Redefining the Shape of Your Warehouse

Managing a warehouse offers up many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the efficient use of warehouse space in the wake of changing business needs and inventory profiles. Few warehouses have the flexibility to accommodate change without a major loss in productivity. However by simply redesigning your Melbourne warehouse, you can overcome this obstacle.

Signs you might need to redesign:

• Inventory sitting in aisles with no home
• Multiple SKU’s on the same pallet
• Multiple pallets in the same pick spot
• Continual rearranging of storage spots and pick facings
• Unexplained upsurges in operating costs
• Increased inventory control issues
• Decreased order cycle time
• Commissioning outside facilities for storage
• A constant need for short-term solutions to recurring problems

Considerations:

The design of your warehouse space should take into consideration all aspects of your warehouse, from receiving to storage, administration, employee, picking, packing, and shipping concerns. For example, you might want to plan lighting; heating; ventilation; and noise protection around your budget and functional requirements, but you should also consider the comfort of your staff. Remember that your warehouse layout must allow for practical and safe access for people and machinery, as well as comply with all Health and Safety legislation. Furthermore, the design needs to ensure that operations flow smoothly and are adaptable to future change. In order to effectively implement your new design, you will have to do some research to obtain the right information. How many SKU’s do you currently have now and how many might you have in the future? How much space do you need for each product and each line? Is your industry dynamic—therefore prone to constant change? And what is your plan for the future of your business—do you see lots of expansion? There are many more questions that may need to be answered, depending on your business and operations.

Mezzanines:

A great way to make the most of your warehouse redesign is to install a mezzanine for extra space. The new space can be used for storage, workspace, locker rooms, offices, clean rooms, or temperature controlled rooms. Even if you already have a mezzanine installed, it’s worth reassessing it to ensure it is functioning right for your warehouse. You may be currently using it as a storage area when it is better suited as an office suite, or vice versa. There is a vast array of options available to customise your warehouse mezzanine around your requirements and budget. Additionally, depending on the size of your warehouse, you may be able to incorporate more than one mezzanine level.

Shifting business needs, altered inventory profiles, and a lack of flexibility in place to meet these changes, spells trouble for a warehouse unwilling to adapt. By simply reshaping your warehouse design, you can ensure longevity of your Melbourne warehouse. For long-term value, make sure your warehouse space allows for further developments and changes in the future. A specialist warehouse designer can help you visualise your ideal warehouse plan, get you the most value out of your existing space, and implement the redesign successfully for you.