Evans Distribution Systems Logo White Version
Search

Best Warehousing Practices

The best warehousing practices you can adopt are the ones that allow you to be flexible with what the market demands and that improve efficiency as much as possible. Improving organization, coordination, and speed will increase the quality and number of orders you can fill. This is why we put together a list of 5 best warehousing practices that can dramatically improve operations.

Best Warehousing Practices

Be Active in the Operation

In order to understand the needs of your warehouse, you must have a member of management actively involved in the activities on the floor. Watching all the pieces in motion will show you how well your plans are working, which makes it easier to determine where improvements are needed. There are always ways to innovate and optimize your warehouse practices, and frequently observing operations will help you find what is needed easier.

Utilize Cross-Docking

Cross-docking is great, because it allows you to unload, re-load, and ship products on their new route without worrying about warehousing the products. Instead the products would be unloaded into a staging area, and once the trailer is clear, the products would be reloaded to the new trailer. This works well with larger facilities that have many dock doors to move trailers as needed.

Use RFID Tags and Automation

Scanners and RFID tags will be your bread and butter when running a warehouse. RFID tags have become standard practice for warehouses, but it is still worth mentioning how important they are. Also, getting the right WMS to interact with these tags will streamline the picking process.

The more steps that can be automated in a warehouse means the more efficient the picking process becomes. The RFID tags allow for data to be collected automatically be collected on where a product is located, and how much of the product remains. Scan, pick, and load onto a truck.

Schedule Shipments Close Together

It slows down workflow and efficiency when your employees have to constantly stop and start the same task. If you dedicate workers to loading trucks and then they have to wait for trucks to show up, their labor is not being optimized. By scheduling shipments at the same time or close together, your workers will have a steady stream of work. This means orders get out faster and you improve efficiency.

Promote Safety

Safety is very important, especially in a warehouse with a lot of heavy machinery. By promoting safety in the warehouse, you improve your worker’s health by decreasing the risk of injury. It’s much easier and more effective having the right protocols in place to avoid injury instead of dealing with injuries as they occur. We wrote another blog “Top 7 Warehouse Safety Tips” that can help with warehouse safety as well.

These 5 best warehousing practices when implemented correctly can be very effective in improving warehouse efficiencies. All businesses will have ways they need to customize their practices, but these tips remain consistent. For more information on warehousing, you can check out our warehousing service page or our other blogs dedicated to warehousing.