As warehouse real estate costs continue rising throughout central Iowa, optimizing every square foot of your existing facility has become essential for operational success.

Finding available warehouse space remains a challenge across the metro area. Industrial corridors near the airport, along I-35, and in the Ankeny area face particularly high demand, creating difficulties for businesses seeking to expand their operations.

Adding an elevated mezzanine platform to capitalize on vertical space can dramatically increase storage and operational capacity. These systems allow facilities to grow upward while maintaining full ground-level functionality for existing activities.

Choosing Mezzanines Over Facility Moves

When businesses exceed their current facility's capacity, relocation often represents a significant financial burden and causes major operational disruption. Industrial mezzanine systems offer a more cost-effective, minimally disruptive expansion approach that keeps your operation in its current location.

These elevated structures work well for operations of any scale, from compact warehouses to expansive distribution facilities. Installation proceeds relatively quickly, and a well-executed design improves productivity while generating excellent returns on investment. Available options range from standard prefabricated designs to custom-built, multi-tier engineered platforms.

Practical Advantages of Mezzanine Structures

Beyond providing additional square footage and improved operational density, these platforms offer tangible functional benefits. Management personnel gain a superior vantage point from the elevated level, enhancing their ability to oversee warehouse activities and safety practices.

Platform systems come in diverse configurations and fulfill multiple purposes. Many incorporate office modules, establishing dedicated areas for employee break facilities, administrative offices, and meeting spaces alongside increased storage capacity.

Installation is straightforward for most systems, and they can be disassembled if circumstances require. Structural modifications to your warehouse building are almost never necessary. As operational requirements change, your platform can be adjusted accordingly. Reconfiguration is simple as business needs develop over time.

Access to upper levels commonly includes heavy-duty staircases, while forklift gates enable equipment access for material handling tasks. Numerous installations incorporate mechanical lift systems or VRC units to facilitate efficient vertical product transport.

Types of Industrial Mezzanine Structures

Freestanding: These structural platforms maximize available floor space and feature straightforward assembly and disassembly. They're appropriate for component storage and product inventory.

Rack Supported: Catwalk platforms built above pallet racking add usable storage space over existing rack systems. These designs usually include several access gates for pallet loading and unloading within the rack structure.

Shelf Supported: Platforms constructed over shelving units increase storage for smaller goods. While these systems are economical, they offer less flexibility compared to freestanding or rack-supported configurations.

Mezzanine Systems for Central Iowa Warehouses

If you're considering an elevated platform for your facility, we provide systems for all types and sizes of operations. Our team recognizes the specific challenges warehouses face in this region and can develop a solution that addresses your space constraints and budgetary requirements.

Contact a material handling specialist at Associated today to discuss your warehouse mezzanine project!

The Associated Des Moines service area includes Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Waterloo, Ames, West Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Ankeny, Dubuque, Urbandale, Cedar Falls, Marion, Bettendorf, Mason City and all surrounding areas.

Associated | Des Moines Material Handling Equipment Supplier

4421 NW Urbandale Dr
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 964-0162