Warehouse and distribution centers should be able to rely on accurate, efficient and reliable data to ensure peak performance. Using the right scales such as warehouse floor scales help in assuring employee safety, reducing costs and speeds up processes. Moreover, accurate weighing will help you comply with the necessary regulations, reduce customer complaints and avoid […]
Tag Archives | warehouse
Follow These 13 Lean Principles to Eliminate Waste in the Warehouse
In managing and improving the operations of your warehouse, consider Lean initiatives to eliminate all waste and bring value to your customers beyond their expectations. Here are 13 principles to follow. 1. Communicate effectively and often. Clearly communicating to workers your organizational goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and the processes to achieve them is one […]
Complete List of Warehouse Cost Savings Initiatives
Here is a comprehensive list of warehouse cost savings ideas, categorized by 6 core areas: Labor, Operations, Equipment Usage Optimization, Technology, and Facilities Management. Labor Invest in training/re-certification Cross-train all employees Focus on retention/implement retention plans Use temporary/contract labor help where applicable Use flextime Revise your labor scheduling strategy Observe starting and quitting times Move […]
Inventory Variances: Does the Net Tell the Truth?
Across our six locations, our physical inventory variance was zero and we’re proud of it. This tells you exactly nothing. A Tale of Jack and the Pride of It All… Jack is the owner of an industrial products supplier with five sales/inventory warehouses including one large distribution center. Jack called me and asked if I […]
Do You Have a “Strategy for Speed?” Start by Conquering the “10 Plus Wastes”
There is always much talk about the basic technology (and supplemental technology) solutions that are designed to optimize systems in an effort to work “smarter” in a distribution center or warehouse–to possess a “strategy for speed.” Managers are now under more pressure than ever (and they should be) to carve out space and optimize throughput. […]
Warehouse Key Performance Indicators
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measures of a company’s strengths and weaknesses of the business. They should be used in comparison to the external competition and internal customers to improve company’s economic standing. In Supply Chain, the warehouse is a critical function. Should products not move effortlessly within the warehouse, a business could come to face […]
Does Your Warehouse Make the Grade?
When reviewing your operational performance, grade yourself on how your business rates in the following best practice areas: 1. Receiving Does the receiving clerk keep a receiving log, indicating dock activity for each shipment by date? This log can prove valuable for reference purposes by purchasing, accounting, and in filing claims with carriers and suppliers. […]
