The industrial tote box is a versatile storage option for any manufacturing purpose. Whether storing electronics, small parts or large assemblies these 15 tips will give you the power to make the most of your facility’s storage containers.
- Choose the Right: Material Consider what parts you need to store. If you’re packing electrostatic sensitive materials, for example, you need to choose a material for the job such as conductive storage containers or static dissipative containers. There are a variety of fibers, plastics and cardboard options that provide protection from physical damage and environmental concerns. Choosing the right one depends on your need for durability and size.
- Use Dividers: Divider box containers are an excellent solution to small-parts storage. They allow you to maximize storage capacity, while also keeping small parts organized.
- Label Everything: Don’t assume your staff knows the location of each individual part. If you don’t already have a clear organizational system, now would be the time to start. Labeling your totes is a must if you want your storage to work for you.
Snap-on cardholders or adhesive back document holders are excellent identification options. - Build Tall: Shelving needs to be tall and narrow, even when storing tote containers. This makes it easier to make use of your clear labeling system and it prevents time wasted trying to dig through identical boxes.
- Coordinate Colors: A neat trick you can try with your totes is to integrate color into your labelling system. Since industrial storage containers come in a variety of colors, you can designate reds, blues, and yellows to specific types of parts.
- Use Front Load Shelving: Always make sure boxes are facing outwards on your shelves, even if the same section contains multiple boxes of the same parts. Think of the label facing outward as the main label for the piece, you need to see it.
- Try Climate Control: For certain materials, you need to consider climate. Products susceptible to heat and humidity should be stored in a cool, dry location to extend shelf life.
- Utilize Lids: Lids and tote covers keep dust and moisture out. In ESD applications, covers provide Faraday Cage shielding which protects sensitive electronics from harmful static charges.
- Try Nesting: Empty totes and bins are best stored inside each other. This keeps space organized and means your boxes can be stored like any other part.
- Don’t Overfill: Keep your divided containers filled to a certain height, but always leave room for labels for your washers, bolts, screws and more. Overflowing containers also increase the risk of losing a part and hurting your inventory management.
- Make Use of Extra Boxes for Files: When not used for heavy-duty parts, extra boxes make for cost-effective office storage. For engineering documents, or general file-management, paper can easily be stored in a plastic container.
- Don’t Forget Tools; The same goes for tools. An effective inventory system treats everything, including worker tools, as a part to be stored.
- Keep Tote Boxes Organized: That goes for the tote boxes too. We’ve already discussed how to store extra containers, but make sure they’re labeled and accounted for at all times. The trick to warehouse management is knowing how much of anything you have, no matter what the item may be.