Nearly every industry from food processing to computer assembly requires the use of storage bins and totes. That is why today’s bins and totes are so highly specialized. While plastic storage totes and stackable plastic bins are the standard, there are a multitude of materials, sizes, systems and configurations that offer solutions to a wide variety of business and industrial needs.
When buying a storage bin, consider the following:
1. What are your space and traffic considerations?
2. How much weight will the storage bins need to hold?
3. How will your employees interact with the storage bins?
4. What type of materials will be stored in the bins? Can the contents potentially corrode the bins?
5. Will the storage bins be used on an assembly line?
6. Will plastic storage bins be exposed to extremes in temperature? Chemicals? Moisture? Do the bins need drainage?
7. How will the bins be stored? Do you want stackable storage bins? Nesting bins? Collapsible bins?
8. Do you need large storage bins for bulk use or or small stackable bins to hold many individual pieces?
9. Will the bins be stationary or mobile? Do they need castors or will they be picked up and carried?
10. Will the bins stay in your facility or will they be shipped?
11. Do the storage bins need to be labeled?
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Stackable storage bins
Stackable storage bins are extremely durable, come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and openings and often have a molded area for ID labels. The same is true of plastic storage totes, which have finger grips and handles for easy transport. Almost every manufacturer of storage supplies carries stackable plastic bins and plastic storage totes.
I recommend: L.K. Goodwin Company has an excellent selection of stackable plastic bins in different sizes and configuration. Visit Business.com for links to companies that manufacture and distribute
plastic storage bins.
Access to storage bins
Consider how your employees will move around and interact with materials stored in plastic storage bins and plastic storage totes. Will they be standing up picking multiple parts off of shelves from plastic storage bins? Or sitting and picking from trays on an assembly line? Will they have to check labels on the plastic bins to correctly identify contents? Will a rotating plastic storage bin that contains many different slots economize traffic and save time?
I recommend: CLD Handling Systems has a selection of sloped shelving systems with plastic bins for easy access. Rand MH has an excellent selection of
rotating storage bins as well as
stackable storage bins. If you’re dealing with small parts,
Anytime Products has a wide selection of individual plastic bins with dividers in many plastic storage bin models.
Storage bin materials
Storage bins are made of a wide variety of materials, the most common of which is high-density plastic. Storage bin materials also include steel, wire mesh, fiberglass, and corrugated cardboard.
I recommend: If you will be using a plastic storage bin model to store electronic components, go to
Global Industrial for a variety of conductive electrostatic dissipation (ESD) containers, carbon-filled plastic storage bins which are designed to dissipate charges that can damage electronics. This manufacturer also offers
premium stackable plastic bins that are made to withstand extreme temperatures from -40 degrees F to 250 degrees F. For non-electronic assembly line work, check out
L.K. Goodwin’s fiberglass storage bins and trays.
FS Industries has an excellent selection of drain bins for storing metal parts that need to be washed.
Get the best price
The storage bins and totes industry is competitive, with many companies offering the same product lines of plastic storage bin models. Compare prices to get a better deal, particularly on stackable plastic bins.
I recommend: Visit
Thomas Global Register to search for suppliers of storage bins.
GlobalSpec allows you to locate storage products by category or specification. Also, visit Business.com for links to a wide variety of manufacturers and distributors of
stackable storage bins and baskets.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Shop for the best bin configuration. A huge variety of storage bin and tote designs as well as rack and shelving systems are available.
- Buy to last. Durability is the key to getting your money’s worth. This is especially true if you work with chemicals or in temperatures that can corrode or degrade storage bins.
- Shop for price. Once you’ve determined the best configuration and material for your storage bins, source different companies and compare prices.
- Consider the human element. Remember that storage bins and totes are supposed to serve the needs of your employees, not the other way around. Buy stackable bins that work with reasonable expectations for employee strength and range of motion.
The official source of Storage Bins and Storage Totes for Business is
the Storage Bins page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Bins, Totes & Containers for All Your Business NeedsOffers industrial supplies including stackable shelf bins, corrugated bins, nesting utility totes, rotating bins, folding containers, and wall panels.
www.globalindustrial.com
Storage Containers & Bins at Factory Direct PricesCompare prices on a large selection of storage bins & containers systems. Economy, ultra, & giant bins available. Factory direct pricing.
www.cldhandlingsystems.com
GlobalSpec.com: Baskets and BinsProvides database of suppliers for baskets and bins. Includes catalogs, technical information, and supplier contact information.
process-equipment.globalspec.com
Shipping BoxesFind suppliers for boxes in all sizes. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
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