Did you know that Amazon runs more than 100 warehouses across the US alone?
One thing is for sure, Amazon is the king when it comes to logistics. You can order something in the morning and have it by the end of the day. None of this would be possible if Amazon were to make common warehouse storage errors.
If you’re aspiring to have that impressive level of logistical fluidity, then it all depends on how you run your warehouse. In the majority of cases, poor efficiency is a result of some kind of error on your part.
Keep reading as we discuss six common warehouse storage errors.
1. The Biggest of All Common Warehouse Storage Errors: Overstocking
It’s understandable that companies want to keep a backup of their most popular items for a rainy day. But space for warehouse storage is limited enough as it is, and having a bloated supply chain solves a few problems in exchange for creating many more.
Lean supply chains are all the rage these days. It allows you to pivot more easily with changing stock and improves your efficiency when tracking warehouse items.
2. Poor Paths in Warehouse Organization
Every warehouse should be a well-oiled machine with clear paths from A to B. Employees should be able to cross each other to get what they need without leading to pesky logjams.
Organize your warehouse with the bestsellers closer to the sorting area, and optimize it so pickers don’t get in each other’s way. Get some used racking for warehouse organization to build new aisles as necessary.
3. Embrace Technology
The days of pickers eyeballing the aisles to find what they need are over–or should be, anyway. Technology allows you to mark items with RFID and use location to hone in on and store items. You need to get with the times and adopt technology that expedites how quickly you can find and ship out items.
4. Stay on Top of Housekeeping
Clutter is only natural in a place with so many products. Workers often need to store pallets temporarily in the open spaces before moving them to shelves or the bays. But don’t let this clutter get out of control.
Make a daily or weekly regimen of decluttering. Just a few minutes of cleanup can go a long way.
5. Poor Warehouse Safety Management
Providing suboptimal safety is bad for a long list of reasons. It puts your employees out of commission, burns money for worker’s comp, and slows overall production.
Follow OSHA to the letter and avoid letting employees skip protocol to save time or effort.
6. Treat Your Staff Well
Turnover is expensive, but not just because of hiring costs. New employees are less reliable and less trustworthy. Without an incentive to do better, they do the bare minimum to get by.
Treat your employees with respect, period. Put them up for promotion and offer wage increases. Loyal employees will work harder in the end.
Maximize Warehouse Production Today
Common warehouse storage errors can be found in just about every warehouse and slow down your process by a shocking amount. It’s vital that you optimize the layout, picking strategies, and declutter the place. Observe strict safety management and treat your team members like family.
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