But what is the remedy to prevent this from happening, or how to correct it?<\/p>\n
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We share with you the 5 good practices of our industrial layout and storage experts:<\/p>\n
We hope these 5 principles will help you make your storage space more optimized and efficient.<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1er-truc-pour-optimiser-entrepot-Pedlex.gif\")
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1. Analyse<\/h4>\n
Study the time spent\u00a0<\/b>by your employees on the road, the routes and the frequency of each trip. Then,\u00a0identify the places where the obstacles that lead to wasted time.
\n<\/b>This will\u00a0increase your efficiency and free up time and resources.<\/b><\/p>\n
Example: if the space for receiving new merchandise is difficult to access, or far from the entrance – access will take too long, this is a point to improve.<\/p>\n
Tip from the pros \u2013 note the traces of your handling equipment, it shows the most frequent paths.<\/i><\/p>\n
It is essential to manage your time and space well.<\/p>\n
And if you find yourself with too much inventory or not sure how to manage your square footage, our space optimization experts can visit your premises and advise you.<\/p>\n
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2. Adopt the 5S method<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/2e-truc-pour-optimiser-entrepot-Pedlex.gif\")
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“Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain” – the benefits of the 5S method of LEAN are many and obvious.<\/p>\n
But its\u00a0most important aspect is: efficiency<\/b>.<\/p>\n
How to get started?<\/p>\n
Keep only what we need, in good condition, tidy, clean and check that it is done by our team.
\n<\/b>Everything should have its place – so everything needs a place in your warehouse.<\/p>\n
Tip from our pros: the most frequently used tools should be the most accessible.<\/i><\/p>\n
Markings on the floor or on the equipment (on the shelves, on the pallet racks, or on the wall where the tools are hung) will help the whole team know where to put which equipment.
\nFor tool chest drawers, custom cut foam will do the same.
\nThis habit will\u00a0allow you to identify what is missing quickly<\/b>, before needing it becomes a problem.<\/p>\n
Maintaining \u2013 this is the \u201cnerve of war\u201d and we must do it regularly and not wait to react.
\nAlso,\u00a0cleanliness is not a waste of time<\/b>. Often taken as a chore, indeed, it is a task like any other.<\/p>\n
Finally,\u00a0this method must be adopted by the whole team.<\/b><\/p>\n
Tip from our pros: explain the standardized practices that you adopt, to the different users of the premises, equipment, tools, workstations, etc.<\/i><\/p>\n3. Location<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3e-truc-pour-optimiser-entrepot-Pedlex.gif\")
<\/p>\n
Following the \u201clocate\u201d principle, our experts frequently recommend\u00a0defining locations for different types of merchandise<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Examples:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
- \n
- incoming or outgoing goods<\/li>\n
- for local or long distance delivery<\/li>\n
- ready-to-sell or long-term inventory (reserved)<\/li>\n
- finished products or ones still to be worked on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Having areas established like this will\u00a0allow you to easily locate stock at a glance. This will avoid errors and reduce your preparation time.<\/b><\/p>\n
This is as important in the warehouse or factory as it is in administration, for example assigning a designated location for files (purchase orders, BL, invoices) processed in priority or completed; which allow you to check the progress visually.<\/p>\n
Tip from our pros:\u00a0If you have two separate delivery routes, separate the goods.
\n<\/i>Loading and control will be faster and you will avoid losing information between the warehouse and the delivery.<\/i><\/p>\n4. Signage<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4e-truc-pour-optimiser-entrepot-Pedlex.gif\")
<\/p>\nIt is invaluable how\u00a0much time is lost looking for stock<\/b>, especially if our responsible colleague is not there at the moment.
\nProfessionals in parts departments that keep products with different sizes or color variants know the risks, posed by misidentified or unidentified merchandise.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s simple:\u00a0to\u00a0label\u00a0is to find<\/b>.
\nOur expertise since 1976 has shown us that\u00a0an optimized signage saves us time, space and increases our security<\/b>.<\/p>\nThe time saved from not searching through inventory is better spent elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Example: We display labels on the pallet racking systems we install. They contain the maximum capacity among other useful information, and are placed at the eye-level of forklift operators.<\/p>\n
Tip from our pros: If you work with partial inventories (partially emptied\u00a0pallets),
\nnote and display how much is taken during each manipulation.
\n<\/i>This will let you know in real time how much stock you have left.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/5e-truc-pour-optimiser-entrepot-Pedlex.gif\")
<\/p>\n5. Protocols<\/h4>\n
“Words fly away, writings remain.”
\nThis proverb is also true for warehouse protocols.<\/p>\nEvery optimization you adopt needs to be written down and communicated\u00a0<\/b>to your team \u2013 whether it’s a method to better manage your space, to protect your people or inventory investments, or to make your inventory easier to find.<\/p>\n
Establishing and displaying protocols\u00a0<\/b>will help you convince your people to adopt new habits and create routines.
\nThere are tasks that may not be readily accepted \u2013 such as storing tools or regular cleaning.<\/p>\nTip from our pros: a protocol will be useful to explain the goal and establish routines.<\/i><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nSchedule a visit by one of our warehousing and layout experts. They will advise you on the potential optimizations of your space that will help you grow inside your premises.<\/p>\n