Warehouse organization: it's all about proper management.
Disorganized warehouse? This can disrupt your loading and unloading logistics. Warehouse organization management begins with tailoring your space to the stored goods. Carefully consider the layout of your shelves and use efficient methods to stock them. How? This article explains how to organize your warehouse efficiently.
1. Space management for warehouse organization
To maximize warehouse organization, it is crucial to match the space to the stored goods. Warehouse space is inherently limited. Several factors should be considered to create the ideal warehouse organization.
Warehouse size based on the stored goods
By determining the precise size of the warehouse, you can optimize performance according to your needs and expectations. Do this before receiving any goods to prevent running out of space. To accurately determine your warehouse size, consider the following factors:
- Total storage capacity
- Type and size of the goods stored
- Available aisle space
- Traffic flow in the warehouse
To calculate your warehouse's storage capacity, you need to know its volume. This volume is the surface area of the warehouse multiplied by its maximum storage height. Once you have this figure, subtract the space available for storage. Next, calculate the product sizes and the frequency of goods flow and circulation in your warehouse. Now you have the precise size of the warehouse. After this, proceed to the second step: optimizing the available space.
Optimizing your space
For best performance, it is crucial to optimize your warehouse and manage on-site logistics flow. Several factors should be considered:
A (re)evaluation of the warehouse layout
Labeling of stored goods
Streamlining the order picking process
Taking inventory of all inbound shipments
Reviewing the building layout
Warehouse maintenance
Determining your warehouse organization is crucial for effective space management. Each employee should have unrestricted access to ensure smooth logistics flow through the building. This means maximizing floor space, labeling each asset, and minimizing handling impacts to ensure flexible, quick access to each asset.
Implementing an organization policy
Warehouse organization requires careful planning, which should be regularly evaluated. Regular evaluations help identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current site management techniques. It also paves the way for improving your organization system and adapting strategies to the logistics flow movements.
To help define the best strategy for your warehouse organization, we provide more information on storage types and different ways to optimize inventory management.
2. Storage options for warehouse organization
Choosing the appropriate storage strategy depends on your warehouse's logistics flow. You can choose between two methods to organize goods handling in your warehouse: the ABC method and the FIFO/LIFO systems.
The ABC method
The ABC method involves classifying goods by importance. Products are divided into three categories, from higher-value to lower-value goods. They are then positioned on racks based on these categories.
FIFO and LIFO
LIFO (last-in, first-out) and FIFO (first-in, first-out) are methods to manage the arrival and departure of warehouse goods more effectively. The FIFO principle is a dynamic system based on arrival order: goods that arrive first leave the warehouse first. This makes FIFO ideal for handling products with expiration dates. LIFO is the reverse of FIFO. In this system, products that arrive last are shipped first.
Warehouse storage ideas
Which warehouse organization storage type is best?
After choosing the appropriate warehouse organization storage method, you can determine the best storage type to facilitate goods flow through the warehouse. There are four storage types:
- High-turnover storage is for goods with high incoming and outgoing volumes. Use the FIFO method here.
- Mezzanine storage: This optimizes space by dividing the warehouse into two levels. This type of storage requires close attention to safety and the use of machinery to move products.
- Pallet storage: You can choose to store goods on riser pallets or traditional pallets.
- High-rise storage is for racks over 23 feet (7 meters) in height. This storage type is used in large warehouses and requires specific equipment, including guide rails and satellites in edge ladders.
Explore all our safety solutions:
Conclusion
Warehouse organization
The above tips will help you optimize your warehouse organization. While organization and tidiness are crucial for preventing accidents, protection measures in the warehouse are equally important. Even in a well-organized warehouse, there is still a risk of a forklift colliding with a rack, which can have serious consequences. This makes safety barriers, such as rack protection, essential in a warehouse. Other safety barriers, like bollards, fencing, and kick rails, are also designed to enhance warehouse safety.
Want more information on securing a warehouse with polymer safety barriers the best way? Read our white paper on safety in the warehouse and distribution sector and find answers to all your safety-related questions.