Storing manufactured products and agricultural produce before transporting them to consuming points is a work. For many people, a warehouse is just a storage point but from an experts perspective, it is a complex process in which, warehouse construction cost, safe storage, material handling compatibility and owning all play a major role. Not all produce can be stored in a similar building. For example a cold storage warehouse will need a lower ceiling, while a warehouse for process machinery may require taller vertical space.

There is still some equipment such as electric transformers and earth-moving equipment that may require an open yard with fuelling facilities. Open yard doesn’t mean lesser complexity; it has its own complex nuances.

Warehousing as a Business Service

Large manufacturing and supply-chain businesses have their own warehouses but smaller operators usually use warehousing businesses for stocking and distribution of their products. Warehouses that offer warehousing as a service are much preferred even by big manufacturing companies and merchants because it is comparatively cheaper than a and maintaining a warehouse on their own.

In the warehousing as a service business model, users pay warehouse operators for what they use which is based on multiple criteria. It can be for the space used, the time for which it is used and any additional services that the operator provides. For example an agricultural-produce company in North Karnataka and South Maharashtra where agriculture is a dominant activity, merchants will want the operator to provide special protection from rodents and a food storage business may want a cold storage along with packing facilities.

Operating a warehouse is no mean job and requires warehouse building design that is compatible with potential customers’ expectations.

Constructing a Warehouse – Criteria to Consider

1. Warehouse construction cost: The profitability of a warehouse is mostly dependent on the construction cost. If the expenditures on construction is high then the rate of return (ROI) will come down drastically and may even become unviable. For good returns keep warehouse construction cost at its minimum through prudent selection of the type of construction. It is normal for operators to closely examine the “warehouse construction cost per square foot” criteria before deciding the building type.
2. Cold storage warehouse construction: Cold storages once used to be all-concrete structures, but are fast shifting to pre-engineered steel buildings due to the minimised construction cost and quicker project implementation time frame. This means operators can start to deliver services faster and more effectively.
3. Warehouse construction plan: A proper plan is critical for implementing a warehousing project and the type of warehouse construction materials that you propose to use will decide the final outcome.
4. Location of warehouse is important: Constructing a warehouse in some remote location with little or no good roads, railroad connectivity, international airports or harbour can lead to poor patronage and will consequently reflect in profitability. A few places to consider for providing a warehouse as a service include Belgaum in Karnataka and Goa where warehousing as a service has a big demand.

The Rise of Pre-engineered Steel Building in Warehouse Construction

Steel buildings are much preferred over normal buildings for the simple reason that concrete warehouse construction costs are higher without any proportionate advantage. Pre-engineered metal building manufacturers offer prices that are unbeatable as compared with normal buildings contractors.

Here are few other reasons besides costs that pre-engineered metal building manufacturers offer their customers.

1. Projects are completed faster bringing down the gestation time. Normal buildings take longer than usual to construct and project delays are normal when there is to warehouse shortage of critical materials like sand for example.
2. Higher lifetime for structures with better aesthetic appeal. Normal buildings that use concrete have design limitations and cannot be shaped like steel. This means compromising on good looks.
3. More design options to choose – all readymade offers. Normal buildings require that you conscript the services of architects. Whereas steel buildings are pre-designed, tried and tested.
4. Lower maintenance costs as compared to normal cement concrete construction.
5. More plinth area for same price.
6. Fewer columns within the building interior provide flexibility in moving material handling equipment.