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Warehouse maximization is a key component when owning or managing a warehouse. Over time, you will eventually run out of space due to a number of things such as:
- seasonal/quarterly growth,
- discount selling/buying, and
- natural accumulation of overstock, etc.
Although some may think they will never run out of space if they just buy a large enough warehouse, this isn’t necessarily the right approach to take. Despite that type of area, a large warehouse can come with many unforeseen consequences. With the ability to store more inventory, it is less likely for all of the available space to be utilized.
With more space comes higher costs, and often more travel time between products, resulting in higher fuel costs. A larger warehouse could also be a waste of money if it’s possible to simply make more efficient use of a smaller warehouse space.
Alternatively, many assume they should just expand or relocate to gain more warehouse space. Again, better utilizing the current space may be able to solve the warehouse space problem while saving a significant amount of time and money. Just by taking advantage of your current space, you can increase your warehouse efficiency.
Within the next few paragraphs, you will learn how to maximize your warehouse space, and realize the benefits of doing so.
- High-Rise Racking Systems:
You may not have much space available in your warehouse, and you may therefore want to make the most out of it. Choosing a racking system that is designed specifically for your space can help you to increase storage density, so this is one of the first things you must consider.
If your ceiling is high, it would be best for you to get a racking system that is up to your ceiling in height. This would help you make the most out of your existing space. These racks so high up would be made accessible with the help of Walkways and Mezzanine Floors.
- Drive-In Racking Systems:
Drive-in racking is perfect when storing similar items such as roofing shingles. This racking system creates storage lanes that fork trucks drive into. The lanes are several levels high using heavy-duty rails to hold the pallets. The fork truck operator drives into the racks and places the pallet on heavy-duty rails. Drive-in racks have excellent storage density, limited selectivity, and restricted ability to rotate stock.
Simple Steps to Increase Warehouse Maximization
We’ve compiled a list of tips and steps to help maximize your warehouse storage area.
- Reorganize based on product type so that inventory can be easily found.
- Organize neatly, but also logically. This includes leaving walkways clear to lessen obstacles throughout the warehouse.
- Recognize existing non-used space, and mark it to be used later on.
- Remove unneeded items to increase available space. By removing this excess inventory, you can create space for the more high volume, high priority items while saving money by not housing unnecessary stock.
- Change the location of products that are used most frequently to more convenient locations.
- Minimize aisle widths to increase space for your inventory.7. Make use of the warehouses’ vertical space. Be sure to research any stacking restrictions. Storing inventory vertically with pallet racking can quickly increase the available floor space in your warehouse.
- Utilize individual container space by measuring products to fit accurately in each designated container, minimizing wasted space. This also includes confirming that products are in their designated container so that the space is fully utilized, saving time when it comes to finding inventory.
- Find and stick to a method of organization. There are both random and fixed organizational methods one can choose to get a warehouse on the track towards better organization. The random method places inventory wherever it fits. The fixed method, on the other hand, has designated locations for each product. This second system can be more organized, but can also produce a lot of wasted space.