Mezzanine floors are semi-permanent floor systems typically installed within buildings, built between two permanent original stories and can be used in ecommerce warehouses to create space. These structures are usually free standing and, in most cases, can be dismantled and relocated.
Traditionally the uses of mezzanine floors are to create extra space for storage, office space, areas for production or in traditional face to face retail for extra sales space.
In Ecommerce, apart from the physical selling space all those potential uses are relevant.
Mezzanine Floors for Storage
This can be for storing boxes, garments, packets, pallets and much more.
A common box used in retail is the BDC (Bulk Distribution Carton) and this is available in 3 standard sizes and 4 metric sizes.
To optimise storage of the BDC box, a longspan shelving system can be used where the beam length, depth of the shelf deck and the pitch of the shelf is designed to store as many boxes per shelving bay as possible whilst allowing for what is known as creep (put 3x boxes side by side and you need more space than 3 x the box width).
Another feature to the BDC Longspan Shelving designed is the design of the drop over mesh deck includes an integral divider that acts as a back stop. This uses a stepped beam with a drop in mesh deck that also has the integral divider.
Garment Hanging System
Utilising one of the most economic shelving systems on the market and using tubular rails rather than shelving beams creates a neat garment storage system for hangers to easily slide up and down the rails as required.
Returns Shelving System
Internet Retailers are often faced with how to handle and store returned items. You can dedicate a specific area on a mezzanine floor to store and rework ore re-package returned goods. The Returns Shelving System is perfect for the storage of returned packets, bags, garments, small boxes etc.
Concessions
A concept used in traditional retail and franchise systems could happen in the ecommerce warehouse world. Established internet retailers setting aside dedicated areas of the warehouse to younger agile growing business that need a marketing budget and can utilise the established distribution infrastructure that can be provided by the larger retailer.
Mezzanine Floors for Additional Offices
Incorporate offices into your warehouse or factory without losing valuable storage or production space. An office mezzanine floor enables you to make use of the vertical space you already have in your premises. This means your business can grow without the expenses associated with moving or extending. Whatever you need office space for, from offices for more on-site staff to use as a control room area or similar within a warehouse, a mezzanine level can be a time and cost-effective way to get the space you need.
Source: Avanta
