New Year, New Warehouse: Start 2026 Strong with Systems for Warehouse Planning & Layout

January 31, 2026

Forget the diets and gym memberships! This year, focus on the resolution that actually impacts your bottom line: a warehouse design and layout that finally helps your workspace run the way it should.

Did you run into issues with bottlenecks and space in your warehouse last year? Instead of jumping into the same routines you ended last year with, January gives you a chance to reset. A well-structured warehouse efficiency audit, targeted warehouse upgrades, and a plan to use them can transform how your warehouse performs. And because JS Rack & Supply serves customers across the Pacific Northwest, the Treasure Valley, and nationwide, this is the perfect time to leverage expert insight and support.

And the best part?

Most improvements don’t require a total system replacement, but rather offer advice for a strategic reconfiguration, a smart warehouse layout design, or by retrofitting the racking you already own.

Start the Year with a Warehouse Efficiency Audit

A warehouse doesn't become inefficient overnight. It usually happens slowly with one storage change, one new SKU, one layout adjustment at a time. Before you know it, aisles are tighter, pick paths are longer, equipment is navigating awkward turns, and shelving is doing work it wasn’t designed for. A new year audit gives you clarity on what’s helping your operation and what’s holding it back.

Evaluate Storage Systems & Racking Condition

Start by reviewing the backbone of your warehouse: your racking and shelving. Look closely at every system currently in use: pallet racking (including teardrop systems), boltless shelving, cantilever racks, mezzanine structures, and any gravity or powered conveyor lines. Each one plays a different role, and each one needs regular evaluation to stay safe and efficient.

Inspect pallet rack uprights, beams, base plates, and connectors for bending, rust, or load-capacity concerns. Check that beams lock securely and that safety clips are still in place. If you use boltless/clip shelving, make sure clips are tight, shelves aren’t bowing, and you haven't exceeded weight limits. For cantilever racking, verify that arms are aligned, and columns haven’t been stressed by oversized loads.

Many of these warehouse systems can be upgraded or expanded without replacing them entirely, which is an approach that aligns with JS Rack & Supply’s “retrofit-first” philosophy.

Review Layout & Workflow Performance

Walk the floor during active operations. Follow the flow from receiving to put-away to picking to shipping. Are employees backtracking or competing for aisle space? Are staging areas too small during busy weeks but underused during slower ones? After observing traffic patterns, you’ll be able to pinpoint why certain bottlenecks are happening and how a simple warehouse layout change can fix them.

Conduct a Safety & Compliance Review

Safety isn’t optional. Check for loose anchors, missing labels, overloaded beams, and damaged uprights. If seismic requirements apply to your facility, make sure your system has been properly evaluated, something JS Rack & Supply provides through professional seismic calculations.

Create an Action Plan

Once your audit is complete, group your findings into two lists:

Quick wins: labeling updates, reorganizing SKUs, adding clip shelving, adjusting beam levels
Strategic upgrades: reconfiguring racking, adding new bays, retrofitting older racks, and installing conveyors

These can become your 2026 "warehouse resolutions" list.

The ROI of Upgrading Used Racking or Adding Simple Automation

A common misconception is that a warehouse needs a total equipment overhaul to see major efficiency gains. In reality, most JS Rack customers see huge gains by upgrading or reconfiguring their existing racking, often pairing new and used components together for maximum value.

Reconfigure or Add to Your Existing Racking

Optimize vertical space first. Adding beams, replacing connectors, or re-spacing levels can produce immediate capacity gains. Transitioning small sections of your warehouse to high-density storage (such as pallet flow or push-back racking) can also increase productivity without expanding your footprint.

Improve Shelf Accessibility and Ergonomics

Upgrading shelving placement, switching to lighter decking, or adding cantilever arms for long materials can reduce strain and improve pick speeds.

Use Low-Barrier Automation

Automation doesn’t need to be expensive. Consider options like:

Gravity conveyors
Powered conveyors
Automated labelers
Vertical lifts
Mobile scanning devices

These upgrades improve efficiency while keeping investments manageable.

The Financial Impact of Smart Upgrades

If you’re removing outdated or unused racks, remember: JS Rack & Supply buys back used pallet racking, boltless shelving, mezzanine components, and material handling equipment. This reduces project costs and supports sustainable practices.

Set Goals for Warehouse Growth

Once your warehouse audit and upgrades are underway, it’s time to set meaningful goals for the year. These goals should guide your decisions and help you stay on track as your business scales.

Identify What Warehouse Growth Looks Like

Growth comes in many forms: more SKUs, higher order volume, new product lines, or simply reducing congestion. Your goals determine your racking and equipment needs.

Convert Your Goals Into KPIs

Some examples of KPIs (key performance indicators) include:

Reduce pick time by 10–20%
Reclaim 15–30% of unused vertical space
Improve order accuracy
Reduce forklift travel distance per shift

Quarterly check-ins help keep your “warehouse upgrade resolution” on track.

How JS Rack & Supply Helps Retrofit & Upgrade Older Systems

Older warehouses don’t need to start from scratch, but rather a partner who understands how to make existing systems work smarter. That’s JS Rack & Supply’s specialty.

Retrofitting Instead of Replacing

Retrofit-first upgrades allow you to keep your current racking while improving capacity, safety, and workflow. This includes adding braces, replacing beams, expanding bays, or integrating new components with your existing structure.

A Complete Suite of Services

JS Rack & Supply offers more than just pallet racking. They provide:

New & used racking options
Buyback of used equipment
Warehouse walkthroughs
Demolition & teardown
Delivery & professional installation
Seismic calculations & inspections
Material handling equipment, including pallet jacks, carts, lifts, and conveyors

These full-service capabilities mean you’re not left coordinating multiple contractors; JS Rack handles the entire process from warehouse planning to installation.

2026: The Year Your Warehouse Works Smarter, Not Harder

This year, skip the resolutions that fade by February. Instead, invest in a warehouse that boosts efficiency, saves money, protects your team, and supports long-term growth. Start with an audit, set clear goals, and make smart warehouse upgrades that bring real ROI.

Ready to make 2026 your most efficient year yet? Schedule a walkthrough or request a quote online from JS Rack & Supply and start building a warehouse that works as hard as you do. We are here to help your warehouse work smarter, not harder.