For retailers, wholesalers, importers/exporters and any business that relies on storage, distribution or fulfilment, warehousing is essential to keep your operations running as they should.

Having the right space – in the right place – can impact everything from delivery speed and customer satisfaction, to efficiency and potential growth.

Choosing an unsuitable warehousing provider can lead to issues and higher costs – but choosing the right one will give you the infrastructure, flexibility and support to help your business succeed.

As one of the South East’s leading independent warehousing, storage and transport companies, we thought we’d take a closer look at the most important things to look for when choosing the right warehouse provider.

1. Location

Choosing a warehouse that’s close to key transport routes, suppliers and customer bases can reduce delivery times and transport costs significantly.
At Tomkinsons, our warehouses are located close to London and the South East. This provides easy access to major transport links to Europe as well as other areas of the UK.

2. High-capacity and additional space

If you’re a growing business, choosing warehousing that has additional space available – on the same site or nearby – is vital for easy expansion.
As well as various-sized warehouses, we have extra warehouse space within walking distance of each other too, perfect for any size business looking to grow. Plus, we also run a third-party warehousing and transport service that can house extra storage if required.

3. Ceilings and floors

The height of a warehouse ceiling can be crucial in terms of vehicle access and heating and cooling costs. Floors need to be smooth and level so vehicles can operate safely and stacked goods remain secure.
At Tomkinsons, we have a number of warehouses reaching heights of up to 14.5m tall, with some featuring suspended ceilings too. This allows for efficient use of forklifts and storage of pallet racking systems, which are usually three to four levels high.
Our warehouse floors are also rated FM1, the highest standard of flatness and levelness for the free movement of machinery.

4. Heating, cooling and lighting

Proper heating, cooling and lighting are critical when choosing a warehouse space. Poor temperature control can damage goods, while dim and inefficient lighting can lead to safety risks and high energy costs.
All of our warehouses come with heating and bright LED lighting, with some including air conditioning too.

5. Loading and docking areas

In distribution, efficient loading and unloading of delivery vehicles is essential to keep deliveries moving and customers happy.
So, spacious and sheltered loading and docking areas mean your goods can stay in prime condition and your loading times remain quick and efficient.
At Tomkinsons, our warehouses feature large, covered loading and docking areas to help you load more goods with ease and keep everything sheltered from the weather.

6. Security and safety

Warehouses need to be fully secure to prevent theft, break-ins and vandalism – and to ensure you and your customers’ peace-of-mind.
That’s why our warehouses come with complete CCTV, fully gated access, comprehensive alarm systems and security patrols.

7. Onsite parking

While often overlooked, onsite parking is essential for the functionality of your operations, as it ensures convenience for staff, clients and delivery drivers.
It’s important to choose a warehouse that has enough parking for everyone, as well as dedicated spaces for delivery vehicles when they’re not in use.
At Tomkinsons, our warehouses feature plenty of onsite parking, making it easy for everyone to work onsite efficiently.

8. Sustainable electricity

With sustainability a growing concern for businesses and consumers alike, more customers are looking for suppliers who are environmentally-friendly.
That’s why choosing a warehousing site that runs on renewable energy is not only a responsible choice, but it can also be a competitive advantage too.
At Tomkinsons, our warehouses are powered by solar energy, with a total of 257 solar panels installed across our warehouses with the aim to have our site run entirely on solar power.

9. EV charging

As well as renewable energy, the transition to electric vehicles is also becoming increasingly important in the warehousing and logistics industry.
With eight EV charging points available across our warehouses, we encourage our clients to adopt electric vehicles for their delivery operations to help reduce emissions and contribute to a greener logistics industry.

10. Technology and systems

As many businesses now rely on technology and systems to manage their operations, having a warehouse space that features up-to-date technology and reliable connectivity are essential.
That’s why our warehouses are equipped with the latest computerised management systems to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
They feature fast and reliable internet through copper and fibre Wi-Fi access points and 4G connection, with all wiring fully compliant with the latest 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS7671).

How can Tomkinsons help you?

Here at Tomkinsons, we have almost 70 years’ experience providing warehousing and transport services for companies in many industries.
Alongside leasing warehouse space, we can also provide logistics and transport services for you, including receiving, storing and dispatching all types of goods and consignments.
If you’re looking for a warehouse to call your own or require a provider to handle the entire logistics process for you, get in contact to discover how we can provide the perfect solution for your business.