For many large businesses, the cost of warehousing can be significant in running the firm, especially if a company owns multiple warehouses. In these cases, it is important to watch how money is being spent in the warehouses, to avoid any unnecessary costs. In order to optimize warehousing costs, you have to make sure that your business is running as efficiently as possible. Here are some tips on how you can keep your warehouse costs low!
Effective and often communication
While often underrated, communication is one of the most important factors to upkeep in a warehouse. It is important to communicate to your employees the goals of the company, correct processes, and key performance indicators. This will help foster an open environment in which employees feel comfortable sharing their questions or concerns. This will help reduce accidents and even turnover, reducing the costs for your company.
Empower your leaders
Educate those that are in charge to ask the right questions, make the right choices, and lead employees to success. These leaders should visit the shop floor often and should be very familiar with the business processes in order to offer their advice. With the right leadership in place, you can be sure that every decision made in regard to the warehouse is a wise one. It also ensures that warehouse employees have a leader to look up to in times of need.
Find the right level of automation
It is no secret that automation is the future of manufacturing and such processes have already made their way into every warehouse today. However, it is important to note that while many automation processes can help save you time and money, too much automation may over-complicate processes, especially if it is unnecessary to your business process. Sit down and analyze which processes would benefit from automation and which will serve better if done by employees. This will allow you to direct shop floor workers to tasks that are most important.
Have a strong training program
Before any employee begins a job, it is necessary that they receive the proper training required to correctly perform the job functions in order to minimize any accidents or injuries. For warehouse employees, this training could not be more important, as they are exposed to higher risks everyday. Not only is it important to have an extensive pre-work training program, it is important that your company provides employees with ongoing training so that everyone is updated with new equipment and processes. This will eliminate any confusion, helping to reduce workplace injuries in the long run.
Performance tracking and reporting
In order to keep your warehouse costs low, you must always be improving processes; the only way to improve is to know what to improve. Therefore, performance tracking and reporting is crucial. Establishing key success measures will help you understand your drawbacks, allowing you to work to improve warehouse processes.
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References:
Company, F. “
Warehouse Strategies – Warehouse Cost Saving Ideas – Reduce Warehouse Costs – F. Curtis Barry & Company”. Fcbco.com. N. p., 2017. Web. 23 June 2017.
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Warehouse Cost Savings: 18 Considerations To Reduce Costs“. Transportation Management Company | Cerasis. N. p., 2016. Web. 23 June 2017.
