5 Ways To Optimise Warehouse Space For Maximum Productivity

• Why is your warehouse optimisation crucial for your business
• Step 1: Asses your space
• Step 2: Optimise The Warehouse Layout
• Step 3: Implement Smart Storage Solutions
• Step 4: Warehouse Automation
• Step 5: Employee Engagement
• Finding a Racking Supplier You Can Trust

When taking the keys to a new warehouse there is a lot of potential that can be unlocked in that space. The natural reaction is to fill it with as much racking as possible to maximise the amount of stock it can hold. But, before diving in, it might be worth considering whether warehouse optimisation strategies could help unlock additional benefits and improve your warehouse

If you need a better racking system or setting up a new warehouse and are not sure where to start, don’t worry—you’re not alone. We have some tips to help improve your space.

Why is warehouse optimisation crucial for your business?

Before we run through how to optimise your warehouse, we’ll first look at why the racking in your warehouse matters so much.

You can’t escape the fact that the modern warehouse is an expensive outlay. Apart from the rental fees, you also need to purchase racking, machinery for picking stock and, increasingly in today’s environment, automation to increase productivity. The costs add up.

To reduce overheads, you need to install bespoke racking solutions which drive down operational costs while boosting warehouse optimisation, efficiency and employee productivity. Get the correct system in place and you can streamline the throughput of products, from the moment they arrive at the warehouse door through to when the order leaves your facility. Make sense of your stock’s journey and not only will it reduce lost working hours, but it will result in enhanced staff satisfaction – after all who wants to spend all their time trying to locate missing items? This naturally results in a second benefit – customer satisfaction. The last thing any warehouse business needs is a customer who hasn’t received their order in time.

These are the five steps you should consider.

Step 1: Assess Your Space

Before making any decisions on your racking, assess what you’re working with. Although warehouse space is limited by its width and height, there are still effective ways to maximise it. Address how much and what type of stock you hold. You need racking or shelving structures which accommodate the product – whether that’s boxes or pallets – and its weight. Don’t forget to consider what happens when your warehouse business grows. Should you consider racking that adapts to varying stock levels or can be extended for more storage?

Accessibility is a often overlooked aspect of racking design, yet it is crucial for ensuring orders move seamlessly through the warehouse. To optimise the picking and packing process, consider the necessary equipment and how employees will interact during these tasks. Obstacles that prevent access to items or a lack of attention to safe working zones can significantly increase the risk of serious accidents.

Step 2: Optimise The Warehouse Layout

Once you have evaluated the space and understood your stock profiles, you need to create the best racking layout for warehouse optimisation.

Start by mapping out the warehouse and understand how products will move through the space. Consider each stage; where does it arrive, where will you store the stock, do you need a designated zone for picking and packing and how will it leave the warehouse? Do you need to create specific zones for tasks, for example, an area for packing, shipping or receiving items? Now work out where each of the zoned areas will sit to ensure they allow the stock to seamlessly flow from one zone to another. This will help you to spot areas where orders could get bottlenecked during the process.

During the process, you should also look at how you can reduce wasted areas the and utilise them for other tasks or storage areas. And of course, don’t forget to include areas you can’t change such as doors, corridors or office space etc.

Step 3: Implement Smart Storage Solutions

The backbone of most warehouses is the storage equipment. It’s an almost obvious choice to go with standard pallet racking, but will that maximise the space? Racking is well-suited for larger and heavier items, with deeper shelves that are ideal for storing pallets accessed by forklifts or automated systems. In contrast, shelving is a practical option for lighter and smaller items typically picked by hand. Its more compact structure makes it perfect for areas with limited space.

If you’re going for racking, have you got the best system? There are multiple options and design configurations available which help improve the efficiency of the warehouse.

Racking Examples: 

If you want to maximise the available space you have a few options to choose from. You could go upwards with a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking structure which is built higher while moving the bays closer together to reduce the aisle widths and add more storage capacity.

Alternatively, you can choose a multi-tier structure which creates multiple hand-loaded picking zones throughout the racking. Walkways are then fitted between the shelves which are accessed by a staircase.

If other options don’t work, mobile shelving eliminates fixed aisles by placing storage on tracks. Units stay compact and roll open as needed to access the correct bay.

Step 4: Warehouse Automation

Technology advancements are taking hold in the warehouse environment. To stay competitive, integrate technology into your warehouse and racking systems.

Now is the time to research the market and find out which system works best for you. While Warehouse Management Software (WMS) systems are not new, they have certainly evolved over the last few years. WMS are essential for providing real-time analytics and insights into the movement of your items and managing your supply chain fulfilment

However, when combined with AI, it can improve the process even further. This will increase the efficiency of your warehouse by avoiding the chance of stockouts and enabling quick response times. Get the right racking in place to support your WMS system and it can transform your warehouse.

Step 5: Employee Engagement

Finally, none of these changes will stick unless your team is on the same page. Take time to train your staff on the new racking system and safety procedures. Racking training may seem easy to dismiss, but it offers valuable benefits. It enhances productivity and efficiency, reduces costly repairs from avoidable damage, and, most importantly, ensures your team’s safety.

That is why we run our Rack Inspection Training which equips your employees with the skills and knowledge they need to work safely and handle products in areas where racking is present. It also provides them with the tools they need to recognise damage on racking.

The course will also help you to meet your Health and Safety and industry requirements. As the owner or warehouse manager, HSE and SEMA expect you to perform regular inspections to check the racking is loaded and used correctly and report if damage is present. Our Rack Inspection Training course will train a member of your team to perform this important ‘weekly’ inspection.

Finding a Racking Supplier You Can Trust

If you search for a racking supplier online you’ll be inundated with options. For true warehouse optimisation, choose a supplier who can deliver a storage system that maximises space and efficiency, such as a SEMA Approved Member.

For over 50 years SEMA has led the way in developing best practices and standards within the storage equipment industry. As a SEMA Approved Member – Advanced, Teepee undergoes an independent assessment every three years to demonstrate our commitment. This rigorous process ensures our compliance with over 40 regulations, industry standards, Codes of Practice, and legislative requirements, allowing us to maintain our membership and credentials.

Contact Teepee Today

At Teepee Warehouse Solutions, we specialise in planning and installing storage systems for various industries, from retail stockrooms to warehouses and beyond. To ensure every customer receives the best possible storage system for their needs and requirements, we offer a site survey. This includes an expert visiting your premises to assess the space and recommend the best storage solution for your business.

We also ensure your equipment stays safe and functional. To help you meet warehouse requirements, our approved inspectors can also conduct expert pallet racking inspections.

Ready to take your warehouse to the next level? Contact us today to find out how we can help you choose the best racking solution for your business. Let’s optimise your space for maximum productivity!