[PT] Warehouse retrofit: what it is and how to do it

From time to time, changing equipment and reorganising the warehouse is a necessary task in order to modernise it or adapt it to new conditions or technological needs. Have you heard of the term retrofit? By applying this system, you can bring your warehouse up to date with new market conditions.

What is retrofit?
The retrofit concept consists of modernising facilities and infrastructures that have become obsolete, updating them to improve their efficiency and adapting them to the new demands and needs of the market or customers. This investment applies to different categories, since it can involve storage systems, mechanical, electrical and electronic components or software.

How to apply retrofitting in the warehouse?
In order to design the warehouse of the future, retrofitting implies an upgrade through the incorporation of new technologies that involve updating storage systems or investing in automated solutions. These changes aim to improve the infrastructure to meet current energy efficiency and safety standards and optimise the supply chain. In order to apply the retrofit, the existing structure of the facilities must be respected, taking into account the usual storage, distribution and transport areas.

Steps for your retrofit project
Before retrofitting a warehouse, it’s important to plan carefully so that the change is a success:

1. Pre-evaluation. Before you start, it’s essential to analyse the state of the warehouse and identify the areas that need improvement. Bear in mind that not all warehouses are the same and that there are different types of warehouse.
2. Set objectives. Set goals: do you want to increase storage space? do you want to update the software? do you want to improve energy efficiency?
3. Do some research. Gather information on the technologies or systems that best suit your project before making a decision.
4. Design. Once you have the necessary information and have decided on the changes and components needed for your warehouse, proceed to design the action plan. Shelving and warehouse equipment are ideal for equipping your premises and maintenance and load transport products will make it easier to move the contents of the warehouse.
5. Implementation. With the previous steps clear, implement your project to apply it to your warehouse. However, take care to minimise disruption to your operations or activities and effectively coordinate the departments involved.
6. Final evaluation. The last step will allow you to study whether you have achieved your objectives or whether you can still find possible improvements to make adjustments to this update.

Advantages of retrofitting your warehouse
Retrofitting your warehouse has a number of advantages:

• Cost savings. The investment in upgrading an existing warehouse is lower than equipping or building a warehouse from scratch. What’s more, the new components are generally more efficient and require less maintenance.
• Increased efficiency. The use of new technologies applied to automated systems, artificial intelligence or up-to-date software will improve logistics in the search, preparation and dispatch of orders. This means a reduction in errors and, consequently, an increase in productivity. Packaging systems and machines, such as box sealing machines or pallet wrapping machines, simplify tasks in the logistics chain.
• Better utilisation of the warehouse. These modifications optimise the use of space, making it possible to have a greater number of products and references.
• Greater security. Both physical and digital. By renovating the facilities, employees will be able to carry out their work in a safer environment, avoiding possible musculoskeletal injuries. In addition, checking that you have the latest software versions is a method of strengthening cybersecurity.
• Sustainable commitment. Adapting facilities to reduce energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint is an eco-responsible attitude.
• Adapting to change. Companies and clients are always putting forward new needs and demands. This practice is a sign of flexibility in the face of new challenges and confirmation that your company is up to date.

At RAJA we are flexible and know how to adapt to all the changes, focusing on modernising our facilities and investing in eco-responsible behaviour. If you need advice on updating and renovating your warehouse, our experts will guide you to find the solutions that best suit the future of your business. Trust RAJA and your warehouse will be as good as new!