Unique international parcel forwarding organisation supersizes space and prepares for future development with high capacity, bespoke storage system by Rapid Racking design team.
The storage experts at Rapid Racking have helped the UK’s first dedicated international parcel forwarding service to supersize their storage capacity and future proof their warehouse facilities against further expansion.
forward2me.com called in the Rapid Racking design team to implement a high capacity storage system at its Garstang, Preston base earlier this summer. As a dedicated international parcel forwarding service, forward2me offers both consumers and businesses from any country outside the UK the advantage of a UK postal address. International residents can order their goods from a UK website and use the UK postal address to have their goods shipped to the forward2me warehouse, rather than paying for overseas delivery. forward2me then sends on the parcel at a competitive postal rate, allowing consumers and businesses to avoid high international courier costs.
With thousands of parcels arriving, being sorted, prepared for shipping and awaiting dispatch each week, Rapid Racking needed to design and install an intuitive storage system that maximised every inch of available warehouse space. The chosen solution saw storage space allocated at one end of the building, allowing sufficient working space for order and delivery fulfilment at the other. Rapid Racking’s Steve Homer included additional floor space for forward2me to add an additional two tier system at

a later date, allowing storage capability to grow in tandem with the quickly expanding business. He said,
“Forward 2me is a great example of a company utilising the height available within their warehouse, Janet had already seen a Rapid Racking Two Tier system in situ at another site and knew the system was the most efficient answer for their needs, from my point of view it was more a case of how the system could be positioned to allow for future growth expansion and ease of access, whilst still allowing for goods in, packaging and goods out, Janet was very open to the ideas I presented to her and made the task so much easier”.

The installation took place over a three day period and was carefully planned to minimise disruption as per the client’s requirements. Janet Grundy from forward2me said, “We still had to run our business efficiently whilst the work was being carried out but the organised professional and respectful way that the fitters worked suited us down to the ground.” Selected specifically for the huge volume of parcels going in and out of the forward2me hub each day, the custom designed system included:Two-Tier system: The Rapid Racking Two Tier system is eminently adaptable with a durable structure based around a ground and upper floor, comprising of either racking or shelving. In the case of forward2me, Rapid 1 Heavy Duty Shelving was deemed to be the most appropriate solution. The finished system provides multi level space efficient storage and is perfect for a quick turnaround picking operation.

The overall size of the system forward2me Two Tier system is 4000mm x 9000mm x 4720mm high with a finished floor level of 2625mm. Walkways are 910mm wide, giving a compact storage solution with sufficient space allowance for ease of stock movement. The uprights were then finished in blue, with orange shelf beams.
For complete health and safety compliance and peace of mind, Steve recommended Anti-Spill Mesh be used on each open side of the two-tier system and around the perimeter of the upper floor. Rapid Racking’s Anti Spill Mesh is a modular system constructed of steel mesh securely welded to steel frames. This essential racking safety solution prevents items falling off the back of racking, and can also be fitted to all pallet racking types as well as standard shelving systems. The mesh can be fitted from the ground up or secured above the first beam level, leaving open access to ground level pallets.

Heavy Duty Shelving Area: In addition to the Rapid 1 Two-Tier system, forward2me also requested a single level storage area for additional parcels and packages. A heavy duty shelving specification was selected in line with the volume of stock to be stored. This area is designated to accommodate overflow parcels and is built from Rapid 1, 4 level bays. The shelving area is completed with a set of 3 tread mobile steps to ensure staff members remain safe when reaching and lifting parcels. With the new systems now fully up and running and parcels flying in and out of the warehouse, forward2me can concentrate on its expansion goals. Janet Grundy says, “We were really pleased with the whole process from initial contact, visiting another site with the unit installed, the survey, drawings and pricing that Steve provided to the communication from the office and finally the actual installation. Every person I dealt with from start to finish was really professional and helpful and made the whole process very efficient and problem free.”
For more about forward2me visit www.forward2me.com. To find out how the Rapid Racking design team can create a solution for your business, call 01285 686868 or email design@rapidracking.com.