Setting up your warehouse in an organized and efficient way is beneficial for various reasons. the whole process of performing the business, from procuring to storing, retrieving and shipping.
Not only does it help with time and inventory control management but also smoothens the Good warehouse management could have a great impact on the productivity of your business. While this is simple to ignore, the truth is that being organized could benefit you in numerous ways.
It can:
- Aid in maximizing the available storage space effectively.
- Help save time
- Help in the proper monitoring of stock
- Benefit you financially by reducing your overhead costs.
While the above-mentioned advantages will help your business, they can only be achieved by implementing some simple steps within the workflow. Here are the best ways through which you can achieve a properly managed warehouse inventory.
1. Plan the Warehouse Space
Every square foot of space in the warehouse costs money in electricity, rent, and other utility bills. Any inch inappropriately used by the workforce also costs money in effort and time.
By planning the warehouse space effectively, you are going to create the most efficient routes for your workers and stock, therefore saving time and money.
Better yet, you won’t run out of storage space quickly. Safety hazards could also be mitigated through this method since there’s adequate room for forklifts and other hauling machinery to move around the premises.
Within the items, you might also want to use an 80-20 rule. This involves the creation of a space within the storage area for items that make up the top 20% of total sales for 80% of all orders you receive so that they are easy to pick.
While this might be a lot to implement at the beginning, this technique could increase the productivity of the pickers. It is also crucial that this area accommodates immense traffic since it will be the most used section.
2. Arrange Your Warehouse Properly
Linking to the first point, there’s a certain stock that will be used more often than other stock. Be sure to plan your warehouse with these aspects in mind.
Do not store the most commonly used commodities at a distant corner of your warehouse. They should be placed where they are easy to access. By prioritizing your fast-moving commodities, you will reduce the time required to load and offload.
Putting the less often purchased commodities higher up, in the narrow aisles, or in difficult-to-access areas of the warehouse could aid in maximizing productivity and space, making the fast-moving commodities easy to access and in close proximity to your loading zone.
Product weight and size is also another important factor in how you will organize the warehouse.
3. Plan Beforehand For The Different Demands
Businesses have various seasonal demands so be sure to plan ahead and properly for yours. Some periods of the year will be busier than others, so make sure your stock levels are a reflection of the same.
Predict the demand with respect to historical trends and ensure the stock is maintained at an optimal level for that period.
a. Be Adaptable
Business needs change as time passes by. What might have worked for your business and warehouse when you began might not work in the future. Audit your warehouse’s operations every year, keeping updates of all the available stock and what might be missing.
Assess whether changes are required to ensure an effectively run warehouse. If possible, consult your senior staff members and request for suggestions to where improvements could be made.
b. Use Bin Locations
Bin locations are a great way to segment the warehouse in order to create a geographical map of where all stock is placed. These maps could aid in managing things more effectively since your staff will easily know where all products should be located.
A well-designed warehouse must be easy to navigate – even for those who have never been there before – with the help of bin locations.
c. Use Labels
Make sure every piece of stock in your warehouse is labeled. Often known as stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers, these clear labels help to easily identify products before retrieving or shipping them.
You could also utilize a barcode system, depending on the size and needs of the business you’re running. Whatever method you choose to use, make sure it is up to date and that the SKU numbers are not reused inappropriately.
Before storing anything in a warehouse, ensure everything is labeled: docks, shelves, racks, and anything else that is used in storage.
Warehouse label solutions are often designed to meet the specific needs of a warehouse, providing customized options ranging from cold storage labels to retro-reflective labels, multi-level rack labels, hanging warehouse signs, and outdoor signs that can withstand harsh weather elements.
By using the right label solution, you will have a warehouse that’s easy to navigate, packing and picking will be smooth, and general organizational efficiency will increase.
d. Implement Cross-Docking
This is a type of supply chain management process which reduces the shelf storage period of your stock. Basically, cross-docking involves the unloading of materials from an incoming vehicle and immediately loading the same items onto outbound trucks.
This results in a quick turnaround for the business saves money and time. While it isn’t ideal for all situations, it is worth implementing for a specific stock.
e. Train Warehouse Staff Effectively
Staff members who have a good understanding of your warehouse’s inventory system will adhere to it better and consequently run a warehouse more effectively. By employing knowledgeable staff, you will ensure the workforce maintains a well-organized warehouse inventory. Failure to do so means that standards could reduce.
f. Outline Safety Standards and Procedures
A safer warehouse is an efficient warehouse. Ensure you’re implementing frequent training and awareness courses. Staff who are knowledgeable in using warehouse equipment properly will keep your warehouse running efficiently and better managed. In addition, make sure that all danger zones are marked so that safety will be at the forefront of all warehouse workers.
You can also keep the warehouse organized by having frequent cleaning and ensuring all isles are clear of unnecessary items. You should be in a position to walk through all sections of the warehouse at any time and without obstacles.
Having procedures and policies in place for all incoming and outgoing inventory will aid in ensuring that the warehouse is kept organized and that all inventory is properly accounted for.
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