Driv€-through for efficiency

racks, along with a high ceiling, allow a lumber yard to store "up" instead of "out." This means that a smaller building can be built, and less real esArc utilized to store a given amount of material. Often, he maintains, racks can pay for themselves through construction and real estate savings. Mezzanines, either free-standing or supported by the racks, can add more feet to support the rafters or trusses. These buildings can be engineered for virtually any loads or seismic requirements. As an added advantage, Darnell notes, racks can generally be depreciated as equipment, even though they forrn part of ttre structure. square footage of storage space.

If a building products dealer is considering remodeling or building a new facility utilizing the drivethrough concept, he can turn to several places for planning assistance. The obvious choice would be an architect in his area, however they often have lifle understanding of a lumber yard's requirements" The planning department in his buying group is a better place to staft. Another source is an independent planner or consultant specializing in yard design.

A dealer can also work directly with a storage system supplier specializing in serving the building products industry. Drive-tlrough lumber yards are often designed around the racks. A building's form follows its function, so a racking supplier with lnowledge of the industry can offer useful design suggestions for the structue. He can evaluate the advantages of a rack supported building as well as fumish and install the actual rack systems.

Rack systems also minimize unnecessary labor and material handling, thus increasing labor efficiency and reducing man hours, Darnell adds. Since lift trucks can load most racks, hand storage of most bulky and heavy materials is eliminated. With materials more accessible and better organized, less time is spent straightening and cleaning up, orders can be pulled faster and more customers can help themselves.

In many building designs, steel racks can be used to economically support the roof and/or walls. In this type of construction, racks which would have been in the building anyway are merely extended up a few

For most building material retailers, the drive-through lumber yard concept is worth considering. Even though it requires a substantial investment, designed propedy, it can more than pay for itself through increased business and reduced operating costs.

Story at a Glance

How a drive-through lumber yard can improve efficiency, increase business, reducs operating costs, pay for itsetf design sources ... building options.