Warehouse Density Gains: Live from ProMat with Wize Solutions
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In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats live from the show floor at ProMat with Ryan Boucher, Chief Operating Officer of Wize Solutions. Ryan shares how Wize began as a scrappy group of college students installing pallet racks and evolved into a 500+ person company leading large-scale warehouse installations across the U.S. The conversation explores Wize’s journey, its recent acquisition in Arizona, and its pivotal role in the rise of automation and densified warehouse solutions.
Ryan highlights how Wize is helping customers reimagine existing warehouse footprints by supporting high-density systems like AS/RS and shuttle solutions, transforming one million square foot facilities into threefold storage powerhouses. At the heart of Wize’s success? A deep investment in their people and precision in every installation.
From College Side Hustle to National Install Leader
Wize Solutions started small, really small. “A bunch of college kids, myself and others included, got together and would go to school in the morning, in the afternoon, and then at night we’d go into these warehouses,” Ryan recalls. Today, the company manages installations for 90% of the products seen at trade shows like ProMat.
Originally focused on pallet racking, Wize expanded to include dock and door equipment and automated systems. Strategic acquisitions in California and, most recently, Arizona have allowed the company to reduce travel costs and serve customers with a more localized workforce. “Now we have a local presence, which is a cost-saving method for everybody,” Ryan says.
Precision Installations for a High-Tech Future
The shift from standard racking to highly automated solutions has required Wize to level up its technical expertise. As Ryan notes, “It’s a more technical type of installation. You’ve gotta be more precise when you’re going hundreds of feet in the air with systems—and robots are running on systems.”
With installations now requiring tight tolerances and greater coordination, Wize has adjusted its training, safety protocols, and hiring practices. This commitment ensures their teams meet the high standards demanded by automation clients across sectors like e-commerce and food & beverage. “We’re not just sending anybody to people’s projects. They’re people that we’ve vetted, and they’re safe for themselves, but more importantly, they’re safe for their families.”
Warehouse Density Without Breaking Ground
One of the most compelling trends Wize is enabling is the transformation of existing warehouses. According to Ryan, one major client is “taking a million square foot facility and dividing it into thirds.” Adding automation allows each third to store as much or more than the original building. “They’re basically getting like three new warehouses in one existing warehouse,” Ryan explains.
These projects require over 100 installers on-site while operations continue in the other parts of the building. Despite the complexity, the payoff is massive: reduced new construction costs, maximized cube space, and improved fulfillment efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Transformed from a small Salt Lake City team to a 500+ person national company
- Handles installation for 90% of ProMat-represented systems
- Automation enables clients to triple the warehouse density of existing warehouse footprints
- Supports large-scale AS/RS and shuttle system installations
- Maintains rigorous vetting, safety, and training standards for all installers
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
For more information on Wize Solutions, check out their website and follow them on LinkedIn.
To connect with Ryan on LinkedIn, click here.
Email: sales@wizesolutions.com
For more information about warehouse density, check out the podcasts below.
MHI Industry Group Series: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
506: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) with Element Logic
MHI Industry Group Series: Insights from the Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA)
