warehouse space.
Online sales are expected to increase 56 percent between 2015 and 2020, reaching $523 billion. Not only do companies need more warehouse space to fill their orders, but many are carefully situating their warehouses to optimize last-mile shipping. Covering the final leg of the shipping journey is often the most challenging part, as it’s more difficult to bundle orders for that last delivery. Mindful warehouse placement is just one of the strategies in place to make the last mile go smoother.
Third-party logistics (3PL) companies are seeing massive growth as well. This market achieved $802 billion in 2016 and is expected to exceed $1.1 trillion through the end of the 2022 fiscal year. North America had the second-highest revenue for 3PL companies in the world, behind only the Asia Pacific.
Constructing new warehouses is no small feat, as the buildings have distinct and demanding requirements. Warehouses typically need ceiling clearance of 36 to 40 feet and floors with an enhanced load-bearing capacity to accommodate the tall, heavy mezzanines that are constructed inside. Massive air conditioners sit on the rooftops to maintain a climate-controlled area beneath. Sizable loading docks must surround the warehouse, and additional space is needed nearby for employee parking.
One solution to the gigantic footprint of the traditional warehouse comes in the form of multi-story warehouses. These are popular in China and Japan, where delivery trucks are smaller and easily equipped to navigate several stories for pickup and delivery of goods. However, the trend is taking hold in the United States too, with projects in Seattle and San Francisco for this type of construction.
These new warehouse spaces will require an abundance of detail-oriented workers and durable warehouse equipment to become operational. Rental scissor lifts and boom lifts are one quick solution that can get companies off the ground fast.
The warehousing industry is heavily impacted by seasonality. When a particular product is in high demand, the warehouse will feel the pressure. The holiday season is the most obvious time for warehouses to experience this type of stress. However, this is far from the only time when you may have an added rush of orders due to seasonality. Trends vary by industry. Office supplies are in high demand during the back-to-school season, and outdoor recreation sees a surge of interest in the summer.
Warehouses should know the peak seasons for their products and prepare according. As peak season approaches, you may need to invest in more rental equipment to meet demands. In the weeks leading up to the rush, warehouse managers should begin moving inventory to make space for seasonal items. Revisit picking strategies and streamline these for the upcoming challenges. Adjust picking paths for better efficiency and review proper procedures before the rush hits, so you’re prepared to handle whatever lies ahead.
Warehouses have several critical equipment needs. For any type of large equipment, it’s essential that companies hire well-trained employees. Even a seemingly simple piece of equipment like a scissor lift can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Always follow OSHA safety and training standards when preparing employees to work on or around warehouse equipment.
Lift equipment is a necessary feature in any warehouse with tall shelving. Scissor lifts are the most common and affordable solution in this type of setting. A scissor lift features a large platform that several workers can stand on at once. It moves individuals directly upward and must sit on flat, stable ground in front of the area that’s being accessed.
Forklifts and material handlers are also important in this setting. A warehouse forklift is designed for the distinct needs of your warehouse, with cushion tires for the interior floors, and a lift capacity of up to 20,000 pounds. Warehouse forklifts with a capacity of 25,000 pounds are available with pneumatic tires. These forklifts can efficiently lift and move pallets from your shelving, so your employees can quickly stock your shelves and pull items for shipment.
With the recent and ongoing growth in the e-commerce industry, this is a great time to be in warehousing. Top retailers like Amazon are rapidly building new facilities, and job opportunities are strong for those who want a place in this critical market. Warehouses are at the heart of the e-commerce surge, delivering the goods that customers can order with a click in record time. With the right equipment and strategies in place, you can make your warehouse an efficient powerhouse.
