Blog

Do you often hear yourself saying things like:

• There’s no more space left!
• How are we going to store all these new parts?
• Are the parts we need to fix this car in stock?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These are all the things we often hear from parts departments who face challenges with a lack of space and disorganization.

The Problem: Limited Space and Organization Challenges

Running a smooth operation is no easy task. You know better than anyone else that more space is difficult to come by. In parts departments with tons of different parts that need to be readily available, organization can be a challenge. Especially with new makes and models introduced every year, comes even more parts and tools that must be kept in stock.

It can be extremely frustrating if your parts department is disorganized and you’re finding that you’re not able to locate items easily. It can be even more frustrating if there isn’t a place to store everything that you need, especially when you already feel like there’s no storage space left.

As a parts department, your clients expect quick service from you, or else they are often times inconvenienced. To keep up with this demand, keep your turnaround times quick, and have your parts department stay organized, the right storage solutions are needed. With a smart solution on hand, you can find space where there isn’t any and create a solid system that’ll allow you to find what you need quickly. In this blog, we’ll go over high-density storage solutions for your parts department.

High Density Storage Solutions

When you need to maximize your space, it’s important that your storage solution is ideal for high dense environments. Rousseau automotive storage solutions are particularly effective for parts departments as they have a high capacity, can be customized based on your inventory, and are an efficient use of space.

Rousseau Automotive Storage Solutions

If you need to store many different parts and often have new parts come into stock, the first thing we would recommend is a Rousseau heavy-duty modular drawer cabinet.

These Rousseau cabinets have drawers that can handle up to 400lbs and will open for 100% access. In each drawer, you can configure drawer dividers to fit the specific sizes of what your items. These Rousseau automotive drawer dividers allow for flexibility as they can be moved around based on any new parts you might receive.

Depending on the items you need to store, the height, length, and number of drawers can be customized. This way, these drawers will fit perfectly into the space that you need, not wasting any space and allowing you to organize all of your parts. These Rousseau automotive solutions can also be made with a lock on them, keeping your items safe and secure when you’re not using them.

Additionally, we know parts departments like to stay on brand, so these Rousseau cabinets can come in a variety of colors to match the rest of your dealership. From Glossy Black to Sapphire Blue, we have a variety of hues for you to choose from.

Every parts department is different, so every storage solution is customizable. Especially if you need high density storage when you’re low on space, we have some tricks to help you maximize the area. On a past project we worked on, a parts department wanted heavy duty Rousseau drawers but with a special touch. They needed six of these heavy-duty storage solutions, but also needed to be able to easily access these. With this in mind, we created a mobile aisle system, allowing them to move these drawers with ease.

Along the same lines, we can design these drawers with wheels to allow for easy movement. By having wheels added, you can have your Rousseau cabinets move around and sit right next to you if you’re working on a car.

With this Rousseau configurator, you can build out your own custom Rousseau cabinets. Give it a try and send us what you designed or chat with us, and we can help you design your custom drawers based on how much storage space you need.

Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs)

Automation is a great way to take your storage system to the next level, especially in a highly dense environment. Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) are lift systems that use trays to store and retrieve items to a pick window. These automation solutions are great for saving you floor space as they take full advantage of your vertical space available.

VLMs can be customized to match your inventory, including parts’ dimensions and weight, transport needs, and your current environment. Additionally, since VLMs can align with your facilities security and part control requirements, allowing only authorized personnel to access specific trays and logging all picking and storing activity.

These automation solutions enable more efficient picking, drastically cutting walking and searching time by bringing trays down to a picking window for retrieval, automatically cueing the next tray needed and storing more frequently picked items nearer to the picking window. Additionally, VLM’s can interface directly with parts and order management software like Reynolds & Reynolds or CDK Global to provide real-time inventory awareness and further reduce picking time.

Custom Solutions for Your Parts Department

Having a smart storage solution will save your parts department time and energy from the get go. Your entire team will be more organized and efficient, allowing you to be able to offer your clients excellent customer service.

Industrial Shelving Systems can tailor your storage system to specifically meet your needs. Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

• 1.Design: We’ll start each project by chatting with you about your current concerns, and what you want to change. From there, we’ll assess your current inventory and design a storage solution that takes advantage of your space.
• 2.Installation: From there, we’ll have an installation crew, union or non-union come install your new storage solution.
• 3.Consultation: Throughout the entire process, we’re here to answer any questions you might have. Even after your project is complete, we’re here as a resource for you.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s work together to transform your parts department into a smooth operation. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or to learn more about how we can work together. Get started by giving us a ring at 1-800-875-6201 or by filling out this inquiry form here . With an efficient storage solution, you won’t be questioning if items are in stock or stressed about space!