Warehouses should follow certain best practices for effective storage to streamline inventory tracking, optimize space usage, and reduce waste. Consider these warehouse organization tips:
Place items together. This will cut pick times because staff don’t have to travel far between products. For example, office supplies like binders and folders can be stored together, along with electronics.
Organize Your Space
The first step in warehousing storage optimization is to review the layout of your facility. Start by determining your facility’s square footage, subtracting out areas like office space and restrooms, and then adding the racking you plan to use. Generally, it’s best to have racking run long ways rather than in short sections.
Next, organize your inventory by industry. Organizing items by industry will help streamline processes like inventory management and order fulfillment and increase productivity. For example, office supplies, electronics in another area, should be stored together, etc.
Finally, clearing out clutter in your warehouse regularly is a good idea. This will make it easier for workers to navigate your warehouse and reduce product damage and loss. Additionally, regular cleanings will help prevent the buildup of dust that could slow down warehouse processes and even lead to injuries.
Condense Space Usage When Possible
Warehouse management is often one big balancing act, ensuring enough inventory on hand while keeping it organized and accessible within a limited footprint. Using the right storage methods is key to achieving this goal.
For example, minimizing the number of shipping containers a warehouse uses is a good idea. This will help reduce waste and save time because warehouse staff don’t need to spend time deciding which container to use for each item.
It also helps ensure a warehouse has adequate receiving spaces and equipment. It should be big enough to allow the entry of shipments without bottlenecking and properly equipped so that inventory can be logged quickly and accurately. Warehouse managers should also prioritize replenishment of frequently ordered items so that stock doesn’t run out. This will keep the workflow running smoothly and ensure employees can fulfill orders on time.
Use Vertical Storage Solutions
Think of your facility differently: Instead of expanding into more floor space, build upward with efficient vertical storage solutions. These systems allow you to maximize space and improve the accessibility of your inventory by reducing the need for repetitive bending, reaching, or climbing. This helps minimize the risk of muscular-skeletal disorders and allows warehouse staff to work safely and efficiently.
Manual options such as mezzanine platforms and shelving help you utilize overhead space and can be customized to fit your needs. Automated systems like ASRS, AMRs, and conveyors take vertical storage efficiency to the next level by utilizing robotic technology. This increases efficiency, reduces labour costs, and decreases picking times while improving accuracy.
Taking full advantage of your vertical space requires careful planning and organization. It is important to thoroughly analyze your current storage layout, look for inefficiencies, and identify any unused areas that could be transformed into effective vertical storage.
Go Digital
The best warehouses have a high level of organization. They prioritize safety for employees and equipment by keeping all workspaces clear of clutter. This prevents collisions, reduces inventory damage risk, and allows unobstructed movement for people and vehicles.
Warehouse managers can make their workflows even more efficient using a high-density dynamic storage and retrieval solution. This storage system allows them to maximize warehouse space utilization by consolidating and reclaiming wasted space, expanding their footprint without spending money on a brick-and-mortar expansion.
Digital warehousing solutions also allow for greater scalability in warehouse operations. They empower workers by providing data analytics that reveal inefficiencies and potential ways forward. This allows warehouses to improve and stay competitive continuously in an ever-changing business landscape.
