The availability of sheltered weatherproof spaces for secure storage that can protect materials from the elements can be a vital asset that contributes to the efficiency and returns from a wide variety of business operations across many industries.

Industries such as commercial recycling, aggregate distribution, and construction, in particular, use large quantities of loose materials and raw materials that need to be sheltered from moisture and adverse weather conditions to maintain their quality and overall productivity in operations.

While traditional buildings can be constructed to shield materials from the elements, reduce wastage, and maintain peak quality, the extremely high costs, the lengthy time required for construction, and the complexities of these construction projects turn businesses away from investing in these traditional fixed buildings.

Moreover, in business operations where the sites and premises shift from project to project, these traditional buildings are unfeasible and out of the question—this is why modern modular shelters, such as OPUS by McGregor, which function as robust and portable storage structures in industrial and commercial applications have been gaining massive popularity in recent years.

What are portable storage structures and how are they integrated into operations?

Portable structures for storage in commercial and industrial operations are highly modular shelters that are made to excel in material storage and outperform traditional buildings while offering greater flexibility and versatility to businesses that integrate them.

They offer unwavering protection from the elements and provide secure shelter from heavy rains, persisting snowfall and hail, as well as extremely strong wind loads—OPUS boasts wind resistance up to a Beaufort 10 rating and even Beaufort 12 in the case of the OPUS Midi configuration.

The extreme formidability of these modular portable storage structures by McGregor is a result of the high-quality raw materials that are used in their construction and the highest production standards that are met when manufacturing in the UK. The best examples consist of galvanised high-strength steel frames and durable PVC-coated fabric canopies that provide long-lasting cover outdoors.

Bearing convenience in mind, OPUS structures can also be easily integrated onto a base made of interlocking precast concrete blocks such as Legato blocks. The assembly can be done in as little as 48 hours and the ease of disassembly, relocatability, and reassembly offers unparalleled levels of adaptability and flexibility to business operations.

What are the main benefits of integrating modular and relocatable storage structures into operations?

Protection from exposure to moisture and waterlogging of materials

Waterlogging and exposure to rain and excess moisture can drive up the tonnage of materials, especially with regard to aggregates. This increased weight can, in turn, lead to higher transportation costs and handling/labour costs. Therefore, keeping materials dry can be crucial to maximising returns in these applications.

Using modular shelters in commercial aggregate businesses in the use case of aggregate storage bays enables the ultimate conditions for secure storage to be established. The weatherproof canopies of these portable storage structures protect the materials stored within to ensure they are dry and are at optimal weight to reduce transportation and handling costs.

Relocatability for greater adaptability and agility in operations

Traditional fixed buildings for storage can be a no-go in most applications as the premises or storage location within the site needs to change. This is especially true for businesses within industries such as commercial construction since the structures they employ to keep materials for use in one project need to be relocatable so that they can also be used in the next project.

Modular storage structures can also provide businesses that require storage spaces that are relocatable within and between sites greater flexibility and speed in meeting these needs. They can also safely house scrap materials from a project and help to better organise sites for greater operational efficiency.

Preservation of peak conditions in the quality of materials

Harsh climates and adverse weather conditions can have a myriad of negative impacts on the quality of materials. For instance, materials such as paint and cement need to be protected from temperature extremes and exposure to rain so that they are in peak conditions for use in projects.

Failure in this regard can ramp up costs due to higher rates of wastage and replacements for damaged materials that are unsuitable for use. Portable and modular storage structures have the ability to withstand the harshest weather and maintain peak conditions for the material stored within.

The ability to move modular storage structures around the premises also ensures that businesses have the capability to best deploy their assets in the form of secure storage and optimise resource allocation in this regard.