Everybody recognizes that you need the right trucks and logistics partners for an efficient supply chain process. What many people don’t realize, though, is that you also need to have the right warehouse design to ensure efficient operations. Warehouse design works hand in hand with the other aspects of logistics to maximize efficiency.
Set up a “frequently picked” zone near the front of the warehouse to minimize travel time for your material handling crew. If you have the space, consider keeping a small supply right in the packing area or next to the dispatch desk to eliminate excessive travel time. You can replenish the supply at regular intervals, at the end of each shift, or by using Kanban cards to keep the material flowing. Consider storing items that are often picked together next to one another to further minimize travel. If you cut down on even a few trips per shift per item, your productivity could soar.
Designate a Zone for Frequently Used Items
Set up a “frequently picked” zone near the front of the warehouse to minimize travel time for your material handling crew. If you have the space, consider keeping a small supply right in the packing area or next to the dispatch desk to eliminate excessive travel time. You can replenish the supply at regular intervals, at the end of each shift, or by using Kanban cards to keep the material flowing. Consider storing items that are often picked together next to one another to further minimize travel. If you cut down on even a few trips per shift per item, your productivity could soar.
Use the Right Racking System to Increase Productivity
Racks come in multiple designs to help improve productivity. If you have items with expiration dates, consider using gravity feed racks to keep the goods in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order. Gravity racks deliver the oldest package or pallet directly to the picking site, so you can reduce travel time and time wasted looking for the right lot or expiration date. Automatic storage and retrieval systems, drive-in racks and conveyors can also improve productivity. Remember, you don’t have to replace all your racks at once. Updating a few areas to more efficient racks can have a significant impact on productivity. What’s more, if you upgrade a few each year, your productivity could be on a continuous upswing.
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