7 keys to making your warehouse more productive | RAJA

Whether you run an e-commerce, mass or food warehouse, you probably have one logistical goal in mind: to make your warehouse more productive.It’s a complicated task. It’s all about increasing the rate of order picking, but it’s also about continuing to take care of the health and safety of your operators.

How about looking at the following 7 keys to warehouse management to increase the efficiency of your teams?

Tip #1: Choose the right picking method

Picking is one of the key moments in your supply chain where you can easily save time. The principle is to choose the right method, so that your operators take the least amount of time possible to go and pick the items to be packed in the warehouse, while limiting the number of order errors

Depending on the number of pickers you have, the number of items in the logistics warehouse and your order picking rate, you will not select the same method

Here are the tried and tested methods

• The “pick and pack” method consists of picking the goods to be packed in the same order, and then taking them to the packing area, before moving on to the next order. This method is especially suitable for warehouses that prepare few packages each day.
• The “put to light” method requires the use of trolleys with lighted screens, which indicate to the operators where they should pick and place the goods. It allows the operator to take charge of several orders at the same time, and is more suitable for mass storage, or a warehouse with many different orders that need optimal stock traceability

• The “pick by light” method is quite similar to the previous one, except that it is not the trolley that lights up to indicate the locations of the products to be “picked”, but each location itself. It is recommended for logistics warehouses that have to manage a high rate of order picking.
• Voice picking consists of equipping each warehouse worker with headsets and microphones, through which a WMS indicates the contents of the order to be prepared, as well as the shelf where to pick up the items. This method, although debated in the world of logistics, has the advantage of significantly increasing the productivity of the order picker. To find out more, consult our article dedicated to the subject.

if you need to know more, visit the complete guide to logistics picking. cta id=’301b2af9-4f38-4b43-b28f-3e244ed61077′]

Tip #2: Create a productivity-oriented working environment

Your warehouse is not just a storage and packaging area: it’s where your logistics teams spend most of their time. In order to be more productive, it must therefore not only be adapted to the storage of your goods, but also to the good working conditions of your operators. In particular, make sure that you monitor

• The temperature of the warehouse: if it is not high enough, your operators will suffer from muscle and tendon problems; if it is too high, they will lose efficiency. The ideal temperature is between 14 and 18°C.
• Warehouse lighting: if it is too dark, the operators’ eyes will tire more quickly; if it is too bright, they will risk headaches. It is recommended that the lighting level be between 100 lux (for the aisles) and 300 lux (for the packing station).
• Sound in the warehouse. To reduce noise in the warehouse (which can become very disturbing), make sure the floor is smooth so that your handling equipment makes as little noise as possible. This also helps to avoid accidents during handling.

tip #3: Provide the right handling equipment

In the supply chain, the handling phase is probably one of the most difficult for your operators. This is why it is crucial to optimise it, not only to ensure the controlled transport of goods in the warehouse, but also to reduce the difficulty of this task. To do this, you have logistical solutions such as handling equipment to assist the handlers. In particular, choose

• To make the right choice, read our article on the subject!
• Pallet trucksto transport pallets with the least possible effort.
• Forklifts and trolleys dedicated to order picking. Need help choosing them? Check out our guide to choosing a forklift.
• Forklifts if necessary, to avoid operators having to bend down unnecessarily.

from stock management to order picking, many of the key moments in your supply chain can be mechanised or

even

automated. Several types of logistics solutions can help you to increase productivity in the warehouse

• Packaging machines, such as wrapping machines (which partially or fully automate pallet wrapping), or strapping machines (which make it easier to close packages)
• Mechanical handling equipment, such as electric pallet trucks or electric forklifts for picking
• Conveyors, which allow you to mechanise or automate an entire part of your logistics chain.

mais, avant de vous tourner vers des solutions technologiques allant dans ce sens, il vous faut évaluer la nécessité d’y avoir recours, ainsi que la possibilité de les installer dans votre zone d’entreposage.

N’hésitez donc pas à consulter le guide pour l’automatisation ou la mécanisation de votre préparation de commandes: il vous dévoile chaque étape pour mener un tel projet sur votre plateforme logistique.

Conseil #5 : Aménager le poste d’emballage de manière ergonomique

Les métiers de la logistique ne sont pas aisés. Et ne vous y trompez pas : préparer les commandes n’est pas moins pénible que la phase de réception des marchandises, ou que le chargement des camions !

La phase d’emballage est répétitive, et demande une attention précise aux opérateurs, qui doivent s’assurer de la conformité de la commande, mais aussi de l’expérience que va vivre le client à la réception de sa marchandise.

Et si vous leur simplifiez la tâche, en créant pour eux un espace logisti

• Anti-fatigue mats, specifically designed to put pickers’ lower limbs into action, preventing foot and leg pain
• Stand-up seats, where they can sit down from time to time to relieve their back and lower limbs

and for more advice, find out how to choose your workstation and packing table.

Tip #6: Implement a welfare policy in the warehouse

You know: happy employees mean more productive employees, less absenteeism, and a lower turnover rate! Hence the interest in taking a closer look at the Quality of Life at work that you offer in your warehouse. Here are a few ways to consider implementing, for a more productive warehouse

• An “open door” policy, whereby operators report any concerns or needs they may have
• Regular compulsory breaks, combined with real break areas, where pickers can relax
• A shift rotation system, which prevents each operator from doing the same boring task over and over again
• Training in optimal logistical gestures, which protects your employees from Musculoskeletal Disorders: consider providing them with training in optimal gestures and postures, as well as training in muscle stimulation

and to go further, take the time to discover how to improve well-being in your warehouse.

Tip #7: Choose the right packaging for your goods

The last tip for a productive warehouse is the choice of packaging. In addition to protecting your goods, packaging can play a decisive role in increasing the rate of order preparation. By selecting a range of suitable packaging from which operators can choose according to the needs of the various orders, you can help them to be more efficient. In particular, think about equipping them withtime-saving packaging such as

• Quick-erect crates, which are formed by simply pressing on the sides
• Integrated cushioning packs, which eliminate the need for operators to worry about fitting the right cushioning for the order into the boxes

so, are you ready to see your warehouse significantly increase productivity?