- Ideals of an organization must start at the top. Make accuracy one of the ideal attributes for the company. Maintaining accurate records is mandatory in order to run a successful warehouse.
- There are many areas in the warehouse to improve efficiency. Establish checklists for integral processes. In addition, have employees and managers work together to double check that procedures are done properly.
- Employee training is extremely important. Even seasoned employees need additional training or refresher courses to keep their minds sharp. New employees should be paired with those with experience for a few months. This will expedite the a new employee's learning of their job and strengthen potential managerial skills of older employees.
- Establish standards for your warehouse. Standards set the pace for production and let employees know what is expected from their performance.
- Each employee needs to be accountable for their work. Many warehouses have checklists that must be signed by employees ensuring that work and proper safety precautions was performed. Documentation makes it easier to track employee progress and to use as a basis for promotions or terminations.
- All decisions and procedures should be reevaluated on a monthly basis. Some theories do not materialize well. It is necessary to examine what systems work best in each particular warehouse.
Sources
Inventory Management Talk
US Small Business Administration
Showing posts with label warehouse services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label warehouse services. Show all posts
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saving on Shipping
Rising fuel costs has become a major business issue. For those using warehouses as part of their business plan, fuel costs cannot be avoided, but shipping costs can. The following post provides information and suggestions for saving on shipping.
- Use a business credit card for shipping costs. Many carriers and credit card companies offer discounts for usage. Some credit companies have deals established with carriers; discounts are available when particular carrier companies are used. In addition, using a business credit card can help in acquiring points that can be used towards equipment, traveling, other services, etc.
- Consider using electronic postage. Considerable price reductions are available for individual and bulk shipping.
- Use multiple, smaller warehouses to store goods. Some businesses may have a high concentration of customers in particular locations. Storing goods close to the customer can save a company money on shipping costs.
- Receive quotes from several sources. Get prices from at least three separate warehouses. Different warehouses may offer more services. A discount in shipping may apply to a company that gives a warehouse a good deal of business.
- Consider joining a business or trade organization. Some organizations offer shipping discounts to members.
- Plan your business carefully. Last-minute shipping costs can be drastically higher when compared to those with a two to three day time cushion.
- Get the most out of every shipment. Some suggest that you should not send out a shipment unless the truck is more than eighty-five percent full. This can be helped by making customers pay more for overnight shipping or pay less if they can wait up to five business days for their goods.
- Negotiate with suppliers and middlemen. Sometimes other business entities could share the costs with you or help save money.
- Use a business credit card for shipping costs. Many carriers and credit card companies offer discounts for usage. Some credit companies have deals established with carriers; discounts are available when particular carrier companies are used. In addition, using a business credit card can help in acquiring points that can be used towards equipment, traveling, other services, etc.
- Consider using electronic postage. Considerable price reductions are available for individual and bulk shipping.
- Use multiple, smaller warehouses to store goods. Some businesses may have a high concentration of customers in particular locations. Storing goods close to the customer can save a company money on shipping costs.
- Receive quotes from several sources. Get prices from at least three separate warehouses. Different warehouses may offer more services. A discount in shipping may apply to a company that gives a warehouse a good deal of business.
- Consider joining a business or trade organization. Some organizations offer shipping discounts to members.
- Plan your business carefully. Last-minute shipping costs can be drastically higher when compared to those with a two to three day time cushion.
- Get the most out of every shipment. Some suggest that you should not send out a shipment unless the truck is more than eighty-five percent full. This can be helped by making customers pay more for overnight shipping or pay less if they can wait up to five business days for their goods.
- Negotiate with suppliers and middlemen. Sometimes other business entities could share the costs with you or help save money.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Safety Tips for Warehouse Workers
Your workers are important to you in many ways. During the hustle and bustle of business days, and through the worry of making extra dollars, we sometimes lose sight of important issues such as safety.
OSHA has suggested a number of safety tips for you to make workers aware of in order to keep them in good health. Consider the following tips.
- Be careful and think before acting at all times. If you are under a tight time schedule, then be especially careful. An employee is more prone to carelessness when they are rushing to get a job done.
- Treat your body right. Get plenty of rest, eat well, and drink fluids during working hours. Fatigue is not good for your workers or for your business.
- There is nothing macho about getting hurt. Warehouse workers may sometimes neglect to use equipment and resources that can help them do their job. Hoists, pulleys, dollies, and other helpful items should be readily available.
- Wear hardhats, gloves, belts, steel-tipped boots and other clothing that is relevant to warehouse work.
- Make sure all workers are properly trained in using all equipment. Let workers know that it is okay to ask questions. Training should be mandatory and workers should work with an experienced partner before using equipment alone.
- Hold fire and other emergency evacuation drills. The safety of personnel greatly increases during an accident when drills are regularly performed.
- Make sure workers take precautionary measures when working in extreme temperatures. Hot conditions call for clothing that allows the body to breathe and ingestion of a lot of liquids. Cold temperatures call for proper clothing and stretching of muscles to promote proper circulation.
- Make warehouse workers aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide. Install a detector, and let all personnel know of its odorless and colorless presence.
- Any worker that is working with or around hazardous chemicals needs to be well trained before performing any duties.
Sources
OSHA
OSHA has suggested a number of safety tips for you to make workers aware of in order to keep them in good health. Consider the following tips.
- Be careful and think before acting at all times. If you are under a tight time schedule, then be especially careful. An employee is more prone to carelessness when they are rushing to get a job done.
- Treat your body right. Get plenty of rest, eat well, and drink fluids during working hours. Fatigue is not good for your workers or for your business.
- There is nothing macho about getting hurt. Warehouse workers may sometimes neglect to use equipment and resources that can help them do their job. Hoists, pulleys, dollies, and other helpful items should be readily available.
- Wear hardhats, gloves, belts, steel-tipped boots and other clothing that is relevant to warehouse work.
- Make sure all workers are properly trained in using all equipment. Let workers know that it is okay to ask questions. Training should be mandatory and workers should work with an experienced partner before using equipment alone.
- Hold fire and other emergency evacuation drills. The safety of personnel greatly increases during an accident when drills are regularly performed.
- Make sure workers take precautionary measures when working in extreme temperatures. Hot conditions call for clothing that allows the body to breathe and ingestion of a lot of liquids. Cold temperatures call for proper clothing and stretching of muscles to promote proper circulation.
- Make warehouse workers aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide. Install a detector, and let all personnel know of its odorless and colorless presence.
- Any worker that is working with or around hazardous chemicals needs to be well trained before performing any duties.
Sources
OSHA
Friday, October 3, 2008
Handling Heat Effectively in the Warehouse
Your warehouses may be in different geographic locations throughout the world. Depending on that region's climate, the conditions may lower employee productivity.
The following post provides some suggestions in regards to lowering the effects of heat and raising the production output of your warehouse.
- Installing air conditioning in your warehouse is optimal, but not always practical. Floor and ceiling fans can help combat the humidity in the air and the fatigue of workers.
- Any warehouse area with machinery or mechanisms that cause friction can be hotter than other areas. Focus on installing fans or vents in these concentrated areas.
- It is extremely important for workers to stay hydrated. It is suggested to keep water bottles available for workers or to give them access to multiple water coolers. The chance of heat stroke or exhaustion rises when water is not ingested frequently during hot weather and/or working conditions involving manual labor.
- Vinyl strip doors and curtains may not appear to be effective in climate control, but they are indeed. Install vinyl strips along dock doors and other partitions throughout your warehouse. The strips are great in keeping hot air outside while maintaining a cool climate inside of the warehouse.
Sources
Cisco-Eagle
The following post provides some suggestions in regards to lowering the effects of heat and raising the production output of your warehouse.
- Installing air conditioning in your warehouse is optimal, but not always practical. Floor and ceiling fans can help combat the humidity in the air and the fatigue of workers.
- Any warehouse area with machinery or mechanisms that cause friction can be hotter than other areas. Focus on installing fans or vents in these concentrated areas.
- It is extremely important for workers to stay hydrated. It is suggested to keep water bottles available for workers or to give them access to multiple water coolers. The chance of heat stroke or exhaustion rises when water is not ingested frequently during hot weather and/or working conditions involving manual labor.
- Vinyl strip doors and curtains may not appear to be effective in climate control, but they are indeed. Install vinyl strips along dock doors and other partitions throughout your warehouse. The strips are great in keeping hot air outside while maintaining a cool climate inside of the warehouse.
Sources
Cisco-Eagle
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Warehousing Q&A
How quickly can my warehouse process an order?
Warehouses are usually quick. It is likely that a morning order can be shipped that day and an afternoon can be shipped early the next.
Will I have to communicate with my warehouse vendor each time I want to know the status of my account?
Most vendors have a computer system established. At any time you can view the history of orders, leave messages, see numbers relating to stock, etc.
Do I have to use their account for shipping?
You will have the freedom to use your own trucking company, your own Federal Express or UPS account, or use the one owned by the warehouse service.
What if my products arrive from production not completely assembled?
Most warehouse have added services that handle such things. There are even processes that involve partial assembly or combining several idle components. The process is called 'pick packing' or 'kitting.'
Does my company need to be a certain size in order to acquire the services of a warehouse provider?
No. Warehouses charge in relation to the amount of space you use. You do not need to have a big business in order to use their services.
Warehouses are usually quick. It is likely that a morning order can be shipped that day and an afternoon can be shipped early the next.
Will I have to communicate with my warehouse vendor each time I want to know the status of my account?
Most vendors have a computer system established. At any time you can view the history of orders, leave messages, see numbers relating to stock, etc.
Do I have to use their account for shipping?
You will have the freedom to use your own trucking company, your own Federal Express or UPS account, or use the one owned by the warehouse service.
What if my products arrive from production not completely assembled?
Most warehouse have added services that handle such things. There are even processes that involve partial assembly or combining several idle components. The process is called 'pick packing' or 'kitting.'
Does my company need to be a certain size in order to acquire the services of a warehouse provider?
No. Warehouses charge in relation to the amount of space you use. You do not need to have a big business in order to use their services.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Find a Warehouse Near Your Hot Spot
Warehouse services are helpful to small to mid-size businesses that do not own a housing unit of their own. Along with other factors to consider in outsourcing, a business must think about the location of the warehouse.
Many warehouses exist in the middle of the country. The rationale behind this geographic decision is that the warehouse is equidistant to all borders, thus theoretically making shipping costs the lowest.
Do research and find out where your company's 'hot spots' reside. This way, you can choose a warehouse that is closest to the highest number of customers.
Warehouse news:
How to Work the Warehouse - WashingtonPost.com
Warehouse Management Systems - A Top-Shelf Solution - DC Velocity
Many warehouses exist in the middle of the country. The rationale behind this geographic decision is that the warehouse is equidistant to all borders, thus theoretically making shipping costs the lowest.
Do research and find out where your company's 'hot spots' reside. This way, you can choose a warehouse that is closest to the highest number of customers.
Warehouse news:
How to Work the Warehouse - WashingtonPost.com
Warehouse Management Systems - A Top-Shelf Solution - DC Velocity
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Work with Your Warehouse Vendor
Outsourcing is a popular convention in the business-to-business world. Companies choose to outsource because it provides them the opportunity to focus on their business rather than engage in peripheral tasks to keep it running.
Though the outsourced provider handles your needs, it can still be advantageous to learn about their services, keep contact, and offer suggestions.
Warehousing is used by many companies without a place to store their goods after production. Warehouse services usually charge based on the amount of space used. Playing a part in how your goods are stored in your warehouse is a good decision.
Software is available to help you visualize optimal arrangements for your goods in order to save money on storage expenses.
Learn more about warehousing services:
Know the Advantage of Warehousing Facilities
What You Need to Know About Warehouses
Warehouse Services FAQ
Though the outsourced provider handles your needs, it can still be advantageous to learn about their services, keep contact, and offer suggestions.
Warehousing is used by many companies without a place to store their goods after production. Warehouse services usually charge based on the amount of space used. Playing a part in how your goods are stored in your warehouse is a good decision.
Software is available to help you visualize optimal arrangements for your goods in order to save money on storage expenses.
Learn more about warehousing services:
Know the Advantage of Warehousing Facilities
What You Need to Know About Warehouses
Warehouse Services FAQ
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