The Material Handling Blog | UniCarriers Europe | UK

Cold store: What is the best choice of storage system?

Written by Bengt Kristiansson | 2018-10-04

 

Cold stores are some of the most challenging environments that forklifts can operate in — temperatures as cold as -35°C are not unusual in these facilities, which are an absolutely vital part of the modern supply chain.

In these sub-zero conditions, steel can become more brittle, condensation can cause problems for a truck's mechanics, and operators must either wear insulating clothing or be protected inside heated cabins for their safety.

One of the biggest issues, however, is the cost involved with keeping the large area of the store colder than the North Pole. A lot of power can be needed to maintain the low temperature, and that's why it's important to maximise storage space as much as possible. This allows you to store more unit loads in a smaller space, and reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the store at these very low temperatures.

But what type of storage system allows for the densest storage? There are many options available, but the best system needs to offer a good mix of density and accessibility to the goods, since increasing the time needed for handling can also cause costs to rise.

If you're interested in discovering more which storage systems can be good choices for a cold store, then click the button below to get our guide, How to keep your trucks running efficiently in cold store operationsThe free guide also has information about optimising truck performance and avoiding condensation in these tough environments.