The layout of your warehouse is the foundation of your operations efficiency. Your layout design can either accelerate or slow down processes like inventory management, fulfillment and returns.
Many customers turn to us for help with warehouse layout design, so we want to share a few steps we take with our clients to design a functional and effective operational layout.
Step 1: Determine your space needs
Each client has different objectives for a warehouse. Some businesses need to optimize inventory receiving, some need more pick and pack processes and others need a warehouse designed for crossdocking. Whatever your objective is, we can help you define it. We will then determine your inventory and storage needs and help plan for the amount of stock you need to store, prepare a space where it will come in and out and so forth. We will determine square footage and depending on what you are storing, we will help you figure out what you need to effectively store it. We will take into account your aisle space, pallet rack height, equipment usage, etc.
Step 2: Find a space
If you are looking for a new space, or just looking to expand, we will help you search for a space that will grow with you. We take into account baseline measurements, translated into square footage. For example, if you need to store 2,000 pallets, we can estimate you will need 25,000 square feet (using a single deep rack system) including other processing areas. Understanding your rack systems and options is critical to determining the square footage you need, so we can break this down for you.
Step 3: Create a layout
Once you have a location, we will create a layout that takes into account building column spaces, the dock location, storage equipment, height restrictions and other key factors like lighting and sprinklers, ceiling heights and Fire Marshall restrictions.
Step 4: Test the layout
Before you install pallet racks, shelves or any equipment, we recommend walking through your warehouse and taping off major work areas. Carry things through, roll pallet jacks around and have employees simulate the work environment before you move in. This will give you a thorough understanding of the space and will allow you to make changes to the layout or design before it’s too late.
Whether you are moving, adding on, building new or just want to better utilize the space you have, contact us to get in touch with our warehouse design specialists. Our design specialists offer consultations to design, plan and maximize your warehouse space.
Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION!
