Automated dry-stack storage is an effective solution for marina owners looking to increase storage capacity, operational efficiency, and revenue from slip rental. However, there are three conditions where integrating automation with marina development maximizes ROI and optimizes operational efficiency:
If your marina property meets one or more of these conditions, you may be an ideal candidate for an automated storage solution. Continue reading below to learn how each of these conditions helps justify the cost of implementing automation at a marina facility.
Marina facilities located in an area with high property values are a great candidate for automation because owners need a solution that will ensure a high ROI. Even though the initial cost to implement automation technology is high, automated dry-stack facilities maximize rentable cubic space through the elimination of a forklift drive aisle, and in some cases, via additional vertical expansion.
The inherently high rental rates in these locations combine with increased storage space to allow owners to realize an ideal ratio of rentable space to overhead. This ratio is not attainable (and the solution impractical) for most properties featuring traditional forklift storage.
To learn more about how automated dry-stack technology works and how it compares to traditional forklift storage, click here.
Automated dry-stack storage is a space-saving solution. For example, a 100,000-square-foot facility would not benefit the same way that a 50,000-square-foot facility would from added cubic rental space.
However, marinas with a footprint between 25,000 to 30,000 square feet represent the lower limit of square footage required to realize ROI that justifies the cost of integrating automation. Automation is a more viable solution for facilities between 30,000 and 75,000 square feet, where space can only be added vertically or through the elimination of a forklift drive aisle.
Another important factor in determining if automation is a viable solution for your marina is understanding the requirements and limitations set by surrounding municipalities regarding building height. New construction projects are often faced with height restrictions, sound attenuation mandates, and aesthetic requirements implemented by municipalities that impact project plans. Properties with limited or no height restrictions tend to realize a higher ROI because they can maximize storage vertically.
One way that some marina owners and project managers have circumvented backlash from municipalities is by using tilt-wall concrete construction for the exterior of their facility. Tilt-wall is a dynamic construction method that allows for aesthetic customizability, built-in sound insulation and enhanced fire protection. Municipalities have been more inclined to grant exceptions to zoning codes to allow for developments that feature those benefits.
Are you a marina owner looking to create new revenue opportunities and resolve capacity issues at your marina? We’d love to talk to you about your property and help determine whether automation technology is a viable solution for you. Contact us today to get started.
Marina owners looking to redevelop their facility tend to fall into one
For the last century, forklifts have been the primary equipment used in
