In many ways, the warehouse is where the magic of your business happens. It certainly may have felt like finally securing your own warehouse was a real ‘I’ve made it’ moment, that had the bonus of allowing you to get those stock boxes off your bedroom floor!
But, as your business grows, your warehouse might start to become more of a headache than a heady dream. This is especially true if the space is constantly operating at 85%+ capacity, leaving you with no real idea of where to put new orders, or how to effectively pick the stock you have.
Unfortunately, learning to manage warehouse overflow is a surprisingly common challenge, especially when scaling operations. Still, it’s something you’ll want to get on top of quickly if you’re to stand any chance at staying afloat.
Here Are Some Top Ways to Manage Warehouse Overflow:
1. Revisit Inventory Management
If you’re battling with capacity problems in your warehouse then it’s probably worth revisiting inventory management before you do anything else. After all, if your warehouse is fuller than a downtown bar on a Friday night, you can bet your inventory levels are off-kilter. Going back over everything with a fine-toothed comb is sure to give you the reality check you need to get things back on track.
After all, you don’t need a load of stock just sitting in your warehouse. If capacity has reached these heady heights, it’s probably a symptom of overordering, or failing to foresee demand. Of course, there’s always going to be busy periods when a fuller warehouse is inevitable. But, if you’ve been operating at more than 85% capacity for months now, it’s time to make a change.
2. Perfect Pallet Stacking
Even a reasonably stocked warehouse can become overcrowded without an efficient packing system, meaning that you’ll also want to consider solutions to help you sort necessary inventory into a more easily manageable status. Pallet stacking is a fantastic option here, as it can significantly free up floor space and increase warehouse capacity.
This is an especially viable option if you also invest in additional equipment to make it possible, such as forklifts that can neatly place stacked pallets out of the way, and automated systems that handle everything from inventory tracking to Ti-Hi pallet counting which ensures you’re never over or underloading your stacked stock. Just like that, you may find that even your full warehouse feels more spacious and easier to manage.
3. Secure Extra Shelving
If you’ve implemented all the above suggestions and your warehouse still feels messier than your child’s bedroom, it’s likely time to manage warehouse overflow by securing extra shelving. Vertical warehouse shelving solutions offer an undeniably effective way to manage warehouse storage demands, Custom-designed shelving can be an especially effective option, as it allows you to fully fill the space you have, while still clearing plenty of aisle space to ensure safer operations.
A full warehouse is rarely a happy thing, but you can quickly clean up using these top tips.
