Warehouse Types

What types of warehouses are there?

In the world of logistics, the storage of resources plays a crucial role. However, it is of great importance to note that each resource has individual storage requirements. For this reason, there are diverse types of storage that meet specific needs. Resources that need to be stored include raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products.

Why is the right choice of warehouse type important?

Choosing the right type of warehouse is of enormous importance. There are different classification methods for warehouse types that meet different storage requirements. In this context, four primary storage types can be identified: functionality, location, storage technology used and degree of automation within the warehouse.

What are the different types of warehouses?

• Distribution warehouse: The function of a distribution warehouse is to store products before they are delivered to the end customer. It is the last warehouse before distribution and is therefore often referred to as a distribution warehouse. These warehouses are positioned to be as close to the customer as possible and to meet the needs of a region. The positioning helps to shorten delivery times and save costs by requiring fewer trucks and drivers and allowing drivers to deliver more goods in less time. To increase efficiency, the products most in demand are usually stocked.
  
  
• Transit warehouse (transshipment warehouse/cross docking center): The transit warehouse is often referred to as a transshipment warehouse. It has the task of loading goods from one means of transport onto another in order to forward them to another warehouse. The main characteristic of the transit warehouse is that the goods are not stored for a long time, but are only picked up briefly and then distributed further. A classic example of the use of transit warehouses is the food industry and supermarket chains. Products are delivered to a transit warehouse and from there distributed to the various distribution warehouses in the region.
  
  
• Procurement and production warehouse: They are often used in just-in-time production to produce or store the required resources if they cannot be used directly. These warehouses are usually placed directly at the production site to shorten delivery time and better manage bottlenecks. To optimise this process, these warehouses are often directly connected to production, allowing plate conveyor systems to move resources just-in-time to the production line.
  
  
• The picking warehouse has the task of storing the stored goods in such a way that they can be reached by the pickers at any time without having to remove other goods. This enables a faster flow of goods and the work of robots that can access the goods more easily.
  
  
• Stock warehouses have the primary purpose of balancing out fluctuations in demand and thus ensuring a continuous supply. Especially in the case of long delivery times, they are an important measure to avoid delays or bottlenecks. In addition, stockpiles play a significant role for seasonal products, such as fashion for specific seasons or Christmas items. These are produced during the year and then sold at the appropriate season.
  
  
• Flat warehouses are ground level storage areas up to 8 meters high, which have no floors and store goods on horizontal levels on racks or pallets. They are particularly suitable for bulky or special goods. Advantages of flat storage are space savings, easy access, lower costs and flexibility. Disadvantages include limited storage capacity and the need for a flat floor surface. Flat warehouses are also used to store bulk materials such as coal, ore or grain and require more floor space compared to high silos, but are less expensive.
  
  
• Long goods warehouse: A type of warehouse that specialises in long goods or materials such as pipes, bars, profiles and plates is called a long goods warehouse. Conventional racking or pallet storage cannot be used due to the length of these materials. Special racking systems or supports, which can be arranged horizontally or vertically, are a characteristic feature of long goods warehouses. These racks can also be equipped with cranes or other lifting devices to facilitate the storage and retrieval of materials. To ensure smooth storage and retrieval, efficient organisation and labelling of the long materials is of great importance. Inventory systems such as barcode scanners or labels can be helpful here. Long goods storage systems are often used in industries such as metal, wood or construction as well as in the logistics sector. The special storage allows long materials to be stored safely and in a space-saving manner, increasing efficiency in material handling and warehouse operations.
  
  
• The tiered warehouse is a form of storage in which the available space is utilised by dividing it vertically into several levels. Similar to a multi-storey building, each floor provides an independent storage area equipped with racks, pallet spaces or other storage structures. The advantage is the optimal use of limited land space, especially in urban or densely populated areas. Companies can store more goods in a limited space and increase their storage capacity. Floor warehouses are often used in the logistics and distribution industry to manage storage needs more efficiently. With better organisation and partitioning, goods can be stored by product type, size or other categories on the different levels. This facilitates access to the stored goods and improves picking and shipping efficiency. In summary, a tiered warehouse is a multi-level warehouse that uses available space vertically to maximise storage capacity and improve efficiency in the storage and distribution of goods.
  
  
• An outdoor warehouse serves as a temporary storage facility for goods outdoors and can house different types of goods, such as raw materials, semi-finished products and finished goods. It is often used in the logistics industry and set up in suitable locations such as construction sites, ports or railway stations. However, it is important to note that outdoor storage can be exposed to environmental influences such as weather, temperature fluctuations or humidity. Therefore, the goods must be protected accordingly and kept from damage. Depending on the type of goods stored, additional measures may be taken to ensure their integrity, such as covering them with tarpaulins or stacking them on pallets. The term "outdoor storage" can also be used figuratively to refer to a warehouse that is protected but still outside a regular building, such as temporary storage areas.

What requirements do different types of warehouses have to meet?

The requirements for a warehouse vary depending on the type of company and its needs. It is therefore essential to consider the individual needs and requirements of the company in order to create an efficient warehouse.

However, there are requirements that every warehouse should meet:

1. Security: Warehouses must be protected against theft, burglary and unauthorised access.
   
   
2. Inventory management systems: Effective systems can control and monitor usage to increase efficiency.
   
   
3. Size and layout: The warehouse should be sized appropriately so that there is enough space but also not too much wasted space.
   
   
4. Shelving and equipment: The warehouse should have suitable shelving to store the goods in a space-saving and safe way.
   
   
5. Cleanliness and hygiene: The warehouse should be kept clean to avoid damage to the stored goods and to create a pleasant workplace.
   
   
6. Logistics: The warehouse should be easily accessible.

For distribution warehouses, it is advantageous to be planned geographically so that they are close to the end user and can cover a certain area. Transshipment warehouses should have good connections to the road network to speed up transshipment.

What advantages and features do different types of warehouses have to offer?

Each type of warehouse has its own advantages and features that are optimally geared to its function. The transshipment warehouse, for example, is geared towards fast turnover of goods and thus ensures fast and uncomplicated order picking thanks to direct access to the stored goods. The procurement warehouse, on the other hand, is located in the immediate vicinity of the production line and thus minimises the delivery routes between the two. The stock warehouse, on the other hand, is primarily used to store goods in order to avoid bottlenecks in the supply chain. Thanks to the specific adaptation of each type of warehouse, smooth and efficient goods management is thus guaranteed.

Which warehouse types are suitable for different sectors?

In the automotive and industrial sectors, procurement warehouses and stock warehouses play a particularly important role. Procurement warehouses serve to shorten the supply chain and save time and money. Stock warehouses, on the other hand, enable a quick reaction to supply bottlenecks of suppliers or to fluctuating demand. In the food industry, on the other hand, transshipment warehouses or cross docking centers are often used. Here, the food is delivered from the supplier to the warehouse and from there distributed to the various distribution warehouses before it then reaches the individual shops. E-Commerce companies, on the other hand, often rely on distribution warehouses in order to be able to quickly meet the high demand for products. Seasonal products are also stocked in distribution warehouses in order to have sufficient stock at the beginning of the season, provided they are not perishable.

How to find the best type of warehouse for your business?

When looking for the best type of warehouse for your business, you should take your time and make a thorough selection. In doing so, it is of great importance to be clear about the goal of the storage. Because experts agree: storage can interrupt the value chain - whether intentionally or unintentionally. For this reason, one should weigh up at which point in the value chain such an interruption makes sense, how long it should last and whether it is wanted at all. The goal is to find the optimal balance between storage and value creation in order to maximise the efficiency and profitability of the company.