If you run a business where the use of powerful and expensive tools is a daily occurrence, then if you don’t have one already, it may be wise to invest in a tool crib. Tool cribs are basically large and secure areas where tools are kept. An effective tool crib is one that is designed to house all your important tools so that they can be easily located when required. In the case of large companies with enormous amounts of tools, tool crib management may also be a requirement.
Do You Need a Tool Crib?
A company that relies on tools for the day to day running of its business will need to keep a track of them to ensure that they are kept in a safe place when not in use. It is easy for tools to go on the missing list; they can be stolen, lost, or just misplaced. With a tool crib that is effectively managed, tools should always be returned to their designated location after use.
What to Look for in a Tool Crib
If you need a such a solutions for your business, you could possibly build your own or else purchase one that suits your requirements. You can get them custom made to suit with one, two, three, or four walls, and they can come either with or without ceilings.
Depending on the size of your business and the location where you want to place the tool storage solution, you can decide whether doors that swing out or slide are a better option for you. You can choose the type of storage you require based on the type and number of tools that you have.
One of the most important things to look for in a tool crib is space. You need enough space to store your tools and to organize them according to the type of tool and its function. With proper organization, everyone will be able to find what they are looking for with minimum delay, ultimately saving your business money that could occur due to lost time trying to locate misplaced tools.
Who Will Manage Your Tool Crib?
Management of your tool crib is another important consideration before you buy. There is no point in setting up a tool crib and organizing your tools unless someone can manage the area and ensure that tools are returned after use.
You may want to give this job to someone already employed in your business or look at hire a new staff member to specifically take care of this job. This will obviously depend on the size of your business and whether tool crib management in your company could sustain a full-time role.
There can be quite a lot of work involved with tool crib management. For a start, an inventory of all your tools will need to be created in the first instance. Tools will need to be assigned a number and location so that they can be easily tracked. When they are checked out, the number will be placed on the work order. Doing this ensures that the tool cannot be taken and used for another job without being returned to its bin location first.
A tool crib is an effective and convenient way to manage your valuable tools and to ensure that they are used only as required by the employees in your company. Getting employees to sign the tools out and back in again will reduce the chance of them being mislaid, lost, or even stolen.
