Make Warehouse Reconfiguration Easy
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on e-commerce and the material handling industry. Buying habits of consumers have permanently changed as they have been forced to use alternative delivery methods to receive goods and services. E-commerce has boomed leaving many companies overwhelmed with spikes in demands they simply cannot handle with their current distribution operations.
Adaptable warehouses and distribution centers are becoming the new normal. Reconfiguring a warehouse can be an undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. This article will talk about quick and efficient ways to keep distribution operations agile by executing warehouse reconfigurations easily.
1. Audit your operations and identify potential reasons to reconfigure.
Warehouse reconfigurations can be time-consuming and intimidating, especially if not planned properly. For that reason, one of the most important steps to making warehouse reconfigurations simple and effective is to audit the current operation and identify potential scenarios that would warrant changing the warehouse layout. There are many reasons to consider warehouse reconfiguration. Is it peak season? Is there a need to accommodate extra inbound or outbound material flow? Are the number of operators interacting with your material flow? All of these and more are potential reasons to consider warehouse reconfiguration as a solution for these variable circumstances.
2. Establish warehouse reconfiguration plans for each scenario.
After completing the legwork of auditing and identifying potential reasons to reconfigure, we recommend creating a warehouse layout for each potential scenario. It’s important to talk to warehouse managers, shift supervisors, and people involved in the day-to-day operations of the flow of materials in your warehouse. These roles often have the best grasp of what pain points they face in different scenarios and can provide insight into how to fix them.
3. Invest in rapid-deploy mobile conveyance technology.
The industry is shifting towards “rapid-deploy” conveyance systems. These are flexible and mobile conveyance technologies that allow companies to quickly rearrange their warehouses. Solutions like these can save time in a pinch because they are not permanent material handling solutions.
Carter Intralogistics is here to help.
Carter Intralogistics has brought to market two new rapid-deploy mobile and flexible conveyance technologies: CarterFlex™ and CarterMobile™. If rapid-deploy, mobile, or flexible conveyor solutions could help your business operate more efficiently, Carter may be a good fit. Contact our sales team at sales@carterintralogistics.com or visit our Contact Us page for more information.
