17 Nov Warehouse Rack – a Simple Solution to Big Problems
Improving Productivity
These days, everyone is looking for ways to improve productivity and efficiency in their warehouse or distribution center. With surging marketplace demands, operations are looking to move product at a faster rate than ever before. Competition as well as operational bottlenecks have encouraged many to automize their systems or risk falling behind. And it’s true, for many this is the best solution to keep operations running at market pace.
However, automation isn’t the only option for improving workplace productivity. In fact, it may slow some operations down who aren’t prepared for such a big change financially or operationally. There’s a much simpler solution to the big problems warehouses and distribution centers are facing – improving warehouse rack systems.
The Benefits of Proper Warehouse Design and Rack
With an optimized warehouse design and rack system, an operation stands to benefit in a number of key ways:
1. Maneuverability
A warehouse that is properly designed will allow for easy maneuverability. This means that the rack systems in place work in harmony with the equipment being used in an operation. In automized spaces, this may mean wire-guided forklifts that travel along invisible pathways through the racking system. However, automation is by no means necessary to improve maneuverability in a warehouse or distribution center. All that’s required is that the rack system be placed with the equipment in mind so that there is plenty of room for operators to travel and turn in an aisle.
2. Storage Space
The primary purpose of warehouse rack is to utilize potential storage space in a warehouse or DC. With that said, many operations don’t make the best use of this space. Consider if rows can be situated closer together while still allowing for maneuverability to make room for additional rows. In order to create more storage space, warehouse rack can also be built up. It’s also important to make sure that the space between shelves makes sense for the product you’re storing. There are countless ways to improve your storage capacity simply by optimizing your racking system.
3. Operational Efficiency
Finally, proper warehouse design and racking can greatly improve operational efficiency. It’s key to productivity that a warehouse or distribution center be laid out in such a way that minimizes time from truck to rack and vice versa. With the right rack system and design in place, seconds that add up to minutes and minutes that add up to hours can be shaved off of the time it takes to transport product around the warehouse or distribution center.
Optimize Your Warehouse Rack
Don’t spend all your time and money to automize when it’s more beneficial to assess your warehouse design and racking system first. By ensuring your warehouse racking is optimized for maneuverability, storage space, and operational efficiency, your operation stands to greatly improve efficiency and productivity.
Schedule a free consultation today with one of our warehouse specialists to discuss how you can best improve operations.
For more information on this topic, check out DC Velocity’s article, Keep it Simple , Kids.
