How to Improve Your Business Warehouse Storage

It is not easy to manage a warehouse, especially when you have limited space and inventory is increasing. 

Whether you are a small business owner starting a small-scale warehouse or manage a larger-scale distribution center, your project can ultimately improve your warehousing storage methods and save you time and money. 

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to enhance the efficiency of your warehouse without incurring significant costs.

Smart warehousing storage is not simply finding room for more items to fit; it is creating a system that makes your team more efficient, reduces the chance of error, and keeps your products secure. 

When you see potential improvements in storage methods, you can witness improvements such as faster order fulfilment, fewer mis-picks, better inventory control, and all-around happier customers.

Understanding Your Current Storage Situation

Before making any changes, it’s essential to be clear about what you’re working towards. Closely observe your current warehouse setup and understand what needs correction.

It would be best to start walking through your warehouse during busy times. Watch how your workers move around and notice where they spend the most time. 

Are they walking long distances to find items? Do they struggle to reach products on high shelves? These observations will help you identify the most significant issues first.

Common Storage Problems to Look For

Most warehouses face similar challenges that hurt their efficiency:

• Wasted vertical space – Many warehouses only use the floor area and ignore the space above their heads
• Poor organization – Items scattered randomly without a logical system make finding products difficult
• Narrow aisles – Tight spaces slow down workers and equipment
• Mixed product sizes – Large and small items stored together create inefficient use of space
• Outdated equipment – Old storage systems that don’t match current needs

Maximizing Your Vertical Space

One of the easiest ways to improve warehouse storage is to think upward. Most warehouses have ample unused space above their existing storage areas.

Increasing vertical storage may be as simple as installing higher storage units, which allow you to double or triple your storage capacity without expanding your building. Of course, vertical storage planning must include adequate safety and access considerations.

Safety First When Going Up

As you raise the elevation of storage, worker safety is even more vital. Be sure to have the appropriate equipment, such as scissor lifts or forklifts, if needed, scheduled to reach safe heights. 

Ensure employees are educated on safe work methods when working at heights and follow local safety regulations. The strength of your floor and the storage equipment should also be taken into account. 

Heavier goods should be stored at lower levels, while lighter goods may be stored at higher levels. This will keep your warehouse from becoming unstable and minimize the chances of accidents.

Choosing the Right Racking System

An efficient rack system is the foundation of a successful warehouse store. Your products, warehouse space, and budget determine the type of system that is best suited to your needs. Selective pallet racking is ideal for warehouses that require access to every item. 

This rack system enables you to access any product without disturbing others, making it ideal for organizations with a diverse range of items or fast-moving inventory. 

For warehouses storing massive quantities of similar products, drive-in or push-back rack systems can maximize density. These systems store pallets multiple rows deep, using space more efficiently than selective racking.

Budget-Friendly Racking Options

Not every business can afford brand-new storage systems. Luckily, you can explore budget-friendly warehouse racking second-hand options, which can save you money without compromising quality. Used racking solutions are just as good as new, and often cost 40-60% less than new racks!

When buying racks second-hand, be sure to carefully inspect for visible bumps, dents, rust, and signs of wear and tear. Verify that all safety devices are functioning properly and comply with established safety standards. A reputable dealer will provide inspection certificates and warranties for their used facilities.

Organizing Your Inventory Layout

An organized warehouse can make a tremendous difference in efficiency. The organization of the warehouse can influence the speed at which workers can find and retrieve access items.

Place your fast-moving items in the most accessible locations in the warehouse, where they can be easily referenced. 

This is known as ABC analysis, where items in the workflow are categorized as fast-moving (A items), moderately moving (B items), and slow-moving (C items) in order of convenience (or easy access).

Creating Logical Zones

Base the logical zoning scheme for your warehouse on the products you will be storing. For example, organize your warehouse to store all electronics together, seasonal items in one location, and large items in a separate area.

Clearly defined signage and numbering systems help workers navigate the warehouse more efficiently. 

Most warehouses utilize color-coding or alphanumeric symbols for zoning or sectioning. The sign must be visible from a distance and readily understandable.

Implementing Smart Storage Solutions

Modern warehouses often employ various storage methods to achieve optimal space efficiency and enhanced organizational benefits.

Bins can be ideal for holding small parts and intricate components, as they allow for the storage of multiple items in a compact space while facilitating organization and easy item location.

For items that are odd-shaped, consider a cantilever racking system as a solution for storing large quantities of irregularly shaped items. This system works well for lumber, pipes, furniture, and other long or awkward products that don’t fit on standard pallets.

Mobile Storage Systems

Mobile shelving units can increase your storage capacity by up to 50% in the same floor space. These systems eliminate some aisles by mounting shelves on tracks that move sideways. When you need access to items, you simply move the shelves to create an aisle where you need it.

Technology and Warehouse Management

Technology can change the way you control warehouse storage. Even basic improvements to tracking and storage can improve your efficiency and accuracy.

Barcode tracking systems allow you to record and track the location and movement of inventory. The employee simply needs to scan the barcode, as opposed to having to remember where the item was placed when they walked away or write it down; this can save the employee time and reduce mistakes. 

Warehouse management systems provide information on inventory levels, enhance picking efficiencies, and offer feedback on slow-moving items. 

There are numerous affordable systems that excel at managing and tracking inventory for small to medium-sized warehouses.

Simple Tech Solutions

Technology should be simple, not expensive. There are smartphone applications available for tracking inventory, and low-cost, simple barcode scanners are far cheaper than outfitting an entire computer system.

Use tablets or rugged handheld devices for inventory management. These devices allow employees to access information and update records from anywhere in the warehouse.

Measuring Your Success

When storage improvements have been made, measure outcomes to identify what is working and what needs to change.

Observe metrics such as order-picking time and inventory accuracy, and use these metrics to determine whether any real changes have occurred as a result of your improvements.

Regular assessments will help us identify new problems before they become larger. Evaluating your warehouse on a monthly or quarterly basis will keep it running effectively as a whole.

Moving Forward

Begin with the changes that will have the most significant impact on your daily operations, focusing on safety, productivity, and organization. With some thought and a degree of practicality, you can design a warehouse storage system with Space Aid Manufacturing that will serve your business for many years.

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