Making Your Warehouse Work Harder. Today, Tomorrow, and for the Long Term
At Thistle Systems, everything we do comes back to one simple principle.
We exist to make our clients’ businesses better.
That belief shapes how we work with our clients, how we design storage solutions and how we think long term. It’s why we talk about clients for life, not one-off projects.
It’s also the foundation of our Max the Cube® approach. A practical, honest way to help your business make better use of your space, time, and investment, whatever stage you are at.
One size never fits all in warehousing
Automation is the future of warehousing. We believe that wholeheartedly. But we also understand a reality that’s often overlooked.
Every business is on a different timeline.
For some, automation is the right move today. For others, it might be six months away, three years away, or not the right solution at all yet.
Budget constraints, building limitations, throughput requirements, SKU profiles, or simply operational complications all play a part.
Our role isn’t to sell you a solution. It’s to help and guide you to make the right, well-informed decision for your business, right now, while keeping one eye firmly on the future.
Max the Cube® – start with what matters most
Max the Cube® is not about a specific solution or technology. It’s a mindset.
It starts with a simple question.
“How do we make better use of the space, resources, and data you already have?”
That could mean:
- improving layout efficiency
- increasing storage density
- reducing travel distances
- improving pick accuracy
Or in other words, designing a solution that performs better today but won’t limit you tomorrow.
Sometimes the answer is automation. Sometimes it isn’t. What matters is that the solution genuinely improves your operation and delivers a positive ROI.
Thistle Systems – Why we offer a full spectrum of storage solutions. Not just automation
With over 30 years of experience, we’ve designed and installed almost every type of storage solution used in modern warehousing.
That includes:
- Standard APR pallet racking for reliable, cost-effective storage
- Dynamic storage solutions, such as push-back and live storage to increase density and flow
- Mezzanine floors to unlock vertical space without expanding the footprint
- Picking towers and multi-level pick modules for high-SKU environments
- Shuttle-based systems for lower SKUs that require higher throughput and density
- Mobile racking solutions – for high SKUs, high density stock with slower throughput
- Fully automated storage and robotic picking solutions where volumes and use cases justify it
Because we work with this entire spectrum of storage solutions, we’re not locked into one answer. We can step back, properly assess your operation, and recommend what will actually deliver value and the best ROI.
Designing for today. Planning for tomorrow
One of the areas where clients see the biggest long-term benefit is future-proofing their warehouse.
We are always looking for ways to design manual or semi-automated systems that can later transition to higher levels of automation. That might mean:
- Structural layouts that allow automated shuttles to be added later
- Racking configurations designed for future automation compatibility
- Clear expansion paths that avoid costly re-work
- Software and data considerations built in from day one
This approach protects your investment. It means today’s solution doesn’t become tomorrow’s limitation – and today’s investment has to be written off.
Clients for life. Not one-off projects
Your business doesn’t stand still, and neither does your warehouse. Volumes change. Product ranges evolve. Buildings get repurposed. Expected lead times shorten. Labour markets shift. Technology advances. Client demands – well, let’s just say they get more demanding.
That’s why we focus on building long-term partnerships and long-term solutions.
Being a client for life means you have a trusted partner who understands your operation, your constraints, and your goals. Someone you can come back to as your business grows, changes, or faces new challenges. Someone you can call on for the right advice or to ask that niggling question.
Sometimes that leads to automation. Sometimes it leads to optimisation of what’s already in place. Either way, the objective is the same. Continuous improvement.
Honest advice. Technical depth. Commercial focus
Our clients value us because we combine:
- Technical expertise across manual, semi-automated, and automated systems
- Commercial realism grounded in ROI, risk, and operational impact
- A practical approach focused on solving problems, not selling products
Automation is powerful. But the right solution, at the right time, delivered in the right way, is what is most important to us – that’s what truly makes a business better.
Let Us Help Your Make your business better
Max the Cube® is about unlocking value from every cubic metre of your warehouse. Whether that’s achieved through smarter racking, better layouts, scalable systems, or full automation depends on your journey.
Our job is to help you navigate that journey.
Not just today. But for the long term.
If you’re thinking about improving space utilisation, performance, or future-proofing your warehouse, we’re always happy to have a conversation. No pressure. Just practical, informed advice focused on making your business better.
Give us a call on 01236 45388 or use our contact form to start the conversation.
