fulfillment-and-distribution-powered-by-r+l-global-logistics-warehousing
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

How Are Warehouses Organized To Maximize Efficiency?

How to Organize a Warehouse to Maximize Efficiency
Last Modified: October 30, 2024
Poor organization can seriously stifle the operations of a warehouse. Poor inventory management and slow shipping times for bulk orders can easily become a reality. Fortunately, there are numerous organizational practices that prevent such problems and help a warehouse run efficiently.  Key tak
Jacob Lee
April 15, 2020
Share This Article
copy-link-to-clipboard Copy URL to Clipboard

Poor organization can seriously stifle the operations of a warehouse. Poor inventory management and slow shipping times for bulk orders can easily become a reality. Fortunately, there are numerous organizational practices that prevent such problems and help a warehouse run efficiently. 

Key takeaways:

  • Warehouses are kept organized through floor plans, appropriate storage solutions, labels, inventory management software, and comprehensive worker training.
  • Performance audits, equipment maintenance, and adherence to the 85% rule allows warehouses to maintain their efficiency after being organized. 
  • 3PLs are experts at warehouse organization, and their services can help businesses maximize their logistics operations.  

In the following sections, I’ll go through the different ways warehouses are organized. 

How Are Warehouses Organized?

There are different methods that third-party logistics (3PL) providers and large retailers use when structuring their facilities. 

  • Designing a floor plan
  • Selecting the storage solutions
  • Labeling storage assets
  • Utilizing inventory management software
  • Teaching safety practices to warehouse personnel

In the following sections, I’ll explain each of these practices and explain how they keep a warehouse running efficiently.

Designing A Floor Plan

Designing an efficient floor plan sets the groundwork for a successful warehouse. There are multiple angles that 3PLs consider when they create one.

  • Determining how much space is needed
  • Leaving enough space for workers and equipment
  • Creating efficient traffic flows
  • Allocating areas for equipment and work stations
  • Grouping similar products together

3PLs start designing a floor plan by considering how much room they have in their facility. Once this is done, they’ll plan the layout of the warehouse by grid. This allows 3PLs to optimize available space when designing their floor plan. 

Warehouses can vary in size, but I’ve provided some data that shows the typical square feet you’ll find in small, medium, and large facilities. 

The graphic shows a table of different warehouse sizes. The first row is dark green and shows small warehouses have a size of 10,000 to 17,500 square feet. The second row is lime green and shows medium warehouses have a size of 17,500 to 25,000 square feet. The third row is orange and shows warehouses have a size of 25,000 square feet or more.

Keep in mind, warehouses can be smaller than 10,000 square feet, while others can be much larger than 25,000 square feet. These are just the average measurements that businesses and 3PL’s have to work with when organizing their floor layout. 

Safety is an important concern in a warehouse environment. That’s why the most productive facilities leave enough room for workers and their equipment to maneuver through walkways and aisles. 

Efficient traffic flows also help with movement inside a warehouse. This makes it easier for workers to access every part of the facility quickly and easily. 

Equipment that isn’t in use is kept in designated storage areas. Incorporating these areas into the layout prevents clutter. Space in the facility is allocated to work stations as well. 

A good floor plan ensures similar products are kept in the same vicinity. This will make storing and retrieving pallets much easier for warehouse staff to perform. 

Looking for a solution to store and ship your products seamlessly? Let R+L Global Logistics be your fulfillment and distribution partner.

Select Storage Solutions

Products can come in different shapes and sizes. That’s why it’s essential for warehouses to use the appropriate storage systems to keep them running efficiently. 

This can include:

  • Racks
  • Shelves 
  • Mezzanine flooring

For temperature-sensitive items, coolers, and refrigerators might be used as well. In many cases, warehouses utilize multiple storage solutions to accommodate the products they store and ship. 

Labeling Storage Assets

Storage areas inside a warehouse are given labels that contain information that’s used for tracking, storing, and retrieving palletized goods. There are a variety of labels that staff will use, including: 

  • Barcodes
  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels
  • Quick Response (QR) Codes
  • Near Field Communication (NFC) labels
  • Holographic labels

While each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages, the label a company or 3PL uses ultimately comes down to their specific needs.

Related: Inventory Tracking Technology

Inventory Management Systems

Inventory management systems play a critical role in the efficiency of a warehouse. Managing all the freight that comes through a facility is extremely difficult to do manually. 

Thanks to this cutting edge technology, warehouse staff can easily keep track of where items are located. This and your labeling system must be able to work together. This is essential when it’s time to locate products and prepare them for shipping.  

Training for Warehouse Staff

The most important part of an efficient warehouse is the staff operating it. Facilities function the best when their workers receive good training. 

Many companies teach their staff the following concepts:

  • Forklift safety
  • Hazard awareness
  • Emergency procedure
  • Inventory management 
  • Loading and unloading
  • Equipment operation

Well-rounded training courses gives warehouse staff the tools they need to be successful. As a result, the facility runs better.  

How Is Efficiency Maintained In A Warehouse?

Once a warehouse is organized and tested, specific protocols must be followed for it to maintain its efficiency. 

  • Performance audits
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Adherence to the 85% rule

Routine performance audits carefully analyze warehouse operations. The purpose is to identify inefficiencies and improve them with tailored solutions. 

A warehouse can come to a complete standstill if its equipment begins to breakdown. Maintaining equipment and addressing malfunctions before they occur can prevent this from happening. 

Efficiency is also maintained using the 85% rule. Most warehouses begin to lose their operational effectiveness when their storage capacity reaches 85%. This can cause a variety of problems.

  • Safety hazards
  • Increased warehouse congestion
  • Difficulty identifying products
  • Longer handling times

Retailers and 3PLs keep their storage levels below 85% to prevent these problems from happening. 

How Outsourcing To A 3PL Can Help Maximize Your Logistics Efficiency 

Making a warehouse run efficiently can be extremely difficult if you have little or no logistics experience. Fortunately, finding a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) provider to handle your warehousing needs can maximize the efficiency of your business.

Instead of taking the time to set up an efficient warehouse by yourself (a costly and time-consuming expense), you can get your logistics up a running by hiring a 3PL. They already have the experience and knowledge required to run an optimal warehouse. 

They also perform services for a variety of other companies, which means you won’t have to wait long for them to start handling your storage and distribution operations. 

Warehousing and Fulfillment Services with R+L Global Logistics

If you’re ready to experience high-level and quality 3PL services, then Fulfillment & Distribution is ready to help. We provide a variety of storage and distribution solutions. We also have facilities located throughout the U.S. that can help you reach new markets and customers. 

This includes:

  • Atlanta, GA 
  • Dallas, TX
  • Houston, TX
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Kansas City, MI

Partner with Fulfillment & Distribution today by filling out a quote. If you have questions about our specific services, then give our team a call at (866) 989-3082

Looking for a solution to store and ship your products seamlessly? Let R+L Global Logistics be your fulfillment and distribution partner.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS
7 Warehouse Order Picking Methods For Accuracy and Efficiency
How Pallet In Pallet Out Can Improve Your Inventory Flow
Retail Logistics: Solutions for Supply Chain Management
Retail Shipping Warehouse: From the Shelves To the Shop
Benefits of a 3PL for Retail Order Fulfillment
Fulfillment Optimization: Improving Distribution Potential
Retail Fulfillment Services: A Key for Success and Low Costs
Flow Through Distribution: Boost Efficiency and Speed
Putaway Process: A Thorough Guide to Efficient Warehousing
3PL Solutions For Retailers: Optimize Shipping and Delivery
GET A QUOTE
close