Organisation increases efficiency; choose durable storage bins for industrial use 17.4.2023 |

In various technical and industrial working environments, according to the lean philosophy, every item must find its own place. One important element in maintaining order is the storage bins, where all important items can easily be found at a glance. In order to increase efficiency, make sure that you minimise the time spent on looking for things and ensure that it is effortless to put even the smallest items back where they belong.

In this article, we will stimulate your thoughts on the choice of storage bins. A little work on organisation can make operations significantly more efficient and can improve ergonomics and safety at work, not to mention the level of comfort and the company brand and image.

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Treston Storage bins blog post image 1 — Storage bins provide small-parts storage and easy piece-picking solutions.

How to get started with choosing a storage bin for industrial use

A clean and organised workplace supports an efficient and safe work environment. Things lying around in the wrong places can, for example, easily cause a risk of tripping and increase time wastage. The best decision in choosing storage bins is made by observing current processes and identifying needs.

Treston Storage bins blog post image 2 — The bins can be placed on a trolley, workbench or a shelf, and most models have a back design which allows them to be mounted on a bin rail or a bin rack.

Determining storage locations in advance helps significantly in creating a functional environment.

When analysing the current situation, these 7 questions may be useful:

Which items are not where they’re supposed to be?
Are there some items in the work environment that easily get left lying around? It is good to place the most used items at an ergonomic height, as close as possible to the work being performed, while the less frequently used items can be moved to the side. Minimising unnecessary or excessively long pick-up distances promotes work efficiency and reduces the physical load of work. Determining storage locations in advance helps significantly in creating a functional environment.
Which items should be stored and where?
Is there something unnecessary in the work environment? There may also be too many of the same items. It is worth getting rid of unnecessary items for clarity and to save space. Even if a place is left empty, it can contribute to increasing the comfort and clarifying the functions of the space.

Priority	Usage	Location
Low	Less than once a year	Recycle or store furthest away
Low	About once a year	Store further away
Medium	Once in 2-6 months	Store in one location*, not close to the workstation
Medium	Once a month	Store in a dedicated unit**
Medium	Once a week	Store in a dedicated unit**
High	Once a day	Store in a dedicated unit** in the workstation or carry with you
High	Once an hour	Store in a dedicated unit** in the workstation or carry with you

* Store in one location = The same storage unit (such as a bin) can contain multiple different items.
** Store in a dedicated unit = The same storage unit (such as a bin) contains only one type of item.

When all the items have their own places, anyone can put them back where they belong and detect deviations.

What is the size of the items? How many of them are there?
By carefully measuring the goods as well as the shelves, cabinets, or levels where the bins are to be placed, you can avoid buying the wrong kinds of bins. Map out the quantity of goods initially, as well.

Note: In an ergonomic work environment, heavy or awkwardly shaped items are placed below elbow height.
How should the storage bins be labelled?
Are bins of different colours needed for different types of items in the work environment, or is it enough to label the storage bins? Does the company have its own brand colour that should be used? When all the items have their own places, anyone can put them back in their own places and detect deviations. The training of new employees also runs more smoothly when the items are found in their designated places.

Are the items clean or dirty?
Are oily or dirty items to be stored in the storage bins? For example oil resistance is an important feature in workshops.

Chemical resistance is an important aspect to consider when choosing the storage bins. Even Treston BiOX bioplastic bins have excellent oil-resistance. They can withstand the effects of oils, most acids and solvents
Are the bins to be used in an EPA area?
It must be ensured that ESD-protected bins are selected for EPA areas. Treston's range includes a wide selection of ESD storage bins. Learn more about Treston ESD storage bins
Is responsibility an important matter for the company?
If the company’s goal is to switch to more responsible materials in procurement, it is worth mapping out different material options. In addition to traditional plastic storage bins, Treston BiOX bioplastic bins, designed for industry, have arrived in our selection. Treston ReBOX bins, made of recycled plastic, are also a responsible choice.