2021 has been a busy year for Prodek design and storage systems. Operations manager Ben Ellis tells unLTD how the rise of e-commerce has forced distributors to rethink how they extract maximum revenue per square metre.
“It’s been one of the busiest 12 months Prodek has seen in its 28-year history. Demand for our storage design and installation services has been unprecedented. Of course, the whole team is relieved and delighted to have made it through the last year with a consistently healthy order book,” said Ben.
Growth in the UK e-commerce sector shows no signs of slowing. The expanding sector is driving demand for new warehouse fit-outs and redesigning storage in existing premises. The aim is to eke out maximum profit from every inch of warehouse capacity.
“Warehousing is expensive and the demands that multichannel selling place on distribution has been the catalyst for a complete rethink of warehouse operations,” explained Ben.
Prodek design and install a comprehensive range of commercial and industrial storage solutions. From warehouse racking and mezzanine floors to office partitions and refurbishments, Prodek offer a one-stop-shop to any business redefining how they use their premises.
“The demand for our services is not just because we offer superb products and a team of highly skilled engineers. Our clients also prefer the speed and ease of dealing with a single contractor. It can cut a project completion time in half.”
Prodek designers and engineers have completed a series of impressive, large-scale installations during 2021. One service in high demand is their Made in Sheffield mezzanine floors.
“The beauty of a mezzanine installation is that we create one or two additional floors within a warehouse or manufacturing plant, complete with racking and office space, whatever the client wants the extra space for.”
Prodek mezzanines are popping up in warehouses across Sheffield City Region, and beyond, in addition to some well-known Sheffield gyms and chocolatiers. Built as a freestanding structure, mezzanines are installed as a single or multi-tier structure, able to support a phenomenal mass of machinery and stock.
“Our engineers are regulars at Gripple and Loadhog. Both companies are known for their forward-thinking approach, and they certainly understand the value of well-designed, fully utilised space.”
Pallet racking is never out of demand for Prodek, and 2021 has seen a sharp rise in demand for adjustable and drive-in pallet racking. Loadhog have experienced phenomenal growth over the past three years, requiring expertly designed, perfect-fit storage to support their international distribution operation.
“When our engineers make a site visit, the aim is to gain a deep understanding of how a business operates now, and its future infrastructure needs. We get the full backstage tour from some of the region’s most successful businesses – storage can be a lot more exciting than you might think!”
Another growing sector Prodek have been busy transforming, is the vehicle reclamation and green parts industry. Widely considered to be a more sustainable supply chain in the car repair industry, vehicle recyclers need specialist, heavy-duty storage to meet the demands of their growing sector.
“CarRax is our flagship Made in Sheffield product and designed specifically for vehicle recyclers. It’s another product which takes stock off the ground and makes full use of vertical storage space, which is frequently underutilised.”
A CarRax installation is an impressive sight. They can be spotted in and around South Yorkshire; towering cantilever structures supporting five cars on each side. Many of Prodek’s latest CarRax projects have been installed within a warehouse, rather than the traditional outdoor storage yard.
“Vehicle recyclers, known as breakers, run demanding e-commerce operations. We have constructed indoor storage facilities to house over 1,000 premium vehicles, completely filling a warehouse to the rafters.”
The challenge for a vehicle recycler is to maintain the quality of their vast quantities of stocks, while facilitating fast and efficient stock handling.
A car door panel ordered by a bodyshop for a repair job, for instance, will need to be delivered on a next day service and be received in as close to pristine condition as possible. Any unexpected damage to the panel results in several hours of additional work for the bodyshop, additional cost, and a delay for the car owner.
It seems that for Prodek, demands for intelligent storage solutions are universal. When a sector experiences growth, storage demands grow. When a sector sees a downturn, the need to maximise existing premises and revenue per square metre, grows too.
Ben concluded: “We have had a phenomenal year. Whether we are supporting the expansion of a growth sector or improving the storage capabilities of a steady sector, like timber merchants, the demand for our services shows no signs of slowing. We are very fortunate to be in this position.”