To compete for tenants, many warehouse providers offer extra perks. These added features make rentable small warehouse spaces more functional, allow for more effective use of the space, and enable better business operations.
Don’t Get Stuck With Bottom-of-the-Barrel Warehouse Providers
During the first two quarters of 2022, the warehouse industry experienced supply shortages amid rising demand. Rentable small warehouse spaces became scarce as vacancies across the country reached a record low of 3.9%. However, those numbers are on the rise. As more space becomes available from new warehouse construction, businesses will once again have options.Â
Features Every Small Warehouse Space Should Have
Finding the best small warehouse space means choosing a place that is feature-rich. Your provider should include on-site amenities, the latest technology, adequate space for growth, and an efficient layout.
On-Site Amenities
Look for small warehouse spaces that offer free amenities — as in they’re already bundled into your rent price. Don’t pay extra for add-on features that come complementary with some warehouses.
The most useful on-site amenities include tools for moving products. Loading docks, industrial racking, and warehouse equipment makes it super easy to receive, move, and store their goods.
Other amenities provide operational support. Most businesses need a place for conducting administrative tasks, so make sure your small warehouse space offers conference rooms, lounges, and kitchens for collaboration and comfort.
Practical amenities support the protection of products stored in the warehouse. On-site security and limited access to individual warehouse units prevent the theft of goods from the facility.
Shared small warehouse spaces should also have management available to address any concerns or questions tenants may have.
Updated Technology
Rentable warehouse spaces that make the latest technology freely accessible are more desirable than antiquated spaces without tech perks. Whatever small warehouse space you choose should, at the bare minimum, include secure wi-fi. Secure internet access allows business owners to track sales and connect with customers across multiple devices.
Most warehouses also have other tech on hand, like network-connected scanners that integrate with Warehouse management systems (WMS) to track inventory in real time. Putting scannable barcodes on products keeps inventory counts updated effortlessly. The WMS can even automatically reorder items when inventory levels drop below a set value.
Room for Growth
Moving from a home-based business to a small warehouse space is the first step to expanding your company. Most rentable warehouse spaces provide options for growth by offering several storage size options — for startups, growing businesses, and more.
Changes in operations may require a business to move up or down in the amount of warehouse space rented. Your provider should offer the flexibility for you to do this with short-term contracts.Â
Efficient Interior and Exterior Layout
The interior and exterior layout of the warehouse should supply efficient movement of people and products. Outside, the loading dock area should allow shipping trucks to comfortably reach it. The area around the loading docks should include space for trucks to turn around, back into the docks, and pull out of the area, even when other trucks are present. Proximity to major highways is another desirable feature as it reduces shipping times.
Inside the warehouse, tenants should have easy access to the loading dock area for sending out products or picking up shipments. Warehouse equipment at the dock eases the movement of boxes or pallets from the docking area to the tenants’ storage spaces.
Floor plans inside the warehouse spaces depend on the items stored and the size of the space. Small warehouse spaces with racking should have enough room for people using material handling equipment to move comfortably and safely. The ideal layout of a small warehouse space is one in which the time needed to stock items or to pick products off the shelves is at a minimum.
Improve Your Operations with the Right Small Warehouse Space to Rent
Whether your business needs access to loading docks, industrial-grade racking, conference rooms, or 24/7 security on-site, you’ll find it all at WareSpace. Every one of our small warehouse spaces have all the same amenities, giving small and large businesses the tools that they need to succeed. Is your business ready for full-featured small storage space?