Businesses that require the use of warehouses and transportation systems are expensive ventures. Aside from purchasing a large room for the storage of an assortment of products, you need to get specialized equipment and reliable staff. If you are running a warehouse, you need to be efficient to avoid losing profit.
At some point, warehouses will require expansion. However, your business may not be able to spend money on warehouse expansion or a new location. The solution for overcrowded warehouses is making use of whatever space is available. Space optimization falls under the warehouse manager’s list of responsibilities. If you need more space without spending a lot of cash, here are a few tips that can help you.
Add a Mezzanine Floor
Most warehouses have high ceilings, which means that there will always be available space on top of the aisle floor. A mezzanine installation may be costly, but it will add more value to your company in the long run. Warehouse mezzanine floors can help store almost twice as many products in the location. This new area allows you to set up office spaces for paperwork and other business-related activities. However, you need to be aware of the estimated storage weight before hiring a mezzanine installation company.
Rearrange Aisles
You should consider rearranging the aisles if you are looking for ways to increase space without spending that much money. Warehouse aisles cover most of the floor area, which means that they dictate how many products you can store. You can reduce aisle width to a minimum as a cost-effective solution for space optimization.
As long as you can operate heavy machines comfortably when entering a space-reduced aisle, rest assured that you are not wasting space. You can also mix aisle columns together if the walking space is feasible. This method can also give you the option to add more walkways, which will be helpful for your operation.
Increase Vertical Storage Capacity
Investing in durable materials for aisles is a priority for warehouse managers. When storage space demand is high, adding vertical storage capacity is an option. As a manager, you need to make sure that adding vertical aisle sections can take the heavier weight.
Raising the warehouse roof is also a feasible choice. However, overstacked aisles are threatening for warehouse businesses. If an aisle full of heavy product breaks down during the operation, the company will lose money. Before you entertain this idea, you need to consult a specialist first.
Incorporating Cross-Docking System
The cross-docking system allows businesses to sort stock and minimize storage use. Products tagged as ‘ready for transport’ can already make their way to the delivery vans or trucks without taking up warehouse space. Most warehouses use the logistics technique to provide more space for products that are about to arrive. The sorting method also allows the warehouse staff to come up with an inventory. Inventories help the team identify unwanted products. Throwing away obsolete inventory will provide more space in warehouses.
Warehouse businesses always start small, but managers need to come up with long-term plans for space optimization. Using cost-effective methods, you can start earning profit and create expansion plans for the company’s future. A new warehouse location is the best way to increase storage capacity, but it remains an expensive proposal. Cost-effective methods will help keep your business afloat.