High-quality warehouse management can make a significant difference in the operation of your business and the level of productivity you can expect out of it. Over the long term, better warehouse management and organization will save you time, help you keep all of your necessities in stock, help you make more effective use of existing space and cut some of your costs to reduce your overhead. Working with a knowledgeable distribution center supplier in Ohio can also have a huge impact on your success.
Here are just a few examples of some strategies you can employ as part of a more effective warehouse inventory management process:
- Create a plan for your space: To make more effective use of your warehouse space, you need to focus much more on planning out how you’ll use that space, both now and in the future. Your goal should be to establish a setup that allows you to create more efficient routes for staff and save time on stocking.
- Consider how you’ll arrange inventory: There are certain items you have that will be used more frequently than others. It only makes sense to keep those more frequently used items in more easily accessible areas. Items that rarely get used can be put in out-of-the-way locations so you can prioritize fast-moving stock instead, which will ultimately cut down on the amount of time it will take for you to load and unload those products.
- Be smart with your labeling: Every single piece of inventory you have in your warehouse should be assigned a SKU (stock keeping unit) number. Having these clear, visible labels makes it much easier for you to identify specific products, especially when they are in their packaging. Depending on your needs, you might also consider using barcodes. You should keep this system up to date.
- Train your staff: Your warehouse inventory system should be a key component of training for your warehouse staff. Everyone should understand their role in maintaining an efficient, organized operation. Knowledgeable staff will make all your warehouse operations run smoothly and prevent you from creating a messy environment in which it becomes easy to lose track of items.
- Implement thorough safety procedures: While this might not have to do with inventory management, it is important to note that a safe warehouse is more likely to be an efficient one. All equipment should be used properly by trained employees, potential danger areas should be clearly marked and all items should be stored properly. These types of practices will prevent potential accidents that could not only jeopardize the safety of your employees, but also the organization and layout of your warehouse.
- Be flexible: Over time, your business’s needs are likely to change. You should make it a point to regularly re-evaluate your inventory management processes to determine if there are any changes you could make in your warehouse that will benefit your company and keep you operating as efficiently as possible.
Interested in learning more about inventory management? Experienced distribution center suppliers in Ohio like Lamberson Packaging Solutions are here to help. Contact us today to learn more.