For many businesses, the need for additional storage space can arise quickly. A growing order book, a site move, new equipment or simply running out of warehouse space can all create the same question: where are we going to put everything?
Shipping and storage containers can provide a practical and flexible solution, but choosing the right container involves more than simply deciding between a 20ft and 40ft unit.
Start with what you need the space to do
The first consideration should always be how the container will be used. Is it purely for secure storage, will staff need regular access, or does it need to become a more functional working space?
Greenwell supplies containers ranging from compact 6ft units through to 40ft containers, including high-cube and full side-access options. Containers can also be modified with personnel doors, lighting, heating, lining and other features depending on their intended use.
Think about access as well as space
It is easy to concentrate on how much can fit inside a container and overlook how items will actually get in and out.
For businesses accessing stock regularly, door position and accessibility can make a significant difference. A side-access container, for example, can provide much easier access to different areas of stored stock than a traditional end-opening container.
The site itself also needs to be considered. Vehicle access, ground conditions and the final position of the container should ideally be reviewed before delivery rather than once the container arrives.
Look at the bigger picture
A container can also form part of a wider site or storage plan. Greenwell's four divisions cover containers, pallet racking and shelving, office furniture, and cabins and modular buildings, allowing the team to look beyond an individual product and consider how the overall space needs to work.
With Greenwell approaching 30 years in business, the company's advice remains straightforward: plan the space first and choose the product second.
As Greenwell Director Scott Brown explains: “Sometimes a customer knows exactly what they want, but often they simply know they need more space. That's where talking through how the space will actually be used can make a big difference.”
Advise. Plan. Supply. Install. It is a simple approach, but one that can turn a steel box into a space that genuinely works for the business.