Driving digital excellence in silo racking
Industrial storage requirements are evolving rapidly, demanding solutions that are not only structurally sound but also technologically advanced. At stow, we pride ourselves on being a global leader in racking products and systems, seamlessly blending our expansive international presence with a deep understanding of complex market needs. As supply chains become more sophisticated, the infrastructure supporting them must also adapt, leveraging digital innovation to maximize efficiency and reliability.
This digital transformation is particularly evident within our silo department. By integrating advanced digital workflows into our engineering and project management processes, we are redefining how large-scale storage facilities are designed and constructed. Our commitment to digital excellence ensures that every project benefits from precision engineering, streamlined collaboration, and optimized material usage.
In this post, we will explore how stow applies digital excellence to the design and implementation of silo racking systems. From the initial contract signing to the final construction phase, you will learn how our innovative approaches and strategic partnerships result in highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable storage solutions.
The digital journey from contract to 3D model
The creation of a state-of-the-art storage facility begins long before any physical construction takes place. When a customer signs a contract with stow, we immediately initiate a comprehensive digital process. This detailed calculation and modelling phase forms the foundation of the entire project.
Our engineering teams utilize advanced software to build a highly accurate 3D model of the proposed racking system. Everything is mapped out digitally, ensuring that structural integrity and spatial efficiency are prioritized from day one. This proactive approach minimizes errors and streamlines the transition from concept to reality.
For our customers, the primary benefit of this digital journey is complete transparency and visualization. The customer can already see the warehouse in 3D before it is built in real life. This early visualization allows stakeholders to understand the scale, layout, and functionality of their facility, ensuring that the final product perfectly aligns with their operational expectations.
stow’s expertise in self-supporting racks and silos
With over 45 years of market knowledge and industry expertise, our specialist team provides tailored racking solutions for a wide variety of storage needs. While stow is globally recognized for producing traditional racking for pallets and small boxes, our capabilities extend significantly into the realm of clad racks and silos.
A silo, or clad rack, is a unique architectural and engineering concept where the racking itself serves as the building. Instead of constructing a conventional warehouse shell and installing racks inside, the storage structure is engineered to bear the loads of the building enclosure. It is a completely self-supporting rack.
Because the racking forms the structural core, construction becomes highly efficient. You simply have to apply the cladding to the outside, and the building is complete. This method drastically reduces construction time and costs while maximizing the internal storage volume, making it an ideal solution for automated, high-density storage applications.
Collaboration for innovation through the A.C.T.I.O.N.S. project
Our commitment to leadership is reflected in our culture of ownership, where proactive innovation drives our external actions. To continually push the boundaries of structural engineering, stow actively collaborates with industry experts and academic institutions. A prime example of this collaborative spirit is our involvement in the A.C.T.I.O.N.S. project, an initiative facilitated by the “Logistics in Wallonia” cluster.
We partnered with the engineering firm GDTech, as well as the University of Liège (ULiège) and the metallurgical research centre CRM. This powerful consortium was assembled with a clear, unified objective: to provide advanced solutions that optimize stow structures.
By pooling our collective technical expertise, we were able to validate the rigorous calculation methods that stow uses today and will use in the future. GDTech played a crucial role in helping us confirm these models, ensuring that as we push our structures to their absolute limits, we remain safely within the bounds of structural integrity.
The three pillars of structural optimization
During the A.C.T.I.O.N.S. project, our collaborative efforts focused on three main technical pillars to enhance our digital and structural capabilities.
- Optimizing 3D models and drawings
The first pillar focuses on optimizing 3D models and the subsequent production of technical drawings. By refining how these digital assets are generated, we can accelerate the design phase and improve the accuracy of the blueprints sent to manufacturing. This streamlined workflow reduces lead times and ensures high-quality outputs. - Automating calculations for structural efficiency
The second pillar involves automating complex calculations. By automating these essential engineering tasks, our teams can rapidly evaluate multiple design iterations to find the most efficient structural configuration. This ensures that every beam and frame is used to its maximum potential without compromising safety. - Calculating particular and fatigue loadsThe third pillar addresses the highly specific dynamic forces experienced by automated warehouses. We focused on calculating particular loads, such as fatigue loads caused by the continuous movement of automated shuttles. Accurately modelling these stresses is vital for ensuring long-term reliability and durability.
Moving beyond standard Eurocodes with innovative solutions
Regulatory standards provide a baseline for safety, but digital excellence requires us to aim higher. stow offers innovative building solutions that combine racking and self-supporting structures in ways that go beyond standard Eurocode requirements.
Because our self-supporting silos are subjected to unique environmental forces—such as wind, snow, and even earthquakes—alongside internal dynamic loads, our engineering must be exceptionally robust. The validation of our calculation methods through collaborative partnerships allows us to confidently design structures that exceed conventional standards, delivering unmatched safety and performance.
Tangible benefits for cost, efficiency, and the environment
The integration of advanced digital modelling and structural optimization yields significant advantages. The two primary benefits are the optimization of storage structures and improved overall efficiency.
By precisely calculating load distributions and structural limits, we can reduce the amount of steel used. This material efficiency translates directly into cost savings, making large-scale silo projects more economically viable.
Reducing steel consumption also has a positive environmental impact. Since steel production and transport are energy-intensive, minimizing material use lowers the overall carbon footprint. This demonstrates that economic efficiency and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Driving sustainability and digital excellence forward
Digital excellence at stow begins at the very start of a project, working closely with the customer, and continues through to final implementation. By embracing digital workflows, 3D visualization, and advanced structural optimization, we continuously drive innovation in engineering and project management.
Our refined calculation methods enable us to build self-supporting silos that reduce material usage, lower costs, and support sustainability. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of industrial storage while ensuring consistent performance and exceptional customer support.
If your organization is ready to optimize its supply chain infrastructure with advanced, digitally engineered storage solutions, reach out to our specialist team today.
