As industry faces the triple pressure of escalating costs, complex supply chains, and significant skills shortages, every process optimisation counts, and that includes storage. It might not be the first thought that comes to mind when looking for efficiencies, but it’s another strategic lever businesses can pull to impact the bottom line directly. To understand marginal gains, let’s compare industry’s need for efficiency with a sprinter to run faster than the competition.
An athlete will do anything legally to improve performance on the track, so drinking beetroot juice for up to a 3% gain is game-changing. It’s a small change, but for the athlete, it can be the difference between winning or losing by a hundredth of a second. Yet in industry, small opportunities such as storage, that compound to improve efficiency and profitability are often missed.
At HAYLEY DEXIS, we partner with companies like UK storage manufacturer, bott, to deliver foundational solutions that improve operations and offer end-to-end solutions from design to installation. We sat down with bott to find out why storage is so important for industry today, from reducing walk and wait times and protecting expensive tools to attracting and retaining talent.
REDUCING WALK-AND-WAIT TIMES WITH BOTT
It’s worth noting first that bott, as a UK manufacturer of storage, understands the shop floor, as they design and produce their units in-house. It gives them the edge of first hand knowledge of the challenges and how efficiency works in practice; a shared value we also have at HAYLEY DEXIS. And that knowledge means understanding that one of the most persistent and costly
productivity drains is the time spent searching for tools and materials. In a large production facility, an operative who spends 10 to 15 minutes per hour looking for a specific CNC insert, a gauge, or a crucial part causes compounding downtime or reduced profitability.
That’s why considering strategic storage, although maybe not an obvious solution, is worth considering, as it instantly cuts this loss. By implementing a methodical, well-engineered system, every operative knows the exact location of a tool. That’s an immediate reduction in walk-and-wait time. Clever storage can also become part of lean methodologies such as 5S and Kanban. The system becomes a visual control mechanism with perfo panels and shadow boards that highlight a missing tool.
Engineered drawer dividers and labelling can also help to ensure that the small details of inventory are respected, organised, and maintained. And then there are mobile solutions, from cabinets to bespoke units, which allow teams to bring necessary resources directly to the point of work. By eliminating the constant to-and-fro across the shop floor, they allow operations to run like clockwork.
PROTECTING HIGH-VALUE ASSETS
But storage isn’t just about reducing the time it takes to find a tool or part. For both engineers and purchasers, the fundamental requirement of storage is durability. In working environments, storage needs to be up to the challenge, which means not all storage solutions are suitable. That’s why the cubio and verso ranges are industrial grade quality. They fit the purpose, and because of that, they are incredibly hard wearing. Beyond resilience, security is another non negotiable. High-value assets such as CNC tooling, precision instruments, and complex components require protection against physical damage and theft. These storage solutions are designed to secure these assets while reducing dust ingress, damage, and unauthorised access. Between the cubio and verso ranges, both medium and heavy-duty options are available.
"By eliminating the constant to-and-from across the shop floor, smart storage solutions allow operations to run like clockwork."
ATTRACTING AND RETAINING
Another benefit that goes under the radar when it comes to storage is how on-brand storage and organised working environments can help retain and attract skilled personnel. It’s no secret that industry is struggling to recruit and retain. A succession plan to gradually replace an ageing workforce with younger generations is We’re not saying storage is the complete answer, but everyone likes to work in a safe and pleasant environment. Plus, operators are rightly particular about their equipment. When they walk into a facility that is orderly, professional, and equipped with high-quality storage, it signals that the organisation values its assets and, crucially, its people.
Another element is using ergonomic storage design to support staff welfare directly. When a workstation is correctly designed, with features like rear-frame benches at the optimal height and all necessary tools within easy reach, it makes the team member feel seen and understood. With intentional design features specific to an area of expertise, staff have the resources they need to do their job efficiently, properly, and safely.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INDUSTRY
At HAYLEY DEXIS, we’re committed to supporting the operational excellence of British industry. Together with bott, we want to ensure our customers have access to partners who deliver not just products, but end-to-end solutions. From a comprehensive site assessment where we take time to understand operational needs, to professional design and the delivery of 2D and 3D drawings, we work with bott to provide space and time optimisation, including delivery and installation.
Contact us if you’d like to explore storage to reduce walk-and-wait times, protect your assets, and create an excellent working environment.