Small businesses fuel the American economy. There are over 30.2 million small businesses (defined as under 500 employees) in the United States that comprise 99% of all the businesses in the country. You can start a business anywhere and end up one of the most powerful companies in the world! Many Americans begin in their garage, a basement, a small apartment, or a warehouse. Many of today’s most powerful companies including Apple, Google, and Microsoft had humble beginnings in a garage or a basement.
Here to Keep Your Warehouse Clean
In the year 2020, many small businesses are suffering. Like everyone, we await the return to normalcy, recovery, and business as usual. In the meantime, EP Cleaning Solutions is doing the best we can to keep business clean as they operate. Business owners are now hyper-aware of the cleanliness of their facilities. One of the many commercial businesses we clean and sanitize includes warehouses. Warehouses might not be something you think about all the time, but they have become blank slates for many creative entrepreneurs and business types. So we thought we would pay homage to the great American warehouse.
For most people, a warehouse is simply a place in which to store extra stuff. Many of them are. Retail stores and bulk stores have warehouses in which they store their extra inventory. The three most common uses for the warehouse include:
Manufacturing
Companies lease warehouse space for manufacturing purposes. Spaces of this kind have to be wide-open. When manufacturing materials or other products, big spaces with high ceilings and the ability to bring in large equipment and setups.
Showrooms
For many commercial ventures that have inventory to display, the warehouse is a major player. Industrial warehouse space can be ideal for showing off everything from cars, motorcycles, artwork, or other products. The warehouse allows incredible flexibility with the lighting, which can enhance the view. A warehouse will also allow the ability to have facilities like office space, restrooms, or waiting rooms, for businesses like car garages, and more.
Storage and shipping
For many business owners or people involved in shipping or trade, a warehouse is useful space. It is easy to install security cameras and implement other security technology to keep your materials safe. Companies with large stocks of products use warehouses as storage spaces that allow for plenty of storage space and security. Big companies like Amazon, for example, will have large warehouses in which they store many goods and can easily access them and have vehicles like forklifts easily access heavier materials.
The forklift was invented in the early 20th century and was used often after World War II. Forklifts transformed the way that warehouses could be used for storage, as companies could now stack up materials very high up.
The Warehouse Transformation — From Gyms to Modern Office Space
In recent years, as companies empty their inventories, many local warehouses are often left vacant. Many business owners and company heads have found creative ways to utilize these unique spaces in new ways and maximize the open layouts of the warehouse. Most of the above uses for a warehouse evoke images of cold open space used for storage and raw materials. The warehouse can also be transformed for whole new uses including:
Modern homes: There is an entire movement out there that is turning warehouses into modern homes, some with a multi-story industrial-style design that uses the open layout to create very chic and New York-style lofts. Because of their wide space, adding walls and rooms is not that difficult. It creates a very modern and interconnected living space.
Art studio’s spaces: Warehouses also make an incredible space for artists and performers. The space with large windows and natural lighting lends itself to providing a great atmosphere for many artists and displaying artwork across long walls, as well as hosting events.
The gym: Throughout the United States independent gyms have popped up. Whether they are CrossFit affiliates or other cross-training programs, warehouses seem to make great gyms! Not only are there wide open spaces, but you typically have a concrete floor that can take a beating. When you need to drop weights, equipment, or drill into the floor to set up pull-up bars and rigs, warehouses can oblige.
The modern tech office: Warehouse-to-office conversions are quite popular right now. Today’s most tech-savvy startups have a different way of working. Many modern offices utilize large office space with open layouts that include sitting lounges, and long computer stations. The warehouse has also been transformed into some pretty unique and modern office spaces. Not only does it hold plenty of employees, it also allows a lot of freedom for different setups.
Here at EP Cleaning Solutions, we specialize in cleaning commercial and industrial spaces. Whether you are using your warehouse for storage or looking to transform it into the next high-end office or retail space, we can help. Our power washing options can clean floors and provide you with a clean slate to start your next business venture!
