Coronado NAB

Spacesaver's warehouse storage and tool storage room solution increases Accessibility and visibility of stock leads to better organization and secured storage.

SITUATION:

The Navy, like other branches of the military, has experienced pressure to downsize while at the same time, improve readiness to meet increased operational commitments. The Amphibious Construction Battalion One (ACB-1), whose sailors are known as “Seabees,” is one unit that is taking steps to meet these challenges. Stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, they recently redesigned their storage and supply areas to make them more efficient.

“The past three years have seen a substantial increase in the expectation for units to maintain high readiness postures for any possible contingency,” said Lt. Thomas Price, ACB-1’s assistant supply officer. “At ACB-1 we have limited facilities with which to store and stage equipment for our deployments. A large part of our efforts to keep pace with operational commitments was to examine our logistics capabilities and make improvements.

“A primary concern was quick and easy access to materials,” he said. “For example, we didn’t have a lot of notice to prepare for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Once we started preparations, we realized that poor access and visibility of our stock had contributed to a large amount of outdated and excess equipment.”

SOLUTION:

To support the Battalion’s mission, the ACB-1 Supply Department is tasked with the storage, maintenance, and issue of uniforms and infantry equipment for more than 450 active-duty Seabees and up to 2000 reservists. In addition, they maintain the Battalion’s Central Tool Room, which contains tools needed for construction projects and equipment repair.

Spacesaver worked with ACB-1 to redesign their warehouse and tool room to make it more accessible and increase security. In the Uniform and Infantry Gear Warehouse, Spacesaver's design helped to define three areas: Bulk Storage, Issue Point and Individual Storage.

Bulk Storage

Security of the palletized gear located on open rack shelving was improved with large lockable fencing.

Issue Point

An Issue Point storage area, which is used to issue bulk storage items to individuals, was established in a new high-density mobile storage system inside a completely enclosed security cage. Prior to these improvements bulk and issue items were kept on open shelving, inviting loss and theft.

“We have one custodian assigned to each Bulk Storage and Issue Point. They now control access to their spaces, and can be held accountable for all items placed in their care,” said Price.

Individual Storage

Individual storage was also established for Seabees to store their infantry equipment once it was issued to them. New custom-designed Delta lockers were stacked four-high onto a large powered mobile system. Each locker is assigned to an individual and they are responsible for securing and accounting for their gear.

“Financial responsibility now lies with the individual,” he said. “Consequently, there is less loss and replacement costs for the government. If an individual loses an item through carelessness, they have to replace it.”

Learn more about our logistic supply storage.

Tool Room Storage

The ACB-1 Central Tool Room also upgraded security and functionality with lockable fencing, and a high-density mobile system. “The shelving and pegboard helped transform piles of tools on the ground, to a well-maintained, easily accessible stock of equipment,” said Price.

“We’ve saved money and time through our improvements in our storage areas. By condensing our individual and issue storage space we have been able to increase our bulk and equipment staging areas.” said Price. “When preparing for fly-out, we are now confident that our equipment is safe, accessible and ready to go.”