Whatever the kind of business enterprise, if it produces goods to go out to customers or it brings in goods for the same purpose, then a certain amount of storage and warehouse operation may well be needed. There are of course public storage facilities these days, you see them in the most unlikely locations, stuck just off a major dual carriageway or next to a massive out of town retail park. In essence they are invaluable to those families and individuals who find themselves in properties smaller than their pocessions actually require and so space is needed, fairly sharpish. These storage warehouses are great for being able to safely pack away family documents and very precious photographs. The terms are generally monthly and the customer has some kind of security code to enter their ‘boxes’ as needed.
On the other hand, a huge company dealing with very high cost imports for example, will usually need to use a bonded warehouse that is licensed to store imported goods until deferred customs & excise formalitites have been completed and all taxes and duties paid. The goods are then considered to be free for onward distribution. There are also hazard material warehouses which are generally referred to as Hazmat. These will be equipped and manned by trained personnel to comply with the strictest of safety measures to meet import regulations for the storage of dangerous chemicals and materials.