Efficient warehouses are an integral part of any supply chain — but despite their importance, not all of them are up to standards.
It’s estimated that more than 40 percent of small businesses use manual inventory tracking or don’t track their inventory at all. Fewer than 30 percent of managers believe having an efficient warehouse will help to drive business growth.
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An Efficient Warehouse Layout
Why is an efficient warehouse layout so essential to allow you to run a successful business? At its core, an efficient plan is designed to help you get the most work done with the least amount of effort and in the least amount of time. Here are a few examples of an efficient warehouse layout:
- Disperse your safety signs and equipment evenly throughout the warehouse — they need to be easily visible and accessible to everyone.
- Store pallet trucks, both manual and electric, in a central location, so your crew doesn’t have to run around the warehouse hunting for one when they need it because someone on a different shift didn’t put it back when they were done.
- Evenly space out selective pallet racks so that staff can access them from either side, and so multiple loading and unloading crews can be efficiently working at the same time.
Again, these are just a few examples of an efficient warehouse layout. Your final design will depend on the kind of product you’re storing and shipping, as well as the size of your existing warehouse.
An Efficient Warehouse Starts With the Right Tools
Setting up an efficient warehouse starts with having the right tools in their proper place. Here are some essentials:
- Floor safety tape: Safety tape marks safe and unsafe areas on the warehouse floor to reduce workplace accidents.
- Collapsible containers: Strategically store product in stacks or individually in racks while maximizing space at the same time.
- Manual pallet trucks: Safely transport product throughout a warehouse facility using this very economical and staple product.
- Pallet truck stops: Whether in the back of a trailer truck or a warehouse setting, pallet truck stops will prevent pallet jacks from rolling out of their designated place.
- Rack protectors and safety guards: Ensure employee safety as well as protect the valuable inventory stocked in you warehouse racking and shelves.
- Safety equipment and signs: Safety signs and equipment should be easily accessible and easily visible.
- Pallet racks and beams: Maximize the space and safety in your warehouse with quality uprights and beams.
- Wire decking: Wire decks provide extra support for laden pallets and also improve fire safety standards.
- Plastic pallets: Unlike standard wood pallets, plastic pallets are washable, safer to handle, longer lasting, and provide a cleaner workplace environment.
- Fully electric pallet stackers: Lift and place product on higher level racks without having to bring in a forklift or other heavy machinery.
- Semi-electric pallet stackers: For lighter duty loading and unloading projects, the semi-electric pallet stackers are a convenient, low cost alternative to the fully electric stackers.
- Electric pallet trucks: Transport heavy laden pallets with the toggle of a switch or a push of a button.
- Lift tables: Keep employees safe by preventing injuries due to heavy lifting or repetitive motion.
Each of the described material-handling tools play an important role in helping to provide a safe, clean, and efficient warehouse. Need help with determining what other products or equipment you may need to further enhance your company’s safety processes and production capacity? Then give Cherry’s Industrial a call at 877-350-2729. We look forward to serving you.