Searching for a New Warehouse: From a Forklift Guy’s Point of View

Looking for a new space for your warehouse has its challenges but also has advantages. When companies are growing quickly, they address their current space requirements but don’t always anticipate the future while addressing the present. When moving into a new space, customers are presented with a clean palette to create an efficient workflow customized for their business. But there is a lot to consider.

The first area that needs to be addressed revolves around the amount of pallet storage needed- both now and in the future. Second, we need to determine velocity i.e. the needed throughput in and out of storage. Third, we need to address selectivity, slotting and all other application parameters. With those inputs, we can select the best fit amongst the myriad storage options and the right types of equipment for storage and retrieval.

This brings us to workflow. We need to figure out how product is going to move through the facility. Do we need areas for fulfilling orders, production, staging, unloading, charging, etc.? Where are the docks? How many do we have? Setting up an efficient material flow is crucial in decreasing labor costs and increasing overall warehouse productivity.

And don’t forget about the basics! When looking for a new space, always remember to look at the condition of the floors, the sprinklers, if the lighting has sufficient lumens and is energy efficient and if the electrical service will support my application. Floors can be a big deal if they are in bad shape. Over time, running lift trucks over cracked or pitted floors will cause premature wheel wear– which can be extraordinarily costly. Then there’s the sprinklers; the layout and configuration must take their attributes into consideration or it could require a costly and disruptive upgrade.

Let an experienced material handling provider help you plan your next space the right way and bring your warehouse efficiency to its maximum potential.