“It’s not just shelving — it’s a Systems Solution” Feeling Boxed In? Smart systems can reveal hidden capacity within your existing space
Part 1
Is this you Today? .. Are you wasting space in your warehouse? How do you know you are wasting space? Business devastation happens when products are not stored correctly. Remember, “everything in its place, and a place for everything”.
So that you can find hidden space in your existing storage facility, examine the key questions that you should ask regarding evaluating your space (the discovery phase).
These are relevant to the sort of business you have— (pick and pack) or your Market (e commerce, automotive, clothing etc…).
What troubles your operation today or anticipated in the future?
Out of space, inefficient order fulfillment, poor location system, new business and/or SKU”s, acquisition/merger/consolidation?
Consider industrial shelving, steel shelving and metal shelves.
Does layout of storage equipment provide maximum capacity and thru—put efficiency? Review aisle size and equipment orientation between docks as well as flow between reserve, prime locations and independent functions.
Are products in the correct storage medium/equipment?(floor-vs-rack-vs-shelving; static-vs-rolling-vs-automated)
Are you using the wrong storage medium for the product today?
Plan for each phase from Receiving –Storage — Conveying- Packaging to Shipping
Quick mover vs slow movers
What is your overall logistics plan?
Is inventory located/subdivided/slotted correctly? (small parts/split case in shelving — large parts/full case in rack; proper days supply in prime and reserve location)
Is available square and cubic space being utilized properly?(Can capacity be increased by building out and/or up using the existing footprint;)
Do we have cubic space to grow into?
Do we see empty space we can utilize?
What is your inventory cost/square or cubic foot? Remember, building up can reduce this cost by half.
What is your competitors’ cost?
This slide from “Marcus & Millichap Research Services” shows that the availability of warehouse space is going down.
This slide from “Loopnet research” shows that the cost of warehouse space is going up.
Industrial shelving, steel shelving and metal shelves can help you optimize the space that you have an give you an outstanding ROI.
Should you stay or should you go?
Compare real estate cost to material handling cost.
How long can existing building meet the business needs?
Can the business afford a relocation based on space and/or labor cost?
Arising issues may have devastating effects on your business:
- A company that could not ship in time because the warehouse wasn’t properly organized missed the Christmas rush — and its hefty sales.
- Site visit to pick and pack e-commerce account was complete disaster (Similar to a QVC)
Multiple issues:
- Safety: inventory organization because the correct storage medium was not used for the specific product being stored.
- Flow issues: bottle necking with pick carts.
Result:
Unable to meet shipping dates and promises (holiday season orders tripled and it just got worse). Orders cancelled — reputation on the line.
Evaluate your existing space & current storage systems:
What is your new challenge? You must have a good understanding. Those who didn’t take this into consideration often had to resort to crisis management.
Shelving can be designed more for the product where you know the exact location in the warehouse VS the product where you know it is generally inside of the warehouse. Amazon is aware of where the product is — a software solution helps them with this. But, in every day storage (in non-Amazon operations), rarely there is full awareness of the products’ exact location.
Inventory management for space challenged.
Rack and shelving are a winning solution when utilized correctly.
To find the right combination is key to solve a client’s inventory issue. Industrial shelving, steel shelving and metal shelves are used by the best financially performing businesses.
When your needs change: mergers and combined operations.
Maintain the flexibility to create new storage options within existing facilities, be ready to make correctional changes without going through complete overhauls.
Industrial shelving, steel shelving and metal shelves bring outstanding flexibility to a warehouse space.
As the economy strengthens and our consumer basis group that we’re targeting, people want to be more one-shop so it’s done. As a result, multiple storage medium options become more important. Add industrial shelving and platforms into your mix.
Should you move up or move out??
Often it’s better to move up, not out: increasing space without new construction — these are the benefits of multi-level systems:
- Maximizing existing space is better for environment
- Maximizing existing space can be cost-effective
Where do I start? How do I know when my problems are bigger than normal? How do I determine when it is time to act?
How do I determine the correct storage medium?
Investigate how industrial shelving, steel shelving and metal shelves from Western Pacific Storage Solutions can help you stay put, lower your costs and improve your profits.
For more information visit : Western Pacific Storage Solutions
