Good practices in warehouse management

We would like to dedicate this entry in our blog to the techniques, habits, tricks, etc. that our customers implement in the day-to-day management of their warehouses and which have a positive impact on their productivity and the level of service they offer.

Without publishing any industrial secrets, during our years working in the sector we have identified some common strategies deployed by companies that achieve the best results in terms of the organisation and management of their warehouses:

1. Order and tidiness, cleanliness, instructions and procedures, safety, and communication
   Some hallmarks of a well-managed warehouse are qualities such as: stored goods are always returned to the same location at the end of each shift, a clear description of the tasks for each job function, a culture that prioritises safety, and an environment which values discipline and transparency in the communication between management and employees.

2. Optimal organisation of products and goods within the warehouse.
   You must be clear about which goods movement system, FIFO or LIFO, will be used before opening the warehouse in order to avoid medium- and long-term problems. Another distinguishing feature is when companies divide their storage into sectors based on item rotation, the volume of articles or by following the ABC rule. Through consistency and discipline you can calculate the optimal quantity and ideal location for each product on the shelves, thus reducing the effort and time required to receive goods and/or prepare orders.

3. Structures adapted to the real needs.
   Another good practice common to the best warehouses is the installation of appropriate shelving or racking in terms of size, load capacity, materials, design, etc. It is also very important to work in coordination with a supplier which offers solutions that can evolve along with your storage needs by replacing shelving that is obsolete or cannot match the weight or volume specifications of new products or requirements.

4. Establish goals, record outcomes, evaluate results and propose improvements.
   If we lack clearly defined objectives, then we cannot be sure we are working in the right direction, and if there are no control mechanisms, then we cannot measure performance and determine whether we are doing the right things at the right time.

Did you find this article interesting? Would you like more information?

Contact us and we will be delighted to help you improve the day-to-day management of your warehouse.