Warehouse Organization & Design

Value-stream mapping (VSM): how to identify inefficiencies in the warehouse

Value-stream mapping is a Lean manufacturing technique aimed at detecting deficiencies and improvement opportunities in the production and logistics management processes of a product.

Fast-moving consumer goods: all about FMCG logistics

FMCG products not only require optimal safety and productivity in operations such as warehousing and conveyance, but often pose a challenge to order delivery.

Inbound logistics: what’s it all about?

Inbound logistics is an integral supply chain process charged with ensuring that the company receives the products or resources it needs to be able to do business.

Freight consolidation: shipment grouping to facilitate transportation

Freight consolidation is a key phase in logistics: it reduces travel, ensures smooth flows of goods, and facilitates sustainable logistics.

Logistics management for a competitive edge

Logistics management is the process of organizing products and movements of goods in the warehouse to reduce the time and costs involved in preparing orders.

Middle mile delivery: second-to-last link in the supply chain

Middle mile logistics is a process involving the transfer of goods from one warehouse to another. This operation has an impact on the other processes in the supply chain.

Forklifts: the most appropriate for your warehouse

Your choice of forklift will depend on multiple factors and criteria, since these machines need to adapt to the characteristics of the warehouse and to the unit loads to be handled.

2021 supply chain crisis: global shortages and how to overcome them

2021 global supply chain crisis: in this post, we look at some of the causes that triggered the supply chain disruption and put forward some proposals to mitigate its effects.

What does a supply chain manager do?

What does a supply chain manager do? This professional’s tasks are geared towards optimizing resources such as raw materials, storage, and the human capital involved in the different stages across the ...

Finished goods warehouse: definition and examples

Finished product warehouses, normally located close to the production plant, are fundamental in order for companies’ supply chains to function optimally.

Warehouse storage techniques for efficient use of space

Warehouse storage techniques are strategies that businesses use to efficiently house products in their logistics facilities and facilitate product inflows and outflows.

8 warehouse organization ideas to increase efficiency

Do you want to revise how your warehouse is organized but don’t know where to start? Follow our tips, and your company’s productivity will increase: a real time saver for everyone.

Urban warehouses speed up the last mile

Urban warehouses are the ideal solution for guaranteeing compliance with ecommerce logistics standards: same-day deliveries and free product returns.

Warehouse picker: what does an order picker do?

A warehouse picker is a professional in the logistics field mainly tasked with pulling the products that make up an order and consolidating it for shipment.

Cannibalization in reverse logistics: definition and benefits

Cannibalization in reverse logistics makes it possible to reuse components from goods in disuse, commonly seen with technology products, to promote environmentally sustainable development.

Sustainable logistics for e-commerce: eco-friendly solutions

Sustainable logistics consists of reducing the environmental impact of the supply chain through innovation and technology.

Bonded warehouse: your ally for import/export management

A bonded warehouse is a facility that stores goods from a foreign country that are controlled by the customs authorities for an unlimited time.

Supply chain sustainability to minimize environmental impact

A sustainable supply chain ensures that products that satisfy its customers are supplied in a socially responsible way and without putting the environment at risk.

Just-in-case logistics: the alternative to JIT

Just-in-case logistics: this production and inventory strategy consists of producing and storing finished goods in advance, as opposed to responding to the demand for each product.

What is elastic logistics?

Elastic logistics is a trend increasingly seen in all economic sectors, especially the retail industry, where fluctuations in demand are very common.

Takt time: what it is and how it's calculated

Takt time: the aim of this concept is to adapt the production pace to the demand rate, thus satisfying customer needs.

Procurement in logistics: the key to efficient service

Procurement in logistics is fundamental for achieving an efficient supply chain. Its objective consists of managing stock to supply the production lines continuously.

Benefits of gamification tools in logistics

Gamification tools are implemented through actions such as contests, more fun and intuitive software interfaces, and periodic challenges, among many others.

Distribution center: shortening delivery times, eradicating errors

Distribution centers came about as a replacement for traditional warehouses in order to cut logistics costs in last-mile delivery and returns management.

Transit warehouse: solution for transporting goods further

A transit warehouse is a temporary storage area located between the central facility and the end customer. Its racks should streamline the loading and unloading of goods.

EOQ formula: the key to optimal stock management

EOQ formula: the economic order quantity formula is used to calculate when and in what quantity a product should be procured so as to optimize a company’s orders. We’ll show you how it can benefit you ...

Supply chain management: the key to efficiency

Supply chain management refers to the organization of the flows of goods and services that play a part in the design, creation, storage, sale, and delivery of a product.

Additive manufacturing: 3D printing digitizes production

Additive manufacturing is a production system that uses computer-aided design (CAD) to create 3D objects.

Poka-yoke explained in 5 examples

The poka-yoke method, which is especially useful in logistics, aims to prevent mistakes in operations and, if they do occur, minimize their consequences.

Continuous improvement: applications in logistics

Implementing continuous improvement methods makes it possible to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in logistics processes. But how can you improve the day-to-day running of your warehouse with the ...

Supply chain resilience: how to achieve it

A resilient supply chain is one that responds effectively to all types of disruptions that may interrupt its operation, from natural phenomena to technology issues.

Intralogistics: a competitive advantage

Intralogistics is the supply-chain working area comprising efficient flows of raw materials and finished products within a company.

Palletization: the importance of getting it right

Palletization is the logistics process consisting of placing goods together on top of a pallet to consolidate the load, making it easier for the handling equipment to transport it.

Types of logistics in the supply chain

The various types of logistics serve to classify the processes through which a product goes. You need to know the characteristics of each operation to optimize it and gain greater throughput.

On-demand warehousing for more flexible logistics

On-demand warehousing began as a trend whereby businesses outsource operations, such as the storage and dispatch of certain orders, for a short period of time.

Overstock: how to avoid it

Overstock in the warehouse can lead to serious overcosts and logistics errors for a company. In this post, we’ll explain what overstock is, how it’s generated, and how to put an end to it.

Unitization: ensuring load safety

Unitization is a key supply chain process consisting of properly preparing the goods to facilitate their storage, handling, and transfer.

MOQ (minimum order quantity): striking a balance

Minimum order quantity (MOQ): it’s possible to negotiate this with suppliers to reduce the initial outlay, minimize storage costs, and avoid warehouse overstocking.

Cycle service level: variable supply chain to prioritize customer satisfaction

Cycle service level indicates the probability of having enough stock to cope with demand. It is directly related to inventory management and customer satisfaction.

Logistics manager: profile of a key role

Logistics manager is a position of great responsibility in any company, regardless of sector, as this key figure’s role is to manage all processes taking place in the warehouse.

Logistics centers: the cornerstone of the supply chain

Logistics centers not only store goods; they participate directly in all activities related to the supply chain.

Cleanrooms: how to eliminate contaminants

Cleanrooms are completely isolated working areas in which air cleanliness levels, pressure, and temperature are controlled to prevent microorganisms from entering and potentially damaging the products ...

Multistory warehouses: the solution to scarce floor space?

Multistory warehouses: our article delves into this new trend affecting the design and construction of logistics centers. We’ll give you an overview of what they are, their purpose, and their advantag ...

ABC analysis: advantages for warehouse inventory classification

The ABC analysis for classifying inventory enables you to organize the distribution of the products in your warehouse according to the importance of each SKU in terms of its value and turnover.

Warehouse slotting: how to hit the jackpot

Warehouse slotting strategies determine the way products are organized in the installation to optimize space and movements. Find out which are the most common.

Picking area: how to design and equip the one for your warehouse

Picking area: when designing this zone for a warehouse, its location and setup depend on the installation’s operational characteristics. Find out about the most popular options in our article.

Warehouse layout: designing it from the ground up

Warehouse layout: when designing this, you have to strike a balance between flows of people and materials, goods accessibility, available space, and stock throughput. How can you do this?

Spare parts warehouse: how should you organize it?

Spare parts warehouse: organizing one optimally means being able to prepare a large volume of orders simultaneously and managing an immense inventory. We'll show you how to do this in our article.

Chaotic warehousing: pros and cons

Although the name may be misleading, selecting warehouse locations in a chaotic style actually follows a very strict order. Here, you will learn about the advantages of this goods organization system ...

Best-in-class warehousing zones

Where does my warehouse offer opportunities for improvement? In this post, you will get some tips on how to optimize the main zones of a warehouse.

In-warehouse goods receipts: phases and best practices

Goods receipt is one of the most important in-warehouse operations, as it is what kicks off the flow of materials. What phases does the process involve? How can it be improved?

What is cross-docking? Types and how it works

Knowing what cross-docking is in terms of warehouse operations allows you to evaluate its suitability for your business. Discover how it works and the most widespread types of cross-docking.

Advantages and disadvantages of cross-docking: when to apply it in your warehouse?

It is important to know what the advantages and disadvantages of cross-docking are to be able to evaluate whether it is the best strategy for your warehouse. What impact does cross-docking have on sto ...

Embracing cross-docking: 3 success stories

In theory, cross-docking has the capacity to speed up logistics operations. However, in actual fact: Which companies use cross-docking? Here are 3 examples of how cross-docking is used successfully.

Why choose us to draw up your logistics layout?

Discover the reasons why you should get in touch with our team to create your warehouse layout and your global storage project. Interlake Mecalux will help you climb the ladder to success.

Three steps to an optimized industrial facility design

If you follow these three steps, you will have all the essential tools to define the best layout and get an optimized warehouse. Use our tips to give priority to this important initial design phase of ...

When should you rethink your warehouse’s design?

Is your warehouse layout optimized or not? How about your logistics flows? Is the competition more efficient? Interlake Mecalux will help you know when to rethink your warehouse’s design.

Designing Warehouse Layouts: What do you need to know?

Designing a new storage facility? Here we help you identify exactly what information you need to know in order to set the stage for a highly optimized warehouse layout.