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What types of warehouses exist and what are their characteristics?

Nowadays when we think of a warehouse we usually think of logistics distribution, a growing activity thanks to the e-commerce boom. However, there are different types of warehouses with different purposes, either because they are used in the logistics sector, for the production or import-export industry, or even because they are used to store very specific types of goods. So, what types of warehouses can we find?

Types of warehouses according to their logistical function

Types of warehouses can be classified according to their logistics function, i.e. based on their purpose within the supply chain. Below, we will look at the different types of warehouses that fall into this category:

Supply warehouse

The main purpose of the supply warehouse is to store the raw materials necessary to supply the production process of a product. These warehouses are usually located close to the factory they serve, which allows for a rapid replenishment of materials. In addition, they are characterised by a high stock turnover, as their function is to guarantee that the necessary materials are always available to keep production running.

Distribution warehouse

This is one of the most common uses, since it is a warehouse for the storage of products and goods to be distributed. Logistics warehouses fall into this typology. Although their characteristics may vary depending on the company and its sector, in general they usually have a strategic location, i.e. near ports or airports and main communication routes to facilitate the distribution network, or close to the destination of the goods in the case of urban warehouses.

Another factor that most distribution warehouses tend to have in common is the use of technologies such as a warehouse management system or WMS, which not only optimizes daily management, but also allows them to communicate with other supply chain partners to receive and send information on the status of orders and goods in real time. Storage capacity and type of infrastructure are the factors that can vary the most. Within the so-called distribution warehouses, there are also several subcategories that deserve to be mentioned separately.

Regional warehouse

The regional warehouse is located close to the point of consumption or the end customer, with the aim of guaranteeing a rapid supply and distribution of products in the face of the huge increase in e-commerce. These warehouses usually have a large storage capacity, as they must cover the demand of different customers or points of sale. In addition, they are characterised by efficient inventory and logistics management systems, which allows for a rapid response to customer needs.

Transit Warehouse

The transit warehouse plays an intermediate role in the supply chain, and its location is between the central warehouse and the regional warehouse. These warehouses are used as a transit point or grouping of goods with the same destination. Their main objective is to facilitate the efficient distribution of products, optimising transport times and costs. In addition, they usually have control and monitoring systems to guarantee a constant and agile flow of products.

Seasonal storage

The seasonal warehouse focuses on the storage of seasonal or seasonal consumer products, the demand for which varies at specific times. These warehouses ensure that they have sufficient stock to meet demand at the times of greatest demand, avoiding possible shortages or delays in distribution. In addition, they usually have planning and inventory management systems that allow them to foresee and anticipate demand peaks.

Indoor storage

The indoor warehouse is characterised by storing the goods under a roof, protecting them from inclement weather. These warehouses are used to guarantee the preservation and safety of the stored products, especially those that are sensitive to adverse environmental conditions. They usually have adequate temperature control, lighting and ventilation systems, as well as shelving and load handling equipment that allow for efficient organisation.

Outdoor warehouse

In contrast to indoor warehouses, outdoor warehouses are used to store goods outdoors within a marked enclosure. These warehouses are common in open spaces such as loading yards, where products that do not require special protection against weather conditions are stored. They usually have designated areas for storage and handling, as well as security systems to ensure the integrity of the goods.

Retail distribution warehouse

In itself, it would be a sub-type of distribution warehouse, but focused on retailers who store and distribute products to their physical or online shops. Although it is a distribution warehouse, its size and location characteristics differentiate it from wholesale distribution or logistics warehouses. They are usually close to physical distribution shops or urban centres, to facilitate fast and efficient distribution of orders to the end customer.

Types of warehouses according to their degree of mechanisation

Conventional warehouses

Conventional warehouses are those with a low level of automation in their processes. They use metal racking and forklift trucks for the handling and movement of goods. This type of warehouse is characterised by being flexible and adaptable to different types of products and volumes. Goods are handled manually or using basic loading and unloading equipment. It is rare to find logistics management programmes in these warehouses. If you are still not clear about what a WMS is, we recommend you read the article. Some of the outstanding characteristics of conventional warehouses are:

  • Low investment in technology: These warehouses do not require a large investment in advanced automation systems, which makes them a more economical option.
  • Versatility in storage: Thanks to their flexible structure, conventional warehouses can store different types of products, from small items to larger pallets.
  • Customisation: Because they are not constrained by automated systems, conventional warehouses offer the possibility of adapting the space to the specific needs of the company.

Smart warehouses

Smart warehouses are characterised by a high level of mechanisation and use advanced storage and goods handling systems. These systems include stacker cranes for pallets or miniloads, which are automated robots that are responsible for loading, unloading and locating products in the warehouse. The main characteristics of smart warehouses are:

  • High efficiency and speed: The automation of processes allows for greater agility in storage and distribution operations, reducing response times and improving management efficiency.
  • Increased storage capacity: Smart warehouses make optimal and efficient use of available space, allowing for greater storage capacity compared to conventional warehouses.
  • Error reduction: Process automation minimises human error, which increases accuracy in inventory management and reduces lead times in order picking.

Types of warehouses according to the type of goods stored

Refrigerated warehouse

Cold stores are those designed for the storage of goods that require temperature-controlled conditions. They are widely used for perishable products such as fresh food, frozen products or medicines that need to be kept at a specific temperature to preserve their quality and prolong their shelf life.

The main characteristics of cold stores are:

  • Specialised infrastructure with refrigeration and freezing systems
  • Efficient thermal insulation to maintain the right temperature
  • Specific equipment such as cold stores, freezers and thermographs
  • Constant temperature control and monitoring
  • Food safety and health compliance

Warehouses for medicine and chemicals

Medical and chemical warehouses are warehouses that meet specific requirements for the safe and proper storage of medicines and chemicals. These warehouses must comply with strict rules and regulations to guarantee the integrity of the stored products and prevent any potential risks. Staff working in such warehouses also require specific training in the handling of toxic and/or hazardous substances (APQ).

The main characteristics of medicine and chemical stores are:

  • Temperature and humidity control to ensure appropriate storage conditions
  • Safety and risk prevention, such as ventilation systems, fire extinguishers and specific safety measures.
  • Segregated storage and proper labelling of products according to their nature and hazardousness.
  • Access control and traceability to ensure chain of custody and prevent misuse of products
  • Shelf-life tracking and inventory control to ensure compliance with quality standards

Block warehouse

Also known as bulk storage, this is a warehouse characterized by large open and diaphanous storage areas, without internal divisions, which allows it to store, for example, large volumes of bulk products or very bulky goods. It is used, for example, to store bulk products such as building materials or chemicals, or products packaged in large containers. As they have no internal partitions, they also allow great flexibility in the layout and distribution of space, to adapt to the type of goods stored as required.

Conclusion

In short, it is the type of goods stored and the type of distribution they are destined for that classifies a warehouse into one category or another. However, this does not exclude the possibility of finding hybrid warehouses, i.e., warehouses that can be classified into two categories. What all warehouses do have in common, whatever their size and purpose, is that they need efficient and increasingly automated management, such as warehouse management software, in order to be able to respond quickly to an increasingly globalised and complex market.

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