This works best if you already have a warehouse that is up and running because it’s easier to document its process. One way to ensure that your schematics account for your business is to create a process map that you can visualize with your blueprint to ensure that everything is moving smoothly. It’s even a smart idea to create multiple blueprints so you can at least be sure that you’ve gone through multiple options and compared and contrasted the pros and cons of each to find the perfect solution for your needs.ĭeveloping the perfect floor plan for your warehouse takes time, so don’t take any shortcuts and exhaust all possibilities before deciding on one.Ĭreate a Process Map of the Day to Day Operations You need to first create a schematic or blueprint and get your ideas on paper to look for areas of potential weaknesses (for example, if you’re ‘A’ product is too far from the loading dock). Start With a Schematic/Blueprintįor those who want a total overhaul or are just starting to put together their first warehouse, don’t try and wing it from the start. That’s why it’s important to reassess your inventory layout and picking paths so that you can optimize them for your updated inventory. However, sometimes product demand changes or new inventory enter your warehouse. It’s a great system that produces great results. Meanwhile, your ‘C’ inventory will be less valuable items that don’t produce as much value for your business. So, your more premium products that produce more in revenue and profit are located in a location where they are easier to manage. With this method, you’re organizing your stock based on its internal value. When you first organized where each individual type of inventory was located within your warehouse floor plan, you probably organized using something similar to the ABC method. Review Your Pick Paths to Optimize Efficiency Every Year or So By tightening the bow on inventory going to and from your warehouse, you can become much more efficient. If the layout of these two spaces is too busy or not streamlined, it can cause problems throughout the warehouse. Whether they located in the same location, right next to one another, or on opposite sides of the warehouse, your goods-in/goods-out layout should be clear of clutter and should be organized so that the inventory can be moved throughout easier.
What many warehouse managers fail to understand is just how important the layout is for these areas of your warehouse. The goods-in and goods-out portion of your warehouse are exactly what they sound like-it’s where your inventory enters the warehouse and where it leaves to be shipped or loaded up. Here are five warehouse floor plan ideas that will help take your warehouse to the next level.įirst up, make sure not to ignore the Goods-in and Goods-out area of your warehouse. In fact, you may find that they go hand in hand. Do you feel like your warehouse could be operating more efficiently?Ī key part of operating an efficient warehouse is understanding that the warehouse floor plan and layout are just as important as the processes that you implement.