There are a wide variety of warehouse types depending on the objects they handle and where they are in the supply chain. These are configured and managed in specific ways, so knowing which ones you need is critical to planning and implementing your operations.
Warehouses have evolved along with the industries that use them, and both their use and the safety guidelines and standards they follow have changed over time.
New industries that rely on warehouses and distribution centers, such as e-commerce, have also emerged, creating previously unseen demands.
SEE ALSO: Warehouse project management: 5 important things you need to get right.
The following highlights seven of the most common types of warehouses, which may be of interest to anyone planning to open a facility to support their business.
Serviap Logistics offers installation, reconditioning and relocation services for warehouses in Brazil, Mexico and the United States.
Contact us at today for more information.
Aspects to take into account regarding types of warehouses
When considering the different types of warehousing to find the one that best suits your needs, two main considerations will be the variety of products being stored and the type of system used to process them.
For example, storage of raw materials will require different preparation procedures than for finished or fresh products. Whereas a FIFO (first in, first out) system may be more suitable for a different type of facility than a LIFO (last in, first out) system.
SEE ALSO: 6 warehouse shelving options to improve efficiency.
When dealing with delicate goods, food or perishable products, an indoor warehouse with lighting, refrigeration and other specific conditions will be best to help preserve your products and extend their shelf life.
However, if you only need a place to store the products safely before distributing them, you can opt for an outside warehouse, which will generally be a cost-effective option.
7 types of warehouses
1) General stores
Also known as a central warehouse, it is where companies store their goods after production. They are usually located near the manufacturing center of the company and have the function of storing, handling, controlling, distributing and even marketing goods. They are the beginning of the supply chain.
In these general warehouses, goods are accumulated in a single location and inventory is carried out in a variety of ways, from floor storage to the use of semi-automatic and automatic shelving, manual and automatic storage systems, etc.
2) Distribution centers
One of the types of warehouses whose use has grown considerably is that of distribution centers, which receive goods from production centers, sort them and prepare them for shipment to the end consumer.
This makes them part of the last mile of the supply chain. They also ensure that certain products remain in stock for distribution according to regional demand.
Distribution centers are strategically located as close as possible to the end customer. The closest location helps minimize delivery times, avoid damage to merchandise and provide the best service to consumers. You will see large volumes of smaller vehicles, or even drones.
3) Transversal warehouses
As the name suggests, these warehouses assist in the transit of goods before moving to the next stage of production. They also specialize in moving goods from inbound trucks to outbound trucks or other means of transport. They are often part of extensive supply chains, often crossing borders.
By offering temporary storage of goods, these warehouses usually have a constant flow of products that are only accumulated in stock for a short period of time. This is why they are widely used by the food industry, retail and, more recently, e-commerce. Transverse warehouses serve as an intermediate point for receiving, short-term storage and shipment of goods.
4) Production warehouses
Production warehouses are one of the most common types of warehouses, as they are used to store material resources, work in process and goods needed for manufacturing operations. They usually have to be carefully designed to avoid errors between different areas.
These warehouses store raw materials, production parts, components, semi-finished products and supplies. In addition, production warehouses are characterized by temporary storage intervals and are located at or very close to the production sites.
5) Automated warehouse
An automated or smart warehouse is one of the most advanced types of warehouses, which takes advantage of robotics and innovations to receive products, store them, organize them, prepare them for orders and ship them, keeping the inventory constantly updated. Drones can also be used as part of the operation.
These types of warehouses minimize the number of people required for operation and have automated low-emission tools, conveyor belts and unmanned equipment, so their operating costs are high. However, they have correspondingly lower human resource costs, such as payroll, for example.
6) Temperature controlled warehouse
Temperature-controlled warehouses allow food, medicines, plants, cosmetics and many other products to be kept in good condition and have a longer shelf life.
There are also some products that may require special storage circumstances to comply with regulations.
Cold storage is perfect for handling sensitive products. However, it involves electrical energy costs, compliance with strict safety standards, and repair and maintenance costs. The same costs and problems will occur for items that must be kept at artificially high temperatures, with heating instead of air conditioning.
7) Bonded warehouse
Among the different types of warehouses, bonded warehouses are buildings that house imported goods to be sold, managed or moved to the next stage of the production process. This usually places them in the middle of the supply chain, especially between countries.
In order to remove such goods from bonded warehouses, customs duties, which are usually very high, must be paid. However, after a certain period of time, the stored goods can leave the warehouse without paying any duty. These types of warehouses often incur costs associated with regulatory compliance, as well as sometimes having to provide additional security.
What type of warehouse is right for you?
Manufacturers, import and export companies, wholesalers and retailers, transportation companies and other industries use warehouses.
These buildings are usually simple in appearance, but inside they have signage, markings and other systems that help keep products organized and in good condition.
The type of warehouse you choose will depend on the product or goods you want to store, the stage of the production process and whether it needs special storage conditions, such as a cold room or a roofed place.
Your choice will also depend on your budget, but remember that warehouses can also be public, private, corporate government and bonded.
Serviap Logistics assists in the installation of all types of warehouses.
At Serviap Logistics we offer various services for all types of warehouses, such as supply and installation of signage, floor marking, racking and collision protection.
We also provide labeling and offer project management to oversee all aspects of the installation, remodeling or relocation of a warehouse, including the installation of any of the above items.
We are present in Mexico, Brazil and the United States, where we work with some of the largest and best-known companies in the world, covering sectors such as automotive, e-commerce and wholesale.
Wherever we operate, we are committed to meeting the highest safety standards, including U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, and we ensure that everyone who works with us has up-to-date certifications related to their work.
Contact us at for more information on how we can help you with your warehouse or distribution center.
