Warehouse Design – Key Considerations
25/02/2013
When designing your new warehouse or distribution facility location is a key factor that can make or break the success of your supply chain.
However, before you even think about locations you need to review several factors including having a complete understanding of your current requirements coupled with detailed future planning giving you insight into how your warehousing needs will change and develop in the future.
It is worth investing in detailed supply chain modelling to help you review different scenarios and ensures you build into your plans sufficient flexibility for the future.
Warehouse Location – what you should consider
Your warehouse location is key to the design process and needs to bring you as close to your customers as possible. On demand is fast becoming the norm in people lives and although this expectation is easier to meet with digital content expectations are still high when it comes to the delivery of physical items.
As well as being close to your customers your warehouse location needs to work within your existing supply chain. Your new warehouse design will be closely linked to whether you need:
- a stand-alone warehouse to serve nationwide demand
- a new warehouse to expand your existing network
- a new warehouse to replace an existing facility
Other factors effecting your warehouse design and location include budget, operational costs and customer service ability.
Being aware of your competitors
Although your new warehouse design will need to primarily be focused on your needs and requirements it is worth also reviewing your competitors. By looking at the warehousing and networks of your competitors you can identify aspects that work and perhaps more importantly areas were improvements can be made that will give you a competitive edge.
Professional advice and support
With so many key considerations it is worth investing in professional warehouse design advice from an experienced supply chain consultancy. They will be able to carry out detailed supply chain analysis and modelling plus provide support and advice throughout the project to ensure you get the right warehouse design in the right location.
Total Logistics has extensive experience in designing supply chain warehouses and distribution centres all around the world, incorporating both manual and fully automated solutions.
They model material flows and stock holding, overlaid with growth predictions, to understand the future business shape. Plus consider customer service requirements to develop a range of mechanical handling equipment options. Clients are involved throughout the process, to ensure that the warehouse design full meets all the clients’ current and future requirements.
For more details visit http://www.total-logistics.eu.com
