Managing a warehouse is never an easy feat. Whether a business can have a warehouse simply for its inventory as a retailer, or have one for shipping purposes as a supplier, managing a warehouse is challenging and requires proper resources and systems.
Furthermore, if the latter holds, management of the warehouse becomes even more challenging. Among all other performance indicators you must strive to achieve, efficiency should always be at the forefront.
An efficient warehouse is a key to customer satisfaction. Positive effects like on-time delivery, good-quality products, and even lower costs are only a few of the many that can be achieved by having an efficient warehouse racking system and high-quality pallet racking solutions, such as those from Stackit.
Having efficiency means your warehouse racking is the best for your needs, preferences, and operations, maximizing the space and time you have, all without compromising on the quality of the warehouse’s performance.
An efficient warehouse racking system can easily be achieved by observing these dos and don’ts.
classic warehouse with pallet 3d rendering image
Table of Contents
The Do’s
Do Invest In Good Pallet Racks
What’s a warehouse racking system without good-quality pallet racks? While you may be tempted to cut down on your budget and opt for cheaper pallet racks, doing so may only wreak havoc on your entire system. It may be more expensive in the long run when you frequently purchase new racks due to frequent damage.
That said, ensure you get high-quality pallet racking solutions for your warehouse. Good-quality pallet racks should also hold up to the weight you need to carry in your warehouse. Consider the weight of the items each pallet is meant to carry, so you’re sure to ask your supplier for the right one.
Do Remember: Every Square Inch Counts
Every square inch counts in warehouse efficiency, whether you have a big or small warehouse. The goal is still the same: to free the aisles and floors of any congestion so that warehouse staff and machinery can move freely. Any obstruction can also be a safety hazard.
Making every square inch count means maximizing the vertical space you have in your warehouse. The racks you use should be durable enough to withstand layer after layer of piling. Moreover, the racks’ size should also be such that they fit the shelves perfectly; no space is wasted with racks that are either too big or too small.
Do Embrace Technology
If, in the past, your warehouse only used a manual system, now’s the time to automate. This entails using a good warehouse management system to keep track of matters like what racks are full, which ones are empty, whether there are broken racks, whether there is a shipment coming through, what stocks need to be replenished, and so on.
When you think about ‘efficiency,’ one of the first descriptions that usually comes to mind is doing more for a shorter, or at least the same period. It doesn’t just save your team a lot of time but makes them happier when they’re no longer swamped with so much manual work.
Most importantly, automation also translates to a lower likelihood of manual error. It’s taxing and time-consuming for your team to review work and re-do everything after discovering errors.
This is the day and age of information through automation. Keep up and let go of those outdated processes you may still be clinging to for your warehouse racking.
The Don’ts
Don’t Let Your Inventory Pile Up
Apart from ordering only what your business needs to satisfy inventory demands, it’s a must to have the mindset that all your inventory should always have a place to go. If you can’t find space in your warehouse for an inventory you’re keeping, there could be a problem with your warehouse racking.
Explore this train of thought first before going as far as thinking your warehouse size is no longer enough.
This is also why automation is crucial. A good software or system can also contribute to making you better able to track and monitor your inventory.
Don’t Stack Racks Without A Layout
Your warehouse layout is like the blueprint or foundation of a building. Don’t just pile racks on top of another without drafting a layout first. Having one ensures your racking system is the most efficient for your warehouse.
With a proper layout, you’ll be able to put the items most commonly reached for on the front and the less popular ones at the back. This makes it easier for your warehouse staff to retrieve certain items whenever new orders have been made.
The Bottom line
Achieving an efficient warehouse racking system is about timely inbound and outbound delivery execution and an overall seamless workflow. When you think of it, a business warehouse is at the heart of every business activity. If it fails, the operations stumble as well.
Even the best marketing and sales campaigns will still fall flat when warehouse efficiency isn’t up to mark. Keep this at the forefront of your efforts to improve your warehouse from today.
