In today’s logistics environment, the efficiency of warehouse storage is not just about orderliness; it’s a cornerstone of operational excellence and cost-effectiveness. Warehouse managers grapple with maximizing space while adapting to continuous growth, unpredictable seasonal demands, and a broad spectrum of inventory.
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In this article, you will learn about the best practices to help you optimize the storage process, one of the six primary warehouse processes. With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to utilize the maximum capacity of the facility and streamline your warehouse operation.
Storage Process Objective
The warehouse storage process is the movement of goods into their most appropriate storage space. However, this is easier said than done. According to James A. Tompkins and Dale A. Harmelink, warehouses often run out of storage space due to rapid growth, seasonal peaks, and slow sales.
An efficient warehouse storage process is critical because it ensures you’re using all the available space in your warehouse. Efficiency in warehouse storage also keeps the stocks organized without compromising productivity.
How to Optimize the Storage Process
A. Calculate Your Warehouse Storage Utilization
To optimize your warehouse storage process, it’s important to analyze how much storage space is utilized within your warehouse. To help you with that, here are four simple steps for calculating your warehouse utilization.
Step 1 – Get the Total Warehouse Storage Area
Measure the total square footage of your warehouse and subtract the spaces that aren’t used for storage purposes (e.g. restrooms, offices, lunchrooms). Then, multiply the remaining square footage by the warehouse’s clear height – the distance from the finished floor of the warehouse to any overhead object such as lights, joists, or trusses.
Step 2 – Calculate the Maximum Storage Capacity Based on Current Setup
To get your maximum storage capacity, multiply the length and width of your rack’s external dimensions, also called the storage area footprint. If you’re using shelves, calculate the internal volume of your shelves. Then multiply that figure by the height of the highest load in that area – the item sitting on the top beam of the pallet rack.
Take note that the height of the highest load can possibly be different across the racks. In this case, simply calculate them separately, then add all the results together.
Step 3 – Determine the Potential Storage Area Within the Warehouse
Divide your maximum storage capacity (step 2) by the total warehouse storage area (step 1) and multiply it by 100. The ideal result is around 22%–27%, as this range indicates enough room for warehouse workers to move around efficiently without wasted space.
If your result is below 22%, it can indicate that you have a lot of wasted space. On the other hand, a result higher than 27% means that the warehouse personnel don’t have enough room to work, which can lead to lower labor productivity.
Step 4 – Calculate Your Storage Space Utilization
With a WMS (Warehouse Management System):
If you currently use a WMS, you will have all the necessary data. Simply add the volume of all products stored in your warehouse, divide the total by the maximum storage capacity (step 2), and multiply by 100.
Without a WMS:
If you aren’t using a WMS, you must manually estimate your Inventory Cube (the volume of products stored in your warehouse) to calculate your storage space utilization.
To get the Inventory Cube, divide your storage area into logical sections like individual rows or floor stack areas. Then, estimate the percentage occupancy of each area (e.g. 50%, 30%, or 80%). Take note that if you’re using the external dimensions of a rack, the area could never be more than 90% full to allow efficient material handling.
Then, multiply the estimated percentage of each area by the maximum storage capacity of each area (using step 2) and add them all together to obtain the Inventory Cube.
Finally, to get your storage space utilization, divide the Inventory Cube by the maximum storage capacity of the warehouse (step 2).
Once you have identified the current storage space utilization, you can compare it with your efforts to optimize the warehouse storage process.
B. Stay on Top of Your KPIs
It’s also important to measure your KPIs to determine the aspects you need to improve in your warehouse storage process.
1. Carrying Cost of Inventory
This indicates the cost of storing inventory over a particular time period. When measuring the carrying cost of inventory, you need to consider a variety of carrying costs, such as capital costs, storage costs, service costs, damage costs, and costs of obsolescence.
2. Storage Productivity
The storage productivity will help you determine the volume of inventory stored per square foot of your warehouse.
3. Space Utilization
This metric is used to identify the percentage of space the inventory occupies versus the total warehouse storage capacity. To obtain this, see the first tip.
4. Inventory Turnover
The metric tells you how fast an inventory is passing through your warehouse. It is used to measure the number of times an inventory was sold and replaced within a specific period of time.
5. Inventory-to-Sales Ratio
The inventory-to-sales ratio is a helpful metric to identify whether your warehouse can handle unexpected storms. It measures the amount of inventory you are carrying compared to the sales orders being fulfilled.
C. Reduce Unnecessary Aisle Space
Aisle widths determine how much space can be utilized inside a warehouse. Although it’s quite an investment to redesign your entire warehouse layout, decreasing aisle width will pay off immediately as it will increase much-needed storage.
There are three aisle systems in warehouses:
1. Wide Aisle (WA)
This is the conventional type of aisle that measures wider than 10.5 feet. A wide aisle is suitable for warehouses with a high volume of orders and doesn’t require any special equipment.
2. Narrow Aisle (NA)
Measuring around 8.5 feet to 10.5 feet, narrow aisles allow you to store up to 20% more product than normal aisles. Narrow aisle systems still allow unrestricted accessibility to individual pallets.
3. Very Narrow Aisle (VNA)
Very narrow aisles measure under 6 feet and enable warehouses to store 40%–50% more products than standard aisles. However, you should consider the additional costs that may be incurred, as this system requires special lift vehicles and even AGVs.
D. Invest in the Right Warehouse Storage System
Choosing the right warehouse storage system ensures that your space is maximized while improving warehouse efficiency.
The right storage method for your warehouse will depend on the size of your facility, product mix, and how you manage your warehouse. Here are some of the widely used storage methods in warehouses today:
1. Floor/Block Stacking
This storage method is the most common because it’s suitable for warehouses that are reasonably low in height. In block stacking, the items are packed in unit loads and stacked on the floor to their maximum safe height.
In most cases, sturdy products such as washing machines, refrigerators, canned goods, and bottles are stored this way.
2. Pallet-Flow Racking
For warehouses that handle fast-moving products with FIFO (first in, first out) stock rotation, pallet flow racking is the best option. Pallets are loaded at the upper end of sloping lanes and moved down by gravity once an item is removed during the picking process.
This storage method maximizes the use of floor space and only requires the use of two aisles – a loading face and a picking face.
3. Push-Back Racking
As opposed to pallet-flow racking, push-back racking is best used for LIFO (last in, first out) inventory management. Using structural steel rails, pallets automatically push back when an item is loaded and come forward when unloading.
4. Mezzanine Flooring/Raised Storage Area
Investing in mezzanine flooring will allow for a massive amount of additional space. It simply means constructing additional levels above your existing aisles to maximize vertical space. Some mezzanines allow a maximum of two to three levels.
E. Use Containers That Suit the Size of the Goods
Storing unpacked items inside containers is a good way to maximize space, but when done incorrectly, it can waste a lot of your valuable warehouse space. Balance Small Business explains that many warehouses make a common mistake by applying a “one size fits all” approach when choosing containers.
To achieve an efficient storage process, containers should be available in various sizes. Storing small items in smaller bins while keeping larger items in bigger containers will increase your storage capacity.
Optimizing the warehouse storage process can require a significant amount of time and money. However, the long-term results it provides will certainly benefit the success of your business. Investing in tools such as a warehouse management system will help you identify the right storage method for your facility while making it easy to analyze your warehouse storage space utilization.
Now that you’re equipped with all this information, you can start improving your storage process in the warehouse and make good use of any untapped space.
To start optimizing your storage process, go to our Solutions Finder tool. You will also find solutions for your other warehouse processes there. Click “Find Solutions” below.
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