How to Create a Warehouse Layout That Optimizes Flow and Accessibility
With people becoming more and more dependent on consumer goods, online shipping is the norm. Digital marketplaces provide shoppers with comfortable spaces to buy the things they need. The best thing about them is that they don’t require consumers to leave their homes.
The rise in online shopping means that businesses have to find spaces to store products, so they can be quickly and efficiently shipped out. Enter warehouses. Warehouses are safe, secure, and generally large enough to accommodate enough stock to last a business several months. This post tells you how you can optimize your business’s warehouse for flow and accessibility.
Contents
Quality Equipment
If you want to design the best warehouse you can, start by investing in high-quality equipment. The kind of equipment available in your warehouse will have a significant impact on the efficiency and productivity of your staff. You will need a vertical material lift, as well as several forklifts, and lots of storage space. You can hire a consultant to help you figure out what type of equipment is needed in your warehouse.
Define Objectives
What are your objectives as a warehouse owner or manager? Until you define them, you won’t be able to direct your employees effectively. Responsible and thoughtful management is essential if you plan on running a warehouse.
Lapses in judgment or mistakes can not only delay your warehouse’s operations, but also lead to workers injuring themselves. If you are unsure how to run a warehouse yourself, you can hire a consultant to help you.
Create Sections
In a well-run warehouse, you will find sections. Segmenting your warehouse into various zones is one of the best ways to ensure it runs properly. There should be an area for picking, packing, and shipping, as well as receiving.
If you are unsure how to segment your warehouse, you can hire a consultant, as suggested above. A consultant’s support will be very helpful and make it a lot easier for you to keep your warehouse running efficiently.
Appoint Managers
In your warehouse, there needs to be lots of different managers. Every single department needs its own manager. Having various managers working in your warehouse ensures that teams are run properly. You cannot singlehandedly supervise all of your warehouse’s teams.
It is much better to have managers, who can report back to you and let you know how your warehouse is performing, and what areas need improvement.
Designate Zones
As stated above, there needs to be shipping and receiving zones in your warehouse. If your warehouse is very busy, it is important to separate shipping and receiving bays. If these bays are confused, shipments could get mixed up, and loading and unloading could be unnecessarily delayed.
The process of designating zones is relatively simple, and all you need is two large garage doors in your warehouse, for incoming and outgoing shipments to report to.
Increase Aisle Width
Aisle width is something else you need to think about. If you want a warehouse that is efficiently designed, you need as much aisle width as you can get. The more, the better. More aisle width means employees will be free to move around without bumping into each other.
It also means forklifts will be able to maneuver your warehouse floor with less difficulty. You can increase aisle width by moving shelving units back (or buying narrower shelving units if you have a fixed amount of space and can’t move them back without decreasing the size of other aisles).
Train Employees
While not directly related to your warehouse’s layout, you need to make sure employees are properly trained in how to work safely in a warehouse. If employees do not behave responsibly, they could end up injuring each other.
As stated above, warehouses can be very dangerous. Accidents in workplaces are alarmingly frequent. Training employees helps to prevent accidents from happening, and reduces your liability.
Proper Lighting
In a warehouse, proper lighting is important. Under no circumstances should you run a dimly lit warehouse. A warehouse without proper lighting is a risk to everyone working in it, especially if heavy machinery is operated inside of it.
Proper lighting is not a hard thing to ensure. Simply make sure each aisle is lit by bright LED lamps. Take time to ensure that your warehouse’s lighting doesn’t get in the way if you plan on using standing lamps. Overhead lights are much better as they consume less space.
Plan for the Future
Do you want to scale your business up in the future? If the answer is yes, then plan for the future. Planning for the future means investing in a warehouse that is slightly larger than your business’s current needs require. Investing in a larger warehouse than you need will help you to plan for the future and prevent you from having to worry about changing locations if you do decide to scale up in the future.
Invest In Security
Security is very important. If you do not take steps to protect your warehouse, your business could fall victim to theft. Commercial burglaries are not uncommon. If your warehouse stocks expensive equipment, there is a chance that criminals could intentionally target it, so they can steal it from you. There are many different security measures you can invest in, from cameras to armed guards and even dog patrols.
The best way to find the right security measures for your warehouse is to enlist the support of a security consultant. A security consultant can work closely with you to make sure that your needs are met.
Regulatory Compliance
If you are in charge of a warehouse, there are certain regulations that you have to comply with. Failing to adhere to industry regulations can lead to your business getting into a lot of trouble. The likely outcome of breaking industry regulations is fines or penalties being levied against your business. Make sure your warehouse adheres to all industry safety regulations, so you don’t get fined, and so workplace injuries don’t happen.
Your warehouse’s layout needs to be optimized for performance. If you are having a hard time doing this, you can always use guides like this one, or get in touch with a consultant and ask for their help. Make sure that you furnish your warehouse with the best equipment you can afford.
