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An Informative Guide to Warehouse Organization

by Business Highers
organization tips

The global warehousing and storage market had an estimated value of $648.35 billion in 2021. Come 2030, experts forecast it to grow to $1.2 trillion.

Rising consumer demand for e-commerce is one reason for that growth. In the U.S. alone, about 8 in 10 people shop online.

So as a warehouse owner or manager, take advantage of that growth to grow your business, too. You can do so by organizing your warehouse better for improved operational efficiency.

This guide discusses the top warehouse organization tips, so read on.

Map Out Your Floor Plan

A floor plan allows you to determine how much usable space you have and its limitations. It also lets you organize inventory better by helping you visualize where to store items.

To create a well-designed floor plan, store similar items together. This way, you and your employees can find products more quickly.

Suppose your warehouse stores home supplies; group them based on their room of use. For example, you can assign specific areas for kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom items.

Choose the Right Racks and Shelves

Use your floor plan to pick appropriate warehouse racking systems or shelving solutions. Prioritize capacity and quality to help ensure you can maximize space safely.

Pallet racks are a great choice to maximize your vertical and horizontal space. They’re stackable and can go between 3 and 7 levels high, depending on their capacity and intended use.

For smaller items, consider rivet or wire shelving solutions. Bin systems, which you can categorize, also make organization simpler.

Use Labels and Signage

Once you’ve installed your storage solutions, label them immediately. Put up signs and maps indicating their locations throughout your warehouse, too. This helps you and your employees find them faster, improving workflow and productivity.

However, you must still train your employees on your warehouse’s floor plan. This is especially vital for new workers and if you frequently hire temps. Tell them the maps’ locations and give them a physical or digital copy.

Get a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

A WMS software program digitizes inventory data and even automates many tasks. For example, it lets you enter item information, such as location and supply levels. Then, you can automate it to re-order once the supply level reaches a specified threshold.

Some WMS programs also have accounting automation features. These include automated shipping, sales orders, invoicing, and reporting.

Address Mess and Clutter ASAP

Injuries and illnesses in the U.S. transportation and warehousing sector rose in 2021. In 2020, it recorded only 206,900 cases; in 2021, there were 253,100 cases.

Mess and clutter in warehouses can contribute to or directly cause injuries. For example, they can lead to forklift crashes and slip, trip, and fall incidents.

To avoid such disasters, require employees to report clutter and spills immediately. Then, have your facilities manager address the mess without delay. Their prompt response can keep your warehouse organized and clutter-free, reducing injury risks.

Follow These Warehouse Organization Tips

Organizing your warehouse can improve productivity, efficiency, and safety. So, follow our organization tips, from creating a floor plan to labeling and putting up signs. Don’t forget to invest in proper storage solutions and a WMS, and never delay fixing mess and clutter.

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