Industrial property sales have continued to remain strong throughout the pandemic given the further importance of online shopping and home delivery. Potential developments in this sector could quickly be leased to the likes of Amazon or other companies looking to expand ever-growing last-mile footprints. A vast majority of these new or renovated warehouses will utilize some form of the automated retrieval system. This, of course, raises limitations on storage capacity however in new construction or an addition the installation of a superflat slab could increase capacity by 20-40%.

A superflat slab features very little variation in elevation which translates to higher rack storage systems. In a building with a superflat slab companies can increase allowable height of storage and still be able to utilize these automated systems to pick loads from extreme heights. Teknor Apex for example has chosen a superflat slab for their Leominster warehouse addition. With an extensive product portfolio of vinyl, thermoplastic elastomers, nylon, colorants, and other specialty compounds, increased storage capacity was a key factor in choosing this type of concrete slab on grade for their expanded space. Senate Construction worked with Teknor on the addition and installed the superflat slab to meet the firm’s expanded storage needs.

For those considering potential industrial/warehouse development a design/build firm like Senate Construction can demonstrate how a superflat slab could further increase high-density storage configurations on your next project to minimize land investment. Currently, conventional methods of construction can not produce floor surfaces level enough to allow for the operation of the sophisticated lift trucks in high rack environments. Working with a builder with experience in these foundations will allow for higher performance, lower costs and safer operating environments. For more information contact Rob Rose at Senate Construction at rrose@senateconstruction or 978.425.9802.