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6 Steps to Designing an Efficient Warehouse Racking System

Designing an efficient layout for your warehouse racking system can be a daunting task. You have to take into account the flow of the work and how well your employees can access you product. If your floor and racking system are not efficient, your workers will slow down, product will not get out as quickly, and you will lose money. There are a variety of factors to take into account when you plan your system. These factors include: use of floor and vertical space, inventory access, docking locations, shipping areas, and other components. Here are 6 steps to help you get the most efficiency out of your warehouse floor.

Consult Your Contractors and Managers. Instead of diving head first into designing your layout right away, consult with some of your contractors, other warehouse managers, and your drivers. These people have had years of experience and can communicate to you what types of systems have worked for them in the past.

Know Your Storage Requirements. Consider the goods you are storing and the amount of access required to move these products. Also take into consideration the flow of the products you are moving. Keep high flow products in an area where you can access them easily.

Maximize Warehouse Space. Find out which racking arrangements have worked for others in the past, and make the most of your storage space. Avoid putting racks against walls and arranging racks in short bursts rather than long aisles as both of these types of layouts waste space in your warehouse.

Plan for Expansion. You may want to expand your warehouse someday, so plan for that sooner than later. Invest in a modular racking system which can be moved and rearranged as needed.

Go Mobile. Invest in movable pallet racks to utilize the aisle space in your warehouse. Almost any item can be stored on movable pallet racks, so you do not have to waste space or rearrange for certain items which  can only be stored on certain racks.

Choose Durability. Racking systems are not a small investment, so do not treat them like one. Take the time to consider the durability of the racks you need in your warehouse. Cheaper, less durable racks will need to be replaced more often than the more expensive and more durable options. The racks may cost more up front, but they will save you more money in the long run. Consider your future and invest in durability.