Storage Excellence: Maintaining Cleanliness and Order

In overseeing warehouse operations, the challenge lies in consistently achieving high performance from staff, managing peak order volumes, and facilitating urgent requests. Achieving this level of efficiency is only possible through process-driven warehouse operations.

Various processes define warehouse operations, including receiving, put-away to storage, storage, value-added logistics, order picking, and shipping.

Storage represents a static phase between inbound and outbound operations, encompassing location planning and control, cargo protection in storage, and housekeeping.

Location Planning and Control

Efficient storage relies on simple, systematic location zoning and numbering, capable of accommodating expansion without necessitating a complete overhaul of the numbering system.

Segmenting a warehouse into zones is crucial for efficient operations. Zoning by customer or customer group proves practical for warehouses managing substantial inventories. While this simplifies inventory control, it may lead to suboptimal space and staff utilisation due to differing storage requirements and peak periods across zones. Another common zoning method involves organising products based on demand, with fast-moving items placed near the front for easier access.

Each location is assigned a unique identifier, comprising the warehouse identity, rack number, level, and bay. For instance, W1-07-02-01 denotes a location in warehouse 1, rack 7, level 2, bay 1. For block or floor stacking, a simpler identifier suffices, such as W1-BA-02 for warehouse 1, block A, bay 2.

Proper labelling of storage locations is essential, ensuring visibility on racks and on the floor or suspended from the ceiling for block and floor stacking areas. Modern warehouse labels facilitate scanning by radio frequency or barcode scanners.

Cargo Protection

Warehouses must safeguard cargo from damage and theft. While products are often stacked in storage, not all items are suitable for stacking. The ability to stack varies based on packaging strength and load evenness. Simple solutions like cardboard sheets protect pallets from forklift damage and prevent warehouse dust from settling on top of products.

Housekeeping

Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness is fundamental to achieving storage excellence. Regular activities such as vacuuming or mopping warehouse floors, dusting stored cargo, stretch wrapping pallets before storage, and closing opened carton boxes contribute to this effort. Additionally, consolidating partly picked pallets with the same products on a weekly (for high turnover items) and monthly (for low turnover items) basis optimises storage space utilisation.

Dr. Marco Tieman

CEO, LBB International