Because warehouse storage space is costly, it makes sense to maximize your warehouse storage capacity to lower carrying costs and improve material handling efficiency. Making a few adjustments to your warehouse operations can result in significant cost savings. Here are a few material handling hints to help you improve your warehouse.

Improve the accuracy of your forecasts and the management of your inventory.

Excess inventory results from inaccurate forecasts, complicating warehouse inventory management. Consider upgrading to a more sophisticated forecasting solution if you’re still using a spreadsheet. Best-fit algorithms are used in modern forecasting tools, which take seasonality and planned promotions into account. Inventory acquisition, handling costs, and obsolescence will all be reduced with better forecasting.

Optimize the Layout of Your Warehouse

Examine the warehouse’s physical qualities, the materials you need to store, and the material flow. Then, to maximize storage, slot the warehouse. Tiny and large products should be housed in separate racks to maximize shelve space and reduce the risk of losing small items, and often picked items should be stored towards the front to reduce trip time throughout the warehouse.

Make the most of the space you have.

Warehouse space management necessitates a multi-dimensional approach, including vertical thinking. Instead of adding more square footage, you can expand with the correct industrial storage systems. Using all available vertical space reduces carrying costs and allows for a more efficient warehouse design. The correct warehouse storage systems can make a huge impact in overall productivity.

Make the Most of Your Material Handling Equipment in the Warehouse

The right material handling equipment can boost your team’s productivity while also improving their safety. Make sure your equipment is capable of handling the loads you anticipate, and factor in a safety margin into your calculations. It’s also critical that aisles are wide enough for fork trucks to safely maneuver and that they have working lights and a horn.

Take good care of your material handling equipment because it is critical to operational efficiency. Train your team to check equipment before each shift and to schedule recommended maintenance on a regular basis.