Six Ways to Increase Distribution Center Productivity to Match Increasing Demands

Without an adequate amount of storage space as well as optimal use of that storage space, a warehouse or distribution center has no way to keep up with the demands. For peak productivity, storage space must be optimized so product can be moved as demand requires.

A distribution center must have the right systems in place to efficiently move product from point A to point B. There are a number of factors that play into warehouse and DC efficiency from warehouse design to equipment usage even down to the training of staff. In our modern era there are also a number of tools that work to automate processes to bring more efficiency or to assess current processes and make recommendations for improvements.

The design of a warehouse can make or break an operation. Make sure that your aisle structure makes sense. Could aisles be laid out differently to increase storage space? Does your shipping and receiving set up make sense for easy come and go of products? Are your battery charging stations easily accessible while also minimizing their use of floorspace? If you feel there’s room for improvement, contact a warehouse design consultant to come up with the right solutions to maximize your space.

Have a storage issue? The quickest way to maximize space in an already-packed warehouse is to build up with your racking. The closer you get to the ceiling, the more underutilized space there typically is in a warehouse or distribution center. Make use of that valuable space by building up with your warehouse rack. Even just a single additional row will make a massive difference in the storage capacity of your facility.

If your operations uses electric forklifts, forklift battery performance can make or break your efficiency. There are many warehouses that have more forklifts than they need simply because their battery usage is inefficient. Operators should aim to get the optimal amount of use out of a forklift possible before rolling it into the charging station and switching out lifts. The same goes for charging; if forklift are brought off of a charging station before charging is complete, battery efficiency and, therefore, productivity decreases. Consult with a motive power expert to find out the best maintenance and usage routines for your forklift batteries so you can keep them running at top performance.

These days, there are lots of options out there for capturing good quality data in a warehouse or distribution center. These data analytics tools will reveal where inefficiencies lie in forklift fleets. They will flag when a forklift needs service, help note forklifts left idle (which illuminates how your operators are spending their time), and much more. But these analytics don’t exist just for the sake of providing more charts to assess. They offer much needed insights that allow you to then make the best decisions to increase productivity in your warehouse. You may be able to cut out forklifts from your fleet, spot service needs before they fully take a forklift out of commission, and make necessary changes in your workflow to improve operational efficiency.

Automation is the future of warehouses and distribution centers. But automation doesn’t just mean self-driving forklifts or robots (though it can). There are many options for automation that are budget-friendly and increase efficiency and time-savings per product pick. For example, the Auto Positioning System works with a warehouse management system to always determine and take the most efficient route to the next SKU to pull. The Quick-Pick Remote allows lower-level order pickers to remotely advance a stock-picker as they move along the aisle, saving precious time with every step.

Finally, one of the best ways to increase productivity in your warehouse or distribution center is to prioritize forklift operator training, safety, and comfort. By providing operators (and all floor workers) with these three things, you stand to maintain a strong workforce. Training keeps employees sharp and equipped for the work. Safety allows employees to complete their jobs with confidence. And comfort helps employees work with increased ease. No matter how many productivity features are added to a warehouse or distribution center, a well-taken-care-of employee is always the best tool to have in working toward more productive operations.