The warehouse plays an important role in the supply chain. Its main function is to receive and store the goods for shipment. However, beyond this fundamental role, it generally conditions the efficiency of the entire supply chain. Therefore, it becomes imperative to keep your warehouse running smoothly. Its layout is one of the main assets for this. A well-designed warehouse improves the fluidity of operations and confers many advantages. So how do you organize your warehouse? Focus on solutions.
Layout: what are the advantages for your storage space?
Warehouse usually refers to storage space. However, it represents the hub of the entire supply chain. In general, it regulates the flow of goods and the entry and exit of stocks. Because of this operation, this element also represents an essential tool for optimizing the management of a company’s stocks. Consequently, the organization of a warehouse represents a particularly important issue for a company, and brings together many advantages.
To gain available storage space
The arrangement of a storage space allows above all to free up space on the surface of the warehouse. In particular, it makes it possible to improve the operation of the various departments of this logistics unit. This concerns just as much shelving, handling, product transport and the movement of workers and handling equipment.
To optimize order processing
Saving time is one of the main advantages of setting up a warehouse. An optimized organization in this case makes it possible to increase the production of the company and the processing of orders to meet delivery deadlines. In addition, this layout is also beneficial for your cash flow by optimizing the flow of goods and facilitating stock management.
What criteria should be considered when choosing an organization method?
The organization of your space must above all meet the needs of your activity. Before starting work on the layout of your storage area, it is first necessary to define the different types of logistics flows. On the one hand, internal operations concern the movement of materials and other products necessary for the operation of the warehouse. For this configuration, the organizations above all facilitate and secure the movement of machinery and workers.
External flows concern the inputs and outputs of goods, during the supply and distribution of goods. For a professional, the optimization of the warehouse makes it possible to gain in productivity.
Similarly, the importance of movements and rotations also represents a preponderant criterion to consider when implementing a strategy to optimize the operation of a warehouse. This generally includes the quantity of goods to be stocked and the order volume to be processed. Therefore, the organization must be able to respond to customer needs, especially during peak times.
How to improve the functioning of warehouses?
Improving the operation of a warehouse is far from easy. Indeed, carrying out an operation to facilitate the management of the resources at your disposal requires upstream studies. These therefore concern all the elements of the storage space concerned.
Determine a logistics plan according to the space you have
To set up a storage space, it is imperative to determine the needs of your business. It mainly depends on the quantity of the goods to be processed. Whatever the sector concerned, defining a logistics plan is essential. In particular, it allows you to determine certain areas of your storage area and to define the type of storage that is appropriate. These include storage areas suitable for each type of product and the reserve area suitable for items whose processing and shipping must meet a short deadline.
Opt for shelving adapted to each product
Choosing storage equipment is an important issue in the layout of a warehouse. This essentially concerns the method of storing the products, namely, crates, pallets or unit placement. The shape of the storage can also vary depending on the storage conditions. Thus, each commodity must have its own option depending on the material used:
- Pallet racks;
- light shelves;
- store gondolas;
- les cantilevers.
It is imperative to respect the specificities of the equipment for the products. This ensures the stability of your shelving and also the safety of workers while facilitating handling work.
What is the ABC method for warehousing?
There are different types of shelving in a warehouse. Each of these methods represents a solution that brings together advantages. The ABC method is one of the methods for making shelving suitable for each type of product you want to store.
It mainly considers the turnover rate of products to classify them according to the following categories:
- A for items with 80% rotation for 20% product. These are high demand items that need to be readily available. They are generally located in the reserve area, near both entrances and exits;
- B represents the products whose rotation rate is 15% for 30% of the products and they are located after category A;
- C represents products that have 5% rotation for 50% merchandise.
The ABC method must also adhere to a specific height when placing. Category A goods must be at head height. Those classified B can be placed at the bottom and those of class C must be placed at the top.
FIFO method or first in, first out: what interest?
The FIFO system also represents an alternative to optimize the classification of products. Its principle consists in respecting the arrangement according to the order of arrival of the products. It is a simple storage method that makes it easier to track the arrival and dispatch of goods. However, depending on the nature of the goods and more specifically the lifespan, it is up to you to choose the storage method that suits your products.
