Relocating mobile shelving isn't just a cost-saving exercise. Done well, it's an opportunity to improve how your storage actually performs. Here are the five operational gains we see most often.
1. Recovered floorspace
A relocation is the perfect moment to right-size. Replacing a 12-bay run with a 10-bay run plus an extra workbench typically recovers 4–6 m² of usable floor — without losing any storage capacity, because mobile shelving compacts what static shelving cannot.
2. Reduced picking time
Re-laying tracks gives you the chance to re-zone by frequency. Putting fast-movers at the aisle end and slow-archive at the closed end can cut average pick time by 25–30%.
3. Better ergonomics
Adjusting shelf pitch during reinstallation eliminates the dreaded "stretch and stoop" that drives manual-handling claims. A 50mm change in shelf height can transform a workstation.
4. Improved compliance
The post-install PUWER inspection effectively resets your maintenance clock — useful evidence for HSE audits and CQC visits.
5. Modernised access control
Many older systems have analogue locks. A relocation is your chance to upgrade end-panels with digital keypad locks or even integrate with site-wide access cards.