With the abundance of space in a warehouse you might be tempted to begin unloading right away and stack things wherever they fit first, but making the best use of space will save you hours of organization and confusion later down the road. Whether you lease or own your warehouse, there is always room for improvement. Owning and leasing warehouses have their own advantages and disadvantages, but is ultimately up to you. Here are five tips to help improve productivity in your warehouse.

Extra Space

Obviously a warehouse is a lot of extra space and it’s best to plan how you will use that space before moving things in. However, keep in mind how quickly and often businesses change. Having certain designated areas for different products or companies will be helpful. Also keeping a space in mind for potential new business and products will help you plan ahead for the productivity of your warehouse spaces. Whether you keep that spot open, or use the spot for something else in the meantime, it’s good to have in mind where exactly new products or business would be within the warehouse space. This will keep you mindful of the space you have and aid you in your decision of whether or not you need additional space or facilities.

Zones

Zoning is splitting your warehouse spaces into different sections based on the product or business they serve. There are many different types of zoning that focus on different requirements, so it is up to you to choose the best type that fits your warehouse space. Some things to keep in mind when choosing your method of zoning:

  • Temperature — If any of your products need to be stored below or above a certain temperature, keep that in mind when zoning.
  • Weight — Depending on how you decide to organize your warehouse, you may want to consider keeping heavier objects closer to the loading bay and lighter objects further away.
  • Dryness — Certain products may be ruined or spoiled if exposed to moist air or water exposure. Keep in mind where pipes and plumbing are when storing dry goods.
  • Danger — Make sure you have special procedures and caution for dangerous products, like corrosive or flammable materials. These should not be stored near other items that pose a risk.
  • Security — Consider extra security, like locks and cages, for valuable products that are stolen often, like pharmaceuticals or smart phones.

A man searching in warehouse shelves.

Budget

Improving your warehouse productivity won’t go very far unless you have the budget to do so. Small changes, like switching the section of two products shouldn’t be very costly, but things like added security, temperature control or even additional space could put you over budget. You will want to make sure you stay within your budget, especially if you are leasing a warehouse for the first time, to save all the money where you can.

Safety

Safety sounds like an obvious suggestion but is probably one of the most proactive improvements to productivity. No one can predict an accident or disaster, but proactively preparing for them will reduce the risk of incidents happening and the time it will take to resolve them. The faster a safety hazard is taken care of, the quicker your warehouse space can return to full productivity.

Communication

Communication is key in any business in relation to productivity. Communicate consistently with your team leaders and team members. Listen to any suggestions or concerns any of your employees may have; they see things differently than the person up top and can give you insight you may not have considered. Giving appropriate and timely awareness to any changes or differences will allow employees to react responsibly and adjust to new information.

Need A Warehouse of Your Own?

Schwarz Properties offers a variety of commercial and residential properties in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Leading the market for industrial and warehouse spaces to lease, contact Schwarz Properties for more information today!