The changes in the economy initiated 20 years ago have positively influenced the development of Polish warehouse process infrastructure, which includes warehouse and internal transport infrastructure.
In every warehouse process, we deal with the operation of transport and storage equipment, which includes:
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warehouse equipment, including storage devices,
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transport and auxiliary equipment enabling the mechanization of work.
Among storage devices, various types of warehouse racks are the most commonly used. Practically all types of racks are available on the domestic market, the classification of which results from the PN-78/M-78320 standard Storage equipment – Warehouse racks – Names, definitions, classification and symbols. Various types of racks are offered in Poland by 75 companies, of which about 85% belong to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Their offer includes racks from both renowned manufacturers and those less known. Market research has shown that:
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fixed frame racks and mobile track frame racks enjoy the greatest customer demand,
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based on the sales volume of racks in the years 2007 – 2009 of some manufacturers with an established market position and production plants in Poland, it can be assumed that a portion of the sold racks was exported, but it is difficult to determine how many were exported and how many went to the domestic market,
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the sales of individual types of racks are characterized by great diversity, and the most buyers are for frame shelving and pallet racks, which are cheaper than others due to their relatively simple construction,
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the sales of all types of racks grew until 2008, while in 2009 there was a decline; an exception are mobile shelving racks, the sales of which increased last year,
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the percentage rate of sales decline was not uniform for individual types and ranged from 5.3% to 54.3%,
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the sales volume of racks in 2010 will remain at a similar level as in 2009, or may even increase slightly.
An analysis of the rack market offer allowed for observing certain trends:
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the expansion of products from Asian, Far Eastern companies (especially Chinese) may, for price reasons, turn out to be a major threat to many manufacturers from other parts of the world, and at the same time, it may be burdened with the risk of occupational safety hazards during operation,
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many companies in the storage equipment sector have decided to take a comprehensive approach to customer service and expectations, and therefore have enriched their offer with technological transport equipment, such as conveyors or stacker cranes, which, controlled by an integrated computer program, allow for the provision of automated storage systems,
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the market for used racks is constantly developing in Poland, and this requires a reliable assessment of their technical condition.
Among transport equipment, various types of industrial trucks, manual and powered, as well as stacker cranes are the most widespread in practice.
There is a very rich offer of various types of industrial trucks, both manual and powered, available on the Polish market. About 100 companies are involved in the supply of trucks in our country, among which:
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about 80% belong to the SME sector,
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about 15% are representative offices of companies with an established position on the global market,
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about 50% of companies offer customers a rental service for powered industrial trucks,
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over 50% of companies offer service support to truck users.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 4/2010.