August 17, 2022
Opening your first warehouse is a huge step for any business owner. Whether you’re just starting your business or expanding, having your own warehouse will bring many opportunities, but it will also come with some challenges.
Getting things off to a good start with an organised space will help you run a more efficient operation. You’ll save time, money and stress, while making sure your space is safe and productive for your employees.
Learn the basics of warehouse organisation that will take you from your first warehouse, and stay with you as your business grows.
Warehouse organisation is vital for optimising your operations, ensuring efficiency for your business. When your warehouse has been organised correctly, it makes it easier to find items, reduce fulfilment errors and ensure the space in your warehouse is used effectively.
An organised warehouse will also create a more pleasant working environment, ensuring you maintain health and safety and give your employees the space to work more productively.
The layout of your warehouse can play a big role in how efficiently it functions. By mapping out the space carefully, you can increase accessibility and minimise any unnecessary movement. Some of the best tips for creating the ideal warehouse layout include:
Planning your warehouse design carefully will help create the optimal space from the outset, reducing the risk of teething problems that could impact your workflow.
Having the right equipment will help keep your warehouse organised and productive. Some items you’ll need include durable shelving units, Mecalux pallet racking systems, bins and barcode scanners. Depending on the size of your operations, you might also need to consider investing in forklifts and conveyor systems. Even if you don’t need these items from the beginning, ensure your layout can accommodate them if you decide that additional equipment is required further down the line.
One of the key principles of warehouse organisation is to ensure that every item has a place. Having clear, labelled locations for all products, tools and equipment can make a huge difference to workers looking for the things they need. Use consistent labelling and numbering systems across your warehouse to help everyone get used to where things are.
Remember to use the ‘first in, first out’ (FIFO) method, to manage your inventory to help reduce waste.
Efficient task flow can help keep your warehouse working effectively. Consider the key processes within your warehouse and how they’re being carried out. If there are bottlenecks or any areas that aren’t working as they should, make some changes.
All employees should have training to help them understand the processes involved, and how they can pick and pack products accordingly. The smoother your workflow, the less likely it is that you’ll encounter errors, reducing stress for everyone.
Health and safety should always be your main priority. Poor organisation could lead to accidents, injuries and disruptions to your workflow - costing your business money. Always ensure all walkways and exits are kept clear, ensure equipment is maintained and that employees are given appropriate manual handling training.
The Health and Safety Executive has some excellent resources to help you maintain warehouse health and safety.
It’s important to remember that warehouse organisation is an ongoing process. Ensuring your business stays clean will help maintain order, while making your warehouse a more pleasant working environment. Regular clean-ups and audits can help ensure everything is where it should be, and alert you to any issues with inventory. Outline organisational processes for your employees and address any problems as they arise. Simple habits, such as tidying up at the end of the shift and regular restocks can help keep things consistent, setting principles that can be followed as your operations expand.
Whether you’re starting small or you’re fitting out a major warehouse, organisation can make have a huge impact on the way things operate. Not only will the right organisation help you run your business more efficiently, but it can help ensure employee safety and wellbeing, which are key to running a productive business. Explore ways to create the ideal warehouse layout and give your business the space to thrive.
