Material Handling

Friday, February 1, 2019

New Year, New You, New Organization Strategies


A new year brings new beginnings, and fresh starts. So why not get your warehouse where you want it? Below we’ve got some quick tips and tidbits to help you get started!  

How Much Do You Know?
1.     Wire storage containers can safely hold anywhere from ____ to ____ pounds and are great for items that don’t fit in typical pallet racking systems.
a.     1,500 – 4,000
b.     2,000- 4,500
c.     2,500- 5,000
2.     Pallet racking systems can only be used in
a.     Large warehouses
b.     Small warehouses
c.     Both A&B
3.     Can keeping your warehouse organized save you money?
a.     Yes
b.     No
4.     Traffic patterns can influence efficiency.
a.     True
b.     False
Get This…
It can be difficult to know where to start with warehouse organization, so here are some tips to help you out!
Step 1 Evaluate: Evaluate what you have in inventory and what you need for inventory. If there are items that are no longer useful to your business get rid of them!
Step 2 Organize: Now that you know what you have in inventory come up with a strategy to organize it! ~ some examples are by date, weight, and monetary value.
Step 3 Set Standards: Make sure employees are hip to the new organization processes and set standards to maintain its organization.
Step 4 Maintain: Even if everyone is aware of the new organization standards, making sure these standards are maintained is incredibly important. Sometimes it is helpful to delegate this task to a specific person.
























Can You Answer This Question???
As a general rule of thumb it should only take _______ to identify the flow of work being done in a warehouse or similar workplace.
A.    60 Seconds
B.    2 minutes
C.    40 seconds
D.    5 minutes

Having a general flow of traffic is important for all businesses, especially those that also utilize fast moving industrial equipment. Arguably the most important time to identify a flow of traffic is if you have never been to the facility before. Identifying this flow should only take about sixty seconds. Many companies and large warehouses make the identification of this flow easy by taping and marking pedestrian walkways and work areas.  


















Get The Facts!
Before you can have a functional and efficient warehouse you need to decide on what kind of shelving will work best for your space and business needs. Here are five popular storage options.
1.     Pallet Racking System: This type of shelving system serves as a cheaper option for many people. PRS are designed to hold an entire pallet that can be accessed from several sides if necessary. Another positive of PRS shelving is that you can make the most out of vertical space.
2.     Mezzanine Flooring: I like to relate mezzanine flooring to lofting your bed. You’re basically adding a second level (sometimes a third or fourth) to not only create more space on your entry level floor, but this also adds space in the levels created. Not all Mezzanine floors are used for storage, sometimes they are even used as office space!
3.     Drive in Racking: This type of system works best if you are moving a large amount of the same product. This type of organization typically follows the method of first in last out.
4.     Pallet Flow: This type of shelving utilizes a type of roller/conveyor system, which helps to promote and maintain the “first in first out” method of storage. This system is often used in large, fast-paced warehouses.
5.     Block Stacking: This type of storage can be a cheap alternative to some of the other shelving options available. To achieve this method of storage rows of materials are placed one on top of another. This type of storage does require more open ground space, but stacks can be piled as high as the ceiling safely allows.  


Block Stacking
Mezzanine Flooring

Pallet Flow
               
…So Call

If you’re interested in getting your warehouse organized give us a call! We will come to your facility to determine which kind of shelving is the best fit for you. You can reach us at (513) 842-2012. Thanks for checking out our blog!

ANSWERS: 1/A, 2/C, 3/A, 4/A