Expert Tips On How To Overcome Warehouse Trouble Spots

Running an efficient warehouse is an ideal all managers and business owners strive for. Warehouse operations are often interlinked and interdependent. If you are not careful in ensuring its efficiency, the warehouse can easily turn into a cash hole and productivity inhibitor.

An inefficiently operated warehouse that doesn’t take the time to identify errors or malfunctions and fix them can cause the company to lose its competitive edge. Identifying warehouse trouble spots entails entrenching a regular and consistent evaluation of processes, layout and organization, equipment, and people.

Here are tips from experts on common trouble spots and how you can overcome them.

1. Non-compliance to Processes and Safety Regulations

Trouble spots in warehouses often emanate from points where there is non-adherence to business processes or occupational safety and health standards.

These spots manifest through unnecessary delays, frequent accidents or frequent shutdowns due to non-compliance to regulatory standards.

You can overcome these trouble spots by conducting regular, mandatory safety training and providing all the support that staffs need to be aware of and enforce safety standards.

2. Disorganized Warehouse Layout and Workstations

How well organized is your warehouse? Does the layout promote efficient movement of products through the distribution chain?

If not, your warehouse can be a bottleneck to your company’s productivity and hinder your competitiveness.

Just check, how far away are the order packers from the supplies? How much room do your forklift operators have to manoeuvre when transporting goods?

Consult with a professional and work out a layout that boosts productivity, efficiency, and safety.

3. Poor Equipment Maintenance

Do you use forklifts in your warehouse? How frequently are they inspected and how often is maintenance performed on them? Do the operators have a valid forklift license in Singapore?

Frequent breakdowns due to poorly maintained equipment and mishandled equipment can drag your business down, and will ultimately cause your business to lose money.

Ensure you schedule regular forklift inspections, maintenance, and refresher training for the crew, so that you don’t end up losing anything.

4. Handling Excess Inventory

Many warehouse managers have to struggle with the issue of excess inventory. Some choose to do nothing about it and clutter the warehouse, others lease additional space, while some others dispose of these inventory by liquidating them at discounted prices or give them away.

Doing nothing about excess inventory is not the smart choice. Get rid of excess inventory in an efficient and meaningful way.

5. Inefficiency and Losses Due to Lack of Training

Workplace accidents in the warehouse often occur due to improper working practices. Forklift operators who have not been trained can cause accidents which can cause injury or fatalities.

Safety training is essential. Also, forklift training is critical to ensure that the operators can handle the machines competently.

Don’t look at the cost of training and put off the next forklift training session. Instead, consider this an opportunity to prevent an accident or negative inspection from happening and take proactive steps to train the staff.

Being aware of the common warehouse trouble spots is one thing, but knowing how to overcome them is another. However, with these key tips, conquering all these problems will be as easy as shelling peas.