Maximize Your Storage and Improve Your Company’s Logistics

A shipping warehouse has the primary purpose of receiving goods from a manufacturer or whole-seller, storing them, and then shipping those products to consumers or storefronts as they are needed. Warehouses are a vital link in the supply chain for both physical retailers and eCommerce businesses. They are also responsible for handling customer returns, especially for eCommerce businesses that do not have a brick-and-mortar storefront. In order to streamline operations, you need to continually analyze your warehouse’s logistics. In this article, we will cover what warehouse logistics are, different methods of storage for your warehouse, and what the many benefits of good warehouse management are. 

What are Warehouse logistics?

Warehouse logistics concern the physical flow of goods through warehouse operations as well as the data associated with these operations. What’s more, all of the operations within a warehouse related to these products are a function of warehouse logistics. The movement of the literal products themselves, all of your orders’ fulfillment time, and product information and descriptions all fall under the umbrella of warehouse logistics. Warehouse logistics also include aspects of warehouse management such as the employees that make a warehouse run and the scheduling of those employees

Poor warehouse logistics could translate into lost revenue by slowing operations that are essential to the business. Without solid warehouse logistics, your storage facility will become slow and prone to making mistakes. This is a major issue for businesses that rely on efficient shipping to turn a profit. Inefficient logistics will also diminish the quality of customer experiences and result in higher returns of your products. 

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Storage Methods

Storage methods refer to how a warehouse stores its goods. There are several options available to warehouse managers, each with its own benefits and challenges. To find the storage method that best fits your business, you’ll have to consider your warehouse’s floor plan and the degree of flexibility it requires. 

• Static Shelving

As the name implies, static shelves are storage mechanisms that are designed to remain in a fixed location once they have been implemented. In most cases, these shelves are used to store products that need continuous replenishment. These shelves are typically incompatible with forklifts, meaning any stock stored on them must be organized and moved manually by an individual. There is also the option of wide-span static shelving that is capable of holding more weight and can be stacked higher.

• Mobile Shelving

In a mobile shelving system, shelves are mounted on rail systems that allow them to be moved. By integrating a completely adjustable shelving method a warehouse can eliminate fixed aisles and make inventory more accessible in smaller spaces. Much like static shelves, mobile shelves are generally inaccessible with a forklift and require manual organization. Mobile shelves generally hold more inventory in less space than their static counterparts. 

• Pallet Racking

Pallet racking is the storage method most popular with large warehouses that are consistently busy. Pallets made of wood, metal, or plastic are loaded with large boxes of products that can be manipulated with a forklift depending on the height of the product stack. Pallet racking has a variety of sub-categories that can tailor the storage method to the immediate needs of your warehouse. Warehouses generally choose from these sub-categories depending on their weight limits, storage flexibility, and whether or not infrastructural changes are required. 

• Multi-tier Racking

Multi-tier racking is a storage method designed to capitalize on vertical space. These storage mechanisms are most often used in warehouses that handle a high volume of units that are smaller in size. A majority of the goods stored on these shelves must be manually manipulated. Multi-tier shelves are also relatively flexible as they can be stacked as high as necessary. 

• Mezzanine Flooring

Mezzanine flooring is a storage method that involves building an additional storage floor above a warehouse’s primary storage floor. Because of the costs of construction related to this storage method, it is generally the most expensive option available. However, the storage space offered by this system is second to none. 

• Wire Partitions

Wires partitions are a low-cost and low-technology solution to storage in a warehouse. Wire partitions are simple wire cages that can be quickly and easily set up and torn down. These shelves are generally used to house lightweight storage that does not need to be consistently replenished. 

Perks of Having Good Storage Facilities

Having an effective storage facility will help your business run smoother and enable your business to make more revenue. This is done by maximizing the number of products you are able to manage effectively. Furthermore, optimized warehouse logistics will ensure accurate, real-time inventory counts that allow you to react quickly to inventory needs. Overall, good storage facilities and management will allow your business to handle more inventory with fewer mistakes.