Five key points to finding the perfect logistics and industrial space
Whether you’re looking for a warehouse or a building to house your manufacturing operations (or both), there’s a bit more to finding industrial space than there is to finding office space. Here are five key points to keep in mind when searching for your new storage or production facility.
- Dimensions
There’s more to picking the right industrial space than calculating how many square meters (or feet) you’ll need. Ceiling height is of key importance to any industrial space because it means you can think in volume (the actual space you’ll have available) instead of square meters. In addition to this: take your time to examine the loading dock and take measurements should the landlord fail to provide them. This area needs to be large enough to allow for easy loading and unloading and be accessible to transport vehicles. At any rate, you should be looking at all the dimensions. Not just the height and width of the main structure, but also at the height and width of doorways and hallways, because they are key in ensuring that products and materials can easily flow through the facility.
- Regulations
If the location you’re looking for is in another country, or even just in a different administrative area, please don’t assume that the landlord knows all the local regulations and what kind of operations can take place in their industrial building. Call the local government and double-check the laws and regulations that are in place. You’re taking a big risk if you don’t.
- Safety
Safety should always be a top priority. Ask the landlord what security systems are in place. What type of fire suppression system is there, and what type of alarm? Is there camera surveillance? Check if there’s a security firm that guards the area. Is there some sort of flood protection? Safety can never be an afterthought.
- Team morale
Try looking at the location and property from your team’s perspective. Changing locations can have a big impact on a team and in this day and age, we all know how important it is to keep up the morale of the people that operate the facility. Especially with the current shortage of qualified labor. Calculate how long the average commute will be to see how changing locations impacts your team’s family life. Check if there is enough parking space and if there are supermarkets or diners nearby. These points are vital in ensuring your new location does not increase employee turnover or has a negative effect on team morale.
- Fit for the future
You need additional space now, or at least in the near future. But what do you currently know about your future needs? How likely is it that this building still meets your space demands over the duration of the lease? Is your company likely to expand its lines of business? And how much maintenance or repair work may be needed? Capital expenditures are oftentimes passed along to tenants. These are all things to consider if you want your operation to truly be fit for the future.
An interesting alternative
In some cases, it may be wise to look beyond existing buildings. When? Well, especially when you’re not entirely sure whether or not the best location you’ve found can continue to meet your space demands over the next 5 to 10 years. Did you know that Losberger De Boer can deliver a fully functional warehouse or production facility within weeks? And that said facility will be designed and constructed to meet all your wishes, from the length, width, and height to the size of the loading doors? Losberger De Boer is a leading global supplier of industrial space. All its products are engineered, designed and produced in Germany and all of them are modular. This means that your new warehouse, storage space or production facility can easily be scaled up and down, offering you unlimited flexibility so that you always have the right amount of space available.
In terms of wind- and snow load, Losberger De Boer’s halls adhere to the strictest safety regulations (as defined in the Eurocode standard), ensuring the continuity of your business and the safety of your workers under any circumstances. Properly maintained, these facilities can be used for decades.
Losberger De Boer halls can be equipped with a mezzanine floor, to maximize the amount of space available. These bespoke space solutions can be delivered turnkey, including lighting, climate control and sanitation.
Want to know more about Losberger De Boer’s industrial solutions? Then please contact us. Tell us your needs and we’ll work with you to create the best possible facility for your business.
