Warehouse spaces are big spaces. Imagine what you can put in it. However, this is not always the case. There are situations where you can clearly see the vastness of the space yet things do not fit in. More often than not, this is caused by the misuse of the space or the floor plan is not maximised. And when it is not maximised, there are certain adverse effects on the business.
This is why you need to make sure that you make the most of every corner of the warehouse space. This is not always an easy task, as you may be even required to engage in trial and error tests to find out which layout works best. Nevertheless, you are reading a guide that may help you get out of this problem.
Customise the space based on your goods
One common mistake when it comes to warehousing is that many businesspeople think that they can always use a one-size-fits-all approach. This can be detrimental to your business, and you may realise in the end that it will incur more costs. Remember that every goods or product is unique, so the layout that works for perishable goods may not work for your RTW storage. Your conveyor system will be appropriately applied if you use the right layout for the type of product that you have.
Use the right shelves and containers
A lot of warehouse managers also make the mistake of using horizontal shelving. This is all right if you are not running out of space. But if you believe that your floor space is wasted, it is time to go for vertical shelving. This means that you will need to use the right shelves and containers with great heights and flexibility. Tall shelves will mean that you will have a lot of floor space to make use of for your inventory.
Make use of the space “above”
Say you want to add extra storage room or an office. The floor area may not be able to accommodate it, but you cannot afford to get another warehouse. In this case, you may want to make use of the space above. This plan works if your warehouse has high ceilings or is designed to accommodate really tall shelves. You can have a mezzanine that makes use of industrial warehouse stairs. Just make sure that you store light items on the second floor of your warehouse.
Mind the aisles
Do not take aisles for granted. A simple adjustment on their length and width can make a lot of difference. Wider aisles tend to be a waste of space, especially if you do not have warehouse trucks driving through them. As such, it would be always wise to keep them narrow, but not too narrow that it will be hard for your staff to get items from the shelves.
Optimising your warehouse space is good for your business. Warehousing is often associated with costs, so if you know how to make the most of it, there is a great chance that your business will incur less cost.
