Guidance of Warehouse Storage & Flow Design(3)
Plan and Design a Storage System Solution
The system you design for your warehouse can greatly affect productivity. A poorly designed system is difficult to navigate and makes picking and packing a hassle. On the other hand, a well-designed system will boost your output and increase the safety of your warehouse. Identifying the following specifics will help find the perfect solution for your business.
Get to Know Your Volume – Before choosing a system, you need to understand your storage density. By analyzing the stock-keeping units (SKUs) on your current inventory, you can determine how much storage you need and what type of racking system will serve you best. For example, look at how much stock must be stored in pushback or drive-in racks. This type of deep storage gives you more space in less overall square footage.
Understanding How Inventory Moves – Once you understand the density of your storage volume, you need to look at how inventory will flow throughout your warehouse. How will the inbound and outbound product be separated? For some, deep-lane storage simply will not work. If you need to be able to access your inventory at all times, you’ll want to choose something that makes it readily available. In this case, deep-storage is not the best option. Review the inventory SKUs that move the slowest, because the slowest-moving items can be stored in deep-lane solutions, while you must make room to accommodate items that move on a daily basis.
Leave Room for Forklifts – If you’ve decided to go with a few deep-lane storage solutions, you need to place them in a way that’s easily accessible to your workers. It’s imperative to design the right type of drive-in or drive-through rack, in addition to choosing the correct forklift. Be sure to add an extra six to 12 inches to the stacking aisle when designing this kind of storage. It gives the forklift extra room to get through storage areas, reduces the chances of damage to the machinery, and improves worker safety.
Design for the Heaviest Weight – Last, know the weight of your pallet loads. Don’t just guess. It can lead to improper racking systems, which will have to be redesigned eventually. Weigh your heaviest loads and use that number as a base. Design your racking system to accommodate the heaviest weight; this will make it more flexible, and safer, in the long run.
Plan Other Work Areas
Consider other work areas needed for your business. Some examples might be space for production areas, manufacturing processes, assembly, packing and shipping areas, repair shops, etc. Also if you require office space inside your facility, consider an in-plant office building.
Business Goals
Finally, your warehouse layout will depend on your business goals. If your warehouse stocks food, it’s probably your goal to deliver as much inventory as possible while keeping it fresh and appetizing. You’ll need a layout that supports temperature control and ensures as much inventory as possible can be moved during the workday. If your warehouse stores electronics, your goal might be to keep up with the latest technology. You’ll need a system that allows you to unload obsolete inventory quickly so you can get improved models into customers’ hands.
Finalize and Begin Implementation
As you’re finalizing your plans, and have feedback from all necessary teams, think about testing your design out in your facility. Tape the floor in key areas to help visualize the placement of your equipment and the flow of traffic. Confirm that your plan adheres to local safety, seismic, fire codes and ordinances. Once everything looks ready to go, execute your plan!
If you need direction on how to design your warehouse, we can help. Contact us to speak to one of our experts about warehouse flow, storage and space design services.
The system you design for your warehouse can greatly affect productivity. A poorly designed system is difficult to navigate and makes picking and packing a hassle. On the other hand, a well-designed system will boost your output and increase the safety of your warehouse. Identifying the following specifics will help find the perfect solution for your business.
Get to Know Your Volume – Before choosing a system, you need to understand your storage density. By analyzing the stock-keeping units (SKUs) on your current inventory, you can determine how much storage you need and what type of racking system will serve you best. For example, look at how much stock must be stored in pushback or drive-in racks. This type of deep storage gives you more space in less overall square footage.
Understanding How Inventory Moves – Once you understand the density of your storage volume, you need to look at how inventory will flow throughout your warehouse. How will the inbound and outbound product be separated? For some, deep-lane storage simply will not work. If you need to be able to access your inventory at all times, you’ll want to choose something that makes it readily available. In this case, deep-storage is not the best option. Review the inventory SKUs that move the slowest, because the slowest-moving items can be stored in deep-lane solutions, while you must make room to accommodate items that move on a daily basis.
Leave Room for Forklifts – If you’ve decided to go with a few deep-lane storage solutions, you need to place them in a way that’s easily accessible to your workers. It’s imperative to design the right type of drive-in or drive-through rack, in addition to choosing the correct forklift. Be sure to add an extra six to 12 inches to the stacking aisle when designing this kind of storage. It gives the forklift extra room to get through storage areas, reduces the chances of damage to the machinery, and improves worker safety.
Design for the Heaviest Weight – Last, know the weight of your pallet loads. Don’t just guess. It can lead to improper racking systems, which will have to be redesigned eventually. Weigh your heaviest loads and use that number as a base. Design your racking system to accommodate the heaviest weight; this will make it more flexible, and safer, in the long run.
Plan Other Work Areas
Consider other work areas needed for your business. Some examples might be space for production areas, manufacturing processes, assembly, packing and shipping areas, repair shops, etc. Also if you require office space inside your facility, consider an in-plant office building.
Business Goals
Finally, your warehouse layout will depend on your business goals. If your warehouse stocks food, it’s probably your goal to deliver as much inventory as possible while keeping it fresh and appetizing. You’ll need a layout that supports temperature control and ensures as much inventory as possible can be moved during the workday. If your warehouse stores electronics, your goal might be to keep up with the latest technology. You’ll need a system that allows you to unload obsolete inventory quickly so you can get improved models into customers’ hands.
Finalize and Begin Implementation
As you’re finalizing your plans, and have feedback from all necessary teams, think about testing your design out in your facility. Tape the floor in key areas to help visualize the placement of your equipment and the flow of traffic. Confirm that your plan adheres to local safety, seismic, fire codes and ordinances. Once everything looks ready to go, execute your plan!
If you need direction on how to design your warehouse, we can help. Contact us to speak to one of our experts about warehouse flow, storage and space design services.
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