A Complete Guide to Warehouse Logistics

What is warehouse logistics?

Warehouse logistics is a part of the supply chain management and refers to the physical flow of goods during shipping and reception of them, as well as the flow of information that goes with them. Product information and fulfilment times are two examples of this.

When products reach a warehouse, they go to a goods reception area (which some also refer to as a ‘put-away bay’). The warehouse then has to store them. If an order for the product comes in, an employee or a system has to locate the physical goods within the warehouse and then ship them out to the customer. This is the physical flow of goods.

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In this guide, we look at:

The Importance of Warehouse Logistics
The Role of Warehouses in a Logistics System
The Main Functions of Warehousing
Different Types of Warehouses
The Difference Between Warehousing and Logistics
The Difference Between Warehouse Logistics and the Supply Chain
Warehouse Logistics Inflow and Outflow Models
Things to do Before Setting up a Warehouse
Things to do After Setting up a Warehouse
Common Challenges Warehouses Face and How to Overcome Them

We then finish off by discussing one of our own warehouse systems, the Modular Rollerbed System for Warehouses, which can help make warehouse operations safer and more efficient.

Let’s get going by exploring the importance of warehouse logistics...

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the importance of warehouse logistics

Ultimately, warehouses provide a business with a place to store goods; with functions that get items ready for storage; and functions that consolidate, package and ship items as necessary. Efficient warehouse logistics offer businesses a variety of benefits:

they’re a central location for storage

When goods arrive at their destination, it’s the responsibility of the warehouse to take care of the goods transfers. The warehouse serves as a central unit for receiving the goods, storing them and shipping them. The operator sorts the items and then dispatches them to their temporary address. When the items must go on the move again, the operator retrieves the order; groups and packages the products; and checks them for completion before sending the order out to its final destination.

They pave the way for greater revenue

The inventory is accounted for and is in the right place at the right time when everything in the warehouse is running smoothly. Employees replenish stock when necessary. People make fewer mistakes when picking items. Systems fall into place as they should. The warehouse is more efficient overall, and fewer problems and fewer mistakes mean more revenue.

They make the stock more visible

Professional warehouse logistics and transportation services harness the power of advanced applications and strategies to account for stock and provide accurate insights of inventory. These systems allow the operator to track shipments and analyse historical performance data. Data collection and having the ability to analyse the data in real-time enables the operator to follow what’s happening when items are being shipped.

They help to secure customer satisfaction

The length of time between procuring goods and shipping them to the final recipient can be long. Good logistics, however, can shorten this cycle time and get orders to the recipient in a more reasonable time. Managing inventory and transportation well will generate consistently high levels of performance and customer satisfaction.

They play a major part in reverse logistics

Unfortunately, sometimes items have to go back. They may be faulty or damaged. The order may be wrong. The customer just might not be happy with them. Whatever the case may be, the warehouse helps the operator to manage returns more efficiently and to still keep track of its inventory.

They serve as an assembly point

Some warehouses serve not just as storage locations for goods, but also as a central assembly point. When all the different materials for a product arrive, the warehouse puts everything together and distributes it to the final recipient.

they allow more efficient packing

A warehouse often possesses the equipment and products to store, move and process customers’ orders. Loading docks, pallets and pallet racks are three examples of equipment necessary for the job. Best of all, these are all in one central location, saving you time and money. Businesses can also pack and grade goods both in line with their needs and with legal requirements.

they make it possible to manage risk easier

Warehouses can help businesses protect perishable products, reducing their losses. Depending on the items and the type of business, it’s possible to lease a warehouse that contains fridges and freezers and enables the business to control the temperature to preserve their goods. Food, medications and candles are examples of these types of goods. Storing them in the right warehouse can stop them from spoiling and extend their shelf life.

they facilitate price stabilisation

Government policies, climate conditions, employment rates and a plethora of other factors can cause demand for certain goods or services to fluctuate. A warehouse allows a business to store goods for when they’re not in demand, rather than sell them at a lower price, and sell them at their regular price when they’re back in demand. Skis are one example. Companies tend to sell them for less towards the end of the season, whereas they could maximise their profits by holding onto them and then selling them at the start of the following one, thanks to the storage space in their warehouse.

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role of warehouses in a logistics system

Above is a look at the importance of the role of a warehouse logistics system. Centralisation is one important aspect we’ve already mentioned. Here’s a look at the part the warehouse plays in the system:

inventory control

Warehouses enable businesses to match supply to demand in a rapidly changing environment. A warehouse lets the business store a large amount of inventory and manages it easier.

the economics of the business

Since they’re centralised, warehouses create all sorts of economic benefits for businesses. The warehouse helps to cut the costs of transportation, outbound delivery and shipping.

serves as an emergency buffer for supply and demand

If disasters such as faulty goods or a delay in transportation strike, the warehouse gives the business a cushion to fall back on until it can solve the problem. They’ll have spare goods that can save the day until then.

keeping items safe and secure

It goes without saying that a warehouse is there to protect a business’s goods. The operators are likely to have security systems in place as well as security personnel on-site to ensure all is well and that no one is accessing the site for malicious purposes.

add value to the business

Warehousing is just one part of the overall logistics system, and the facility stores the goods in the right place until it’s time for them to move on to their next destination or for other important activities in the process, such as order consolidation, to take place. They’re also crucial in the packaging and shipping parts of the process. Ultimately, warehouses add much value to a business.

the main functions of warehousing

Overall, the main functions of warehousing are stocking, controlling and maintaining workflows in progress. A good warehousing process is indispensable for business growth.

when setting up a warehouse and equipment

Making the most of space is crucial in the world of warehousing. When setting up a warehouse, the business will need a space each for receiving goods, unpacking them, shelving them, handling them, shipping them and, if applicable, long-term storage of the goods. An office area will also be necessary.

Separating areas by activity will keep the warehouse organised and tools and other equipment in relevant areas. Basic warehouse equipment is likely to include:

shelving units;
labelled bins for large items or large order parts;
labelled totes or containers for order packing;
picking cart(s);
packing table(s);
tape, scissors, bubble wrap, e-commerce packaging and other packing materials;
computer and printer
scale (especially if the items are weight-sensitive).

receiving stock

If the warehouse has too little space, the stock will pile up easily and hinder outbound operational tasks. A warehouse needs a solid organisation plan for receiving and storing new stock.

preserving temperature-controlled products

If the business sells perishable goods or foods that it must maintain at a specific temperature, the warehouse is extremely important. The operator should fit it with equipment and systems that either meet regulations or exceed them.

picking, packing and shipping products

This is one of the most essential stages, especially in the case of e-commerce businesses. The more efficient and well-executed the process is, the better. Packing desks should be organised and as clearly labelled as possible. High volumes of orders will help the operator cope with and meet the demand as speedily as possible.

addressing errors in a timely manner

No warehouse operation is absolutely flawless. Some products can experience a lot of volatility in orders. Packaging materials can run out. Stock can run out, too. A paper or electronic inventory tracking system can help the operator timestamp the receipt of stock, storage of it and other activities in the warehouse logistics process. This gives them the opportunity to calculate the average time spent on each stage in the process and make adjustments.

different types of warehouses

Of course, different types of warehouses will form part of the supply chain, depending on how the business operates. Here are some of the different types you’ll encounter in warehousing logistics:

distribution centre

A distribution centre isn’t quite the same as a warehouse in its function, although some people use the terms ‘warehouse’ and ‘distribution centre’ interchangeably. Whereas a warehouse will store products for a long period of time, a distribution centre tends to store them for a much shorter period of time and sees a higher speed of items arriving and then leaving.

Often, a distribution centre will be close to the end customer’s location so that the customer receives products quickly and in good condition. These centres also offer services such as picking and packing, packaging or product mixing. Since distribution centres provide more services than a standard warehouse, they’ll also make greater use of technology. The technology is likely to be highly advanced, too.

pick, pack and ship warehouses

When a customer places an order with either a brick-and-mortar store or an online retail business, the order follows a process of pick; pack; and ship. The warehouse will receive a pick list of products, and people or automated systems will locate these products in the building. The operator then packs them for shipping, labels them and sends them to the customer.

smart warehouse

This is very straightforward. The warehouse will use automated systems and interconnected technology to receive products, put them away, pick them for orders and then ship them to the customer. The technology will also keep track of the inventory. These warehouses minimise the number of humans required to keep operations in the warehouse going, and they also increase productivity, the volume of production and reduce the number of errors to a minimum.

cold storage warehouses

As discussed above, cold storage warehouses store temperature-sensitive items such as perishable goods, food, candles and medicines at low temperatures. They also use refrigerated shipping both for inbound and outbound shipping.

on-demand storage warehouses

This type of warehousing has become something of a trend in warehouse logistics. On-demand warehouses have plenty of space and support businesses that need warehouse space either temporarily, seasonally or because of a spike in sales.

customs warehouses

These warehouses receive imported goods for export and store them for several years without paying duty or VAT on them. Effectively, a customs warehouse, also referred to as a ‘bonded warehouse’, is a duty-free zone while the products are in the warehouse.

Storing goods in customs warehouses offers advantages such as

improved cash flow because the business only pays the import duty when the goods enter the UK market;
non-payment of duty on goods the business is importing only to export to non-EU countries;
and port-centric logistics, since the warehouse is likely to be near a port, allowing it to distribute the goods more easily and cut costs in the supply chain.

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the difference between warehousing and logistics

People often couple the terms ‘warehousing’ and ‘logistics’ together but mix them up. Both perform functions within the supply chain, with the warehousing focusing on the safe storage of items and the logistics concerning itself more with the functional side of the delivery of goods to the warehouse and the storage of them. To ensure the two work together effectively, it’s important for them to work in tandem. You can’t have one without the other.

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what is warehousing?

Really, ‘warehousing’ is another term for a warehouse, the commercial building where businesses store products for use or for sale. The warehouse is a central location for receiving, storing and then distributing raw goods or finished products. Warehousing will deal with tasks such as unloading of goods, receiving and checking inbound goods, storage, picking orders and handling returns.

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… and what is logistics?

The logistics side of things is about the flow of the goods to, in and out of the warehouse. These goods can be raw or finished. Logistics will address aspects such as transportation, the internal movement of goods, the inventory and other relevant information. A major part of logistics concerns itself with the end-to-end consumer requirements, from the availability of the goods through to their delivery to the customer.

logistics versus the supply chain

Logistics… warehousing… supply chain… all closely connected, but easy to confuse at the same time. The best way to understand the supply chain is to know that it encompasses the whole process, from the transformation of the raw materials into the finished product through to the delivery of the product to the customer.

Logistics is the organisation and implementation of an operation and helps move goods, tangible and intangible, through the supply chain. Storing items in bins or on racks in the warehouse so that you save floor space and so the warehouse staff can find a product, based on the rack or bin location, is one example of logistics.

A Complete Guide To Warehouse Logistics 01 08

warehouse logistics: inflow and outflow

In warehouse logistics, inflow operations refer to the reception, transfer to a staging area and then the storage of the goods. Outflow operations describe tasks such as taking the items from the storage area, packing them and shipping them.

Then there’s the information flow, which entails analysing the demand for a product and how long it will take to fulfil the order.

When it comes to managing the flow of stock in and out of the warehouse, there are several different models. Below is a quick look at some of the main ones:

first in, first out (FIFO)

This is relatively self-explanatory: the first items to enter the warehouse are also the first ones to leave it. The FIFO method allows optimal stock rotation and works well for perishable items.

The FIFO method is compatible with:

live pallet racking, into which the operator inserts pallets into the higher end of the storage channel and then, for extraction, slides the pallet over rollers at a controlled speed;
the drive-through system, which has an entrance and an exit and is good for storing a high density of the same products;
and the pallet shuttle system, which removes the need for forklift trucks by using a shuttle that, powered by a motor, runs on rails in the storage channels.

last in, first out (LIFO)

Again, straightforward: the last item(s) to enter the warehouse leaves it first. This system works well for non-perishable products that last a long time and don’t lose value over time.

The LIFO works well with:

a push-back racking system, in which the operator stores and retrieves the goods from just one side;
and drive-on one, in which the operator stores the pallets on rails and, just like the push-back system, retrieves them through the same entry point at which they racked the items.

The shuttle system is also compatible and, when combined with the LIFO approach, provides lots of versatility.

the ABC system

This system is slightly different in that it groups stock into three categories: A, B and C. These categories work as follows:

Category A covers the items of the highest stock inventory value. They need close observation. Monitoring this stock is essential to avoid stock depletion and the problems this can cause. These products tend to occupy the lowest position on industrial racking.
Category B encompasses items that don’t require as much control by the company because they rotate it less. Normally, the company will update this stock in batches, rather than units, and you’ll find it at an intermediate height on industrial racks or in a less central part of the warehouse.
Category C applies to the items that are easy to control and the business rotates the least (which is why they’re simple to control). A company will generally replenish category C items as soon as they leave the warehouse. These occupy higher spots on the racks or sit in less central areas of the warehouse.

wilson’s model

Also known as the ‘optimal order’ model, Wilson’s model involves determining the quantity of the volume of the order necessary to place. That means how much to order and when to order it. The purpose of this model is to optimise stock inventory management. Calculating this will consider the yearly demand for the raw material, the order cost and the storage cost.

the ‘Just-in-Time’ (JIT) model

This model of inventory management calls for impeccable organisation and is one you’ll find in the automotive sector. A badly managed JIT model can trigger delays or stock depletion, which, of course, are bad news for the business. Basically, the method calls for minimal storage because the organisation has just the right amount of raw materials it needs to complete each stage of production.

A Complete Guide To Just In Time Production 01 (1)

a complete guide to just in time (JIT) production

If you’ve been working in the logistics industry, you’ll likely have heard of an inventory management model called ‘just in time’ (JIT) production. You may also hear some in the industry refer to it as ‘just in time manufacturing’ or ‘just in time assembly’.

In this post, we’d like to explore the ‘just in time’ concept, the advantages of JIT production, its disadvantages, how it differs from lean manufacturing and how to establish whether a JIT management system is right for your business.

before setting up a warehouse

Good warehouse logistics are essential to moving goods smoothly through the warehousing part of the supply chain. Setting up your warehouse, therefore, calls for careful thought. Here are some tips and things to consider before beginning to operate a warehouse:

the goals of the warehouse

No matter how many forklift trucks or other machines, vehicles, devices or other technologies an operator has, they won’t be able to conduct successful warehouse logistics if they don’t take into account four important goals:

efficiency — operators should aim to minimise the number of times they move items and also the distance they have to move;
maximisation of space — operators should create plenty of space for people, products and equipment, but not spread them too far apart because this will force items to travel further;
inventory control — operators will need a system to ensure they know what they have in their warehouse and where to find it;
safety — to reduce the risk of accidents, operators must make sure they have the right equipment and procedures in place to carry out tasks, and that all staff have adequate training to perform their duties.

the right location

The operator will have to select the right location for their warehouse. To do this, they should consider the areas where there is the highest demand and the transportation costs.

They should also bear in mind the type of goods they’ll be storing, as this will determine whether they pick a warehouse close to the source of the goods, which would be useful if they’re perishable or fragile and the operator wishes to avoid spoilage, spillage or other damage; or opt for a more isolated location, which could be more appropriate if they’re dealing with hazardous chemicals, to avoid unsafe contact with them.

the layout

This goes without saying, but it’s essential to have a floor plan that optimises space, prevents accidents from happening and, at the same time, enables the warehouse to operate effectively. Parking and loading bays should be close to the road, for instance, and trucks should have enough room to reverse into loading docks.

storage space

Organising an entire warehouse, including routes and zones, is time-consuming and challenging, but necessary for the facility to operate as efficiently as possible. A good inventory storage system will make quick, accurate picking, packing and shipping possible.

When optimising storage space, the business must determine what the best way to store items is, bearing in mind the carrying costs; the best way to move large amounts of inventory to different locations; and the best way to do it correctly so that issues don’t arise during picking.

workflow

When strategically planning a warehouse layout, it’s vital to outline the different warehouse workflows and see how the different elements of the warehouse will connect to each other. This includes planning them around the dock doors where the warehouse will receive items or where carriers will collect them.

The business should map out workflows for maximum efficiency and keep workspaces organised for optimal productivity. From the receipt and storage of goods to the picking and packing of them, to the shipping of them… this should all be mapped out as much as possible.

workstations

The business will need to think about the different workstations it needs. How many? Will the workers be able to operate comfortably? A straightforward one-way workflow is a good way to avoid congestion and increase safety in the warehouse. After deciding how to set up workstations, the operator can start creating paths for employees by marking them with tape or signs so that they have clear directions.

testing the setup

Testing the layout is important. When doing this, the operator should:

tape off the flow in any areas where they’re planning to set up equipment;
check the workflows by walking around the space as if they were working on the job — is there plenty of space or does it feel congested in any areas?
double-check safety requirements and make sure their warehouse will comply.

If you’re setting up a warehouse and are unsure of the requirements, you can consult the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website for more resources and advice on observing health and safety in warehouses.

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the ultimate guide to safe loading and unloading of vehicles

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after setting up a warehouse

Once the operator has set up the warehouse the way they’d like it and are happy with the layout, the workflows, the quality and the quantity of equipment and more, it’s time to get operating. Here are some things they need to do after setting up their warehouse:

plan for operational costs

Operating a warehouse will incur a whole load of costs:

Security;
Pallets;
rent (and deposits);
forklift trucks;
pallet trucks;
racking (optional);
staff and management, including ‘hidden’ costs such as payroll and benefits;
stock losses;
fuel (and fuel equipment);
costs in wasted space.

They should also be looking at ways to reduce these costs wherever possible (within the realms of legality, of course).

hire a warehouse manager

An experienced warehouse manager will have the knowledge of equipment and systems necessary to help the warehouse run smoothly. This person will understand the tools, the spaces, the strengths of each employee and, when something goes wrong, how to solve the problem and incur as little damage as possible.

Beyond this, they’ll also look to the future. They’ll have the instincts to realise what will generate a greater return on investment (ROI) and what technologies could help to make the warehouse run even more efficiently. This will give the operator the opportunity to begin effective capacity planning or, where necessary, save for equipment.

place the customer at the heart of the business

This is crucial in the world of logistics and for successful warehouse optimisation. Customers today have so many options available to them that it’s indispensable for warehouses to have the systems and technology to meet customer demands, which, in a nutshell, consist of two main desires: fast and free.

Customer service must be excellent the whole year, every year. To achieve this, an operator must adapt their technologies and adopt new ones as quickly as they can. The use of artificial intelligence can help them to predict fluctuating sales trends. Investing in tech may incur a cost, but it will be much less than the cost of not investing in it.

choose the right management software

Good warehouse management system software will enable the operator to understand the situation of their inventory, help warehouse employees to locate items in the building more easily and can even allow them to ship items out of the warehouse faster. A lot of warehouse management software comes equipped with mobile features, which makes picking for orders and checking inventory more straightforward because the employees can use scanners.

keep your warehouse organised

This should be obvious, but we’re going to say it anyway, just to be clear. In this busy field, warehouse workers can put equipment in the wrong place very easily. This will cause problems when others need to use those items later and can’t find them. A warehouse should stay organised, something which managers or supervisors should check regularly.

stay in touch with your workers

It’s good to break down the barriers between management and the employees on the ground. The leaders should check in with their employees, whether this is by organising structured meetings or just casually checking in with them. It’s good for morale and important for ensuring they’re meeting employees’ needs. It’s also a helpful way to glean information about the inventory and insight about what’s happening in the warehouse in a manner they might not be able to each day.

devise a damaged goods and returns strategy

Unfortunately, not all the goods will go out in satisfactory condition, despite the warehouse’s best intentions. Once the warehouse is up and running, the operator must work out how it’s going to deal with damaged goods and take care of returns.

How will they process the return?
How will they sort and categorise returns?
How will they keep returns moving to reduce daily waste?
How will they determine whether it’s possible to repair an item? What will they do with the items you can’t repair?
What can they recycle and what do they simply have to get rid of?

devise a 'safety police' to prevent accidents and to address any that do occur

Slips and trips, manual handling accidents, falls and injuries from falling objects are all hazards that can occur in a warehouse. Employees must also watch out for forklift trucks and other vehicles moving around the warehouse.

Operators must put in place a suitable policy and implement measures to avoid accidents and the safety hazards warehouse equipment poses whenever possible. Possible measures include:

‘Wet floor’-type signs and encouragement of workers to clean up spills.
Safe training of staff in manual handling and confirmation they know their manual handling limits (which are around 20-25 kilos). The use of lift trucks, pallet trucks, trolleys and other alternative solutions is also necessary to consider so that workers don’t have to lift loads manually.
Mobile elevating work platforms for any workers that have to work at height, plus training workers who have to use them in how to use them. Staff shouldn’t have to climb shelves or racks to access items. Operators also shouldn’t build their own platforms.
Adherence to the safe stacking weight and height recommended by the rack or pallet manufacturer. The heaviest items should go at the bottom of racks. Operators should inspect racks regularly to ensure they’re being well maintained and are still safe to use. A specialist should also check the racks at specific intervals.
Implementation of a one-way system so that vehicles don’t have to reverse. Speed limits should also be in place, plus a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of dangerous driving inside the warehouse.

implement pest control measures to protect goods

The very last thing a warehouse operator wants is to see rats or other pests scurrying away when they enter it. Failing to deal with the problem adequately could result in prosecution or even closure.

Rats and mice are renowned for carrying diseases and could easily contaminate products. Not only that, but the operator could end up transporting these pests to their customers.

Then there’s the damage they can do to warehouse property, not to mention the fact that they can gnaw their way through almost any material, whether it’s wood, metal and masonry. That also includes electrical wire as well, which creates a fire hazard.

As a result of pest problems, productivity can suffer, either because the equipment needs replacing or because the operator has to put their operations on hold while they deal with the issue. It’s not just stock or stock levels, property and productivity that will suffer, however; the business’s reputation will take a blow. As a matter of health and safety, the operator must inform customers of their pest problem.

To help control pests, operators should check their warehouse for any gaps under doors through which pests might be able to squeeze. The main entry door to the warehouse should have an anteroom before it. This room can be a buffer between the warehouse and control area for any pests that manage to surmount the initial barrier. The operator should also train their employees in pest identification and in the importance of pest prevention so that they’re aware of their role in the warehouse.

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common warehouse logistics challenges and how to overcome them

The fact that warehouse logistics comprise several different stages, not to mention its position of being in the middle of the supply chain, means warehouse managers face a large number of challenges. We’ve picked out some of the main ones a manager may encounter and how to solve them:

inaccurate inventory

Inaccuracy of the inventory can create problems such as build-ups of obsolete inventory and improper inventory maintenance. This then provides pickers with misleading information and generates inefficiencies in the process. Productivity falls and costs increase, which pushes revenue down.

Automated technology will provide real-time information about inventory so the operator can track the status of the inventory accurately. This kind of system is critical to the success of the warehouse. The quality of the system is as valuable as the system itself.

redundant processes

In warehouse logistics, it’s common for employees to handle a product several times, due to the nature of warehousing processes. One example of this was the passing of tickets through multiple hands. Besides being inefficient, creating more labour and being time-consuming, this process would be a health risk, something which, in the COVID-19 world, businesses need to avoid more than ever.

Barcoding is one solution. This streamlines the technology, removing unnecessary processes and allowing operators to make better use of their resources. The evolution of automated systems is growing swifter and swifter, and due to global trends, operators are updating their technology constantly to thrive instead of just to survive.

full supply chain visibility

Warehouses have to contend with a lot of external factors over which they have no control. How do they predict the weather? How do they predict customer sales? How do they predict spikes in demand? All of these factors, for instance, can affect inbound or outbound networks, and if warehouses had a greater view of the supply chain, they could react to the circumstances better. AI technology could help them achieve greater visibility of operations, and to plan for them or respond to them accordingly.

labour costs

A strong warehouse manager will be able to cut costs but increase productivity. To do so is still a major challenge, however, because warehouses use expensive equipment and employ a large labour force, from cleaners and administrative personnel through to packers and managers. On top of all this, warehouses now have to overcome the challenge of social distancing and account for fluctuations in logistics.

When trying to cut costs, the operator must consider the impact of the cuts on other costs. Their main options are maximising the available labour and implementing automated systems. Good workforce planning, which can include excellent working conditions, flexible hours and training, will create the right blend of skills and motivation; in turn, this will generate more productivity from employees and improve the performance from the warehouse.

bad warehouse layout

Poor warehouse layout is a real challenge and can really eat into efficiency and productivity, and, as a consequence, harm profitability. Achieving efficiency through layout has become even more of a problem for warehouses now in the age of COVID-19, as managers have had to figure out a way to do more with even less. Lack of storage space and inadequate use of storage space are common problems.

Maximising layouts means making the utmost use of horizontal and vertical spaces. Not only that though, but the warehouse should optimise its use of equipment and labour, accessibility, security and staff safety.

quality control

Often, the workers responsible for quality control will also be taking care of the picking, packing and shipping of the inventory items. Unfortunately, errors go unnoticed until the very last person the business would want to spot them identifies them: the customer. This has been even more the case during the pandemic, as operators have found themselves forced to get by on reduced staffing levels.

If possible, an operator should arrange a separate layer of quality control to facilitate better inventory management. This extra layer will generate the motivation to manage everyday inventory issues in a more structured manner and introduce some accountability.

Joloda Hydaroll’s modular rollerbed for warehouses

We like to lighten heavy loads wherever possible, which is why we’ve designed and produced a unique solution, Modular Rollerbed Systems for warehouses to transform your warehouse into a cargo transit station.

The system is easy to install and features an aluminium platform that has integrated rise-and-fall roller tracks so you don’t need to modify any existing structures or conduct work on them. All you have to do is transfer the load from the trailer and onto the platform in the warehouse and then pull it effortlessly over the roller tracks to where you wish it to be in the warehouse.

The system is especially good for increasing existing air cargo handling capacity or creating a new one. It offers safe loading and movement around the warehouse, and you can load and unload vehicles much faster. You also won’t need to use forklift trucks as much, if at all, which can make your warehouse even safer to work in for your employers. In just a few hours, you can transform your warehouse.

Modular rollerbed systems for warehouse applications are particularly beneficial for logistics b2b companies to complete shuttle runs between the airport and larger distribution centres when receiving inbound shipments. Trucks can easily connect to a dock leveller to make the loading and receiving process quick and easy. The ability to quickly remove goods from the airport's air cargo facility to help aid capacity management.

our modular rollerbed system is compatible with...

block pallets

ULDs

air cargo PMC pallets

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Efficiency and Safety for Britvic Soft Drinks

Rolling it in for Over 10 Years at Patinter Transport

Lightening Loads Worldwide with Skyroad Logistics

See how we took a load off for Skyline Logistics with our Modular Rollerbed system for air cargo.

Faster, More Efficient Loading for Taplanes

Creating Lighter Loads for Amsterdam’s Bonded Services

Find out how we got Bonded Services rolling more efficiently with our modular rollerbed system for warehouses.

Moving Spirits Safely, with McPherson

Take a look at how McPherson used our moving floor to move their spirits safely.

Making every second count for Perishable Movements Ltd

Find out how we got Perishble Movements Ltd moving with our powered cargo roller system.

Increasing Savings and Productivity for VCK Logistics

Heinz use Joloda Hydraroll to keep our favourites loading

Trailerskate System Supports DHL, Cannock Expansion

our automatic truck loading systems around the world

Joloda – keeping Eurofit’s tyres moving

Find out how we got Eurofit moving more efficiently with our automatic truck-loading system

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Contact us today for a consultation session with a member of our Systems team.

During the consultation, a Joloda Hydraroll Group Systems Expert will speak with you about your business' current logistics operations, plans and goals.

We have over 60+ years of experience providing cutting-edge technological solutions to the logistics industry and have helped countless companies around the world lighten their load.

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why choose us?

We help businesses lighten loads and are highly regarded as the world's leading loading and unloading solutions provider in the logistics industry. Over the last 60 years, we've helped thousands of businesses streamline their logistics operations to be more cost-efficient, more sustainable, and more health and safety-conscious.

As experts in all kinds of unloading and unloading solutions, we can help innovate, automate and streamline your end-of-production line problems, wherever you are. We work with a network of over 30 global distributors to provide you with comprehensive design, installation, maintenance, and certification services across a range of industry sectors. Learn more About Us today.

Get in touch with our experts today to learn how we can provide a safe working environment, call our friendly team on +44 (0) 151 427 8954, on our Let’s Chat page, via email on sales@joloda.com or on our LinkedIn page.

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a complete guide to warehouse logistics