Distribution centers are the foundation of supply chains. They depend on technology to maintain relationships with their customers and suppliers. Distribution center processes should be intact. They are necessary to prevent or reduce labor and cycle time errors and increase service and precision. This guide will provide you with some tips that every distribution center should implement.
Ways To Maintain Maximum Efficiency
Here are some warehouse and distribution center best practices that you can use to ensure efficiency and accuracy in your company.
Keep a Record of Everything
It is critical that you keep track of all materials as they move through the warehouse. Additionally, all materials and other items should be placed on the right shelving. When you receive incoming packaging, everything should be scanned and assigned to designated areas. Items that typically move fast should be kept in a separate area that is easily accessible.
Collection of Data
It is also important that you consider automatically recording data. This can expand accuracy and performance. As a result, your labor costs will be reduced. A great way to collect real-time information is by utilizing frequency ID tags and bar codes. This enables items to leave the dock swiftly and prevents mistakes that your employees could make.
Increases Perceptibility of Performance
Tracking, collecting, and synching data increases the perceptibility of operations within any warehouse distribution center. Implementing software solutions such as Enterprise Resource Planning can also make the process of accessing data easier.
Change the Layout of the Warehouse
Altering the layout of your warehouse to enhance it can ensure that your supply chain runs smoothly. Or, it could have the opposite effect. This step could really take some time as you continuously make adjustments until you find what works best for your operation. This means that you may have to move items around frequently.
Additionally, you should ensure that your aisles are clear and big enough to house pallets and forklifts and allow foot traffic to move through. Furthermore, your loading docks and packing center should be within close distance of one another.
Perform Frequent Audits
One of the most useful tools is performing warehouse audits on a consistent basis. These audits allow managers to evaluate the performance of their employees and determine the areas that could use some refinement. Warehouse managers can then use this data to keep a record of performance metrics.
These audits should also be utilized to ensure that the expiration dates of products are still good and to confirm that all safety guidelines are being followed.
Create a Flawless Returns Process
It is not possible to avoid returns. You can expect an average return rate between 15% to 30%, according to RetailWire. The best thing to do is to create a system that can efficiently deal with these returns. Also, it will enable you to utilize reverse logistics. Distribution centers can easily drive repeat sales following an easy return process. Customers are more likely to shop again if they are pleased with their return experience. The bottom line is simple, set up a flawless returns process.