Friday, July 17, 2009

Relocating A Warehouse

Moving a warehouse can be an overwhelming task to say the least. It is recommended that you begin planning a year or more in advance. You need to consider transitioning everything from marketing to packing and everything must be coordinated so that you mitigate time that the warehouse is not in operation and that there is no disruption in service.

Organization is a key element is making a smooth transition. Begin by making a list of everything that must be considered during the move; everything from informing the employees and customers to creating new marketing material.

Communication is probably the most important aspect of relocating to a new facility. Employees should be notified as soon as possible and told why, when, where, and what will be involved in making such a major move. It is important to give your employees a sense of security during a period of upheaval.

Moving inventory will be a considerable portion of your budget and time. Sit down with your management team to determine the amount of inventory that will be moved, how much will fit in a truck load, time to load and unload as well as amount of time to make a round trip. This will assist you to determine how much time is needed to move your inventory. Remember to allow a ten percent buffer in case of delays.

Anticipating cost involves a multitude of calculations and the above is just an inkling of what is involved. If the task is too overwhelming for you or your team, consider hiring a project manager or consultant to organize it for you. A bit of investment could mean a considerable savings in the end.

1 comment:

Si said...

Should IT team be also involved in the relocation of warehouse project? as some of the ERP system like WMS will be changed as the warehouse relocated.

 
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