Searching for the tools and ideas to design an expert warehouse floor plan? Discover how to maximize space and productivity with the latest technology in racking and automated systems.
A raw material warehouse is a facility that stores components or materials that will subsequently be used on production lines to manufacture products. In addition to storing raw material, the warehouse is charged with ensuring the smooth supply of goods to the production lines.
The latest trends in warehouse management in recent years are led by automation and process digitization. The emergence of new technologies has simplified information flows and made logistics operations more agile.
Electric trucks are vehicles equipped with electric motors, a system that emits fewer greenhouse gases. Used to deliver orders to customers, electric trucks could help to achieve a greener supply chain by causing less pollution.
The inventory control specialist is the warehouse employee charged with monitoring stock inflows and outflows in the facility. The implementation of warehouse management software across logistics has made this job profile more technology-oriented.
The logistics manager is the professional in charge of overseeing storage and distribution operations in the warehouse. The logistics manager’s many responsibilities include supervising daily activities and controlling stock in the facility.
Cycle stock (or active inventory) is the portion of inventory a vendor uses to satisfy regular sales orders. To ensure efficient inventory control, it’s essential to calculate the cycle stock for each product in your facility on a regular basis.
Outbound logistics is the process of processing, dispatching, and transporting goods from the warehouse to end customers or to another company center. Digitizing outbound logistics with warehouse management software boosts the throughput of the rest of the supply chain operations.
Order consolidation is the phase prior to order distribution and delivery to customers. This process includes the product packing and labeling processes as well as the creation of the necessary documents for the delivery agency.
In logistics, consolidation and deconsolidation cross-docking make inventory control and goods dispatch more complex. The solution for implementing consolidation and deconsolidation cross-docking more efficiently lies in replacing manual warehouse management with digital logistics.
Warehouse space management: lack of space is one of logistics managers’ main concerns — and even more so with the rise of ecommerce. High-density storage systems and digitization are two go-to solutions for overcoming space issues in a logistics facility.
Warehouse WiFi: it’s crucial to be equipped with a powerful, robust system to adapt to new technologies and maintain a coordinated, efficient logistics facility. A weak wireless connection in certain parts of the warehouse could cause the sensors to disconnect, putting safety at risk.
Applying a value-stream mapping analysis to a manufacturing process enables the implementation of Lean logistics techniques in the production lines. VSM is a flow diagram representing the different tasks a product goes through in the manufacturing process.
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) have a high turnover rate, requiring agile logistics processes. The FMCG industry includes all kinds of products that are produced and consumed on a mass scale: from food and beverages to cosmetics, among others.
Inbound logistics refers to the procurement and receipt of resources or products a company needs to conduct its business. Digitizing inbound logistics with warehouse management software boosts the throughput of the rest of the supply chain operations.
Freight consolidation is an operation that consists of combining several small shipments to create a larger transportation unit. Depending on the company’s production or distribution strategy, these consolidated shipments can come from one or more suppliers.
Logistics management can give businesses a competitive advantage by enabling them to provide good service. Logistics management allows companies to organize their processes properly in a way that facilitates storage and order picking tasks.
Middle mile logistics consists of moving goods from the warehouse to another facility. Companies with warehouses in different regions optimize the distribution of goods to provide customers with better service.
The type of forklift used in a warehouse will depend in the layout, the storage systems installed, and the loads to be handled. This equipment must adapt to the racks to maximize productivity and prevent errors that affect logistics operations.
The supply chain crisis is a new reality in 2021 that could prevent logistics operations from running smoothly. In this post, we analyze the current state of the supply chain, the main causes of the disruption, and how to mitigate this crisis with Logistics 4.0 solutions.
What does a supply chain manager do? This professional is responsible for coordinating operations relating to the supply chain. In this post, we analyze the overall responsibilities of a supply chain manager, the specific training they require, and how digitization has facilitated their tasks.
A finished goods warehouse is a space for storing items that have left production and are ready to be distributed. Optimizing the design of these facilities and using automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) helps to speed up storage, order picking, and dispatch.
Warehouse storage techniques are strategies used to efficiently organize products in a logistics facility. Companies generally store goods on racks that help them to perform storage and order picking tasks quickly and without error.
Urban warehouses are warehousing, order picking, and distribution centers located in or close to cities. In this post, we analyze the emergence of urban warehouses, explaining their role in the supply chain and their organization.
A warehouse picker is an operator charged with pulling the products that make up an order and consolidating it. This job profile calls for a responsible professional, capable of managing multiple tasks without losing efficiency or productivity.
Cannibalization in reverse logistics refers to the management of products in disuse or at the end of their useful life. The aim is to recover salvageable parts to use them in the repair, restoration, or manufacture of other items.
Sustainable logistics consists of optimizing warehouse operations and transportation routes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s one of the biggest challenges facing e-commerce nowadays.
A bonded warehouse is a facility in which goods from outside the country are stored. It’s a space designed to temporarily house merchandise to be administered by the customs authorities.
A sustainable supply chain is one that promotes good practices to lessen its environmental impact. More and more, society and consumers expect businesses to be respectful of the planet and its inhabitants.
Just-in-case logistics: the JIC production and inventory strategy facilitates management in the event of supply chain disruptions. JIC is a push production system, where manufacturing costs are lower thanks to large-scale production.
Elastic logistics is the ability to increase or reduce the resources in a warehouse to adapt to changes in demand. It makes it possible to adjust the production lines or dispatch process to current product demand without incurring more warehouse operating costs.
Takt time denotes the time that should be used to manufacture a product in order to meet customer demand. To calculate it, divide the time available for producing a good by the number of units ordered by the customer.
Procurement in logistics comprises purchasing the materials necessary for manufacturing or selling a product. Effective procurement management is essential to ensure that the company has the raw materials required at all times.
Gamification tools in logistics comprise game-based learning techniques aimed at promoting strategic objectives. Applied to logistics, gamification consists of developing, implementing, and supporting more entertaining operations that increase operator throughput.
A distribution center is a logistics facility focused on goods receipt, storage, and dispatch processes. In this post, we examine the importance of distribution centers, their function in the supply chain, and how they differ from traditional warehouses.
A transit warehouse is a space set up exclusively to quickly receive and dispatch goods. These types of warehouses use simple and light handling equipment to speed up the logistics operations carried out in them.
How often should you place an order with a supplier? The EOQ formula is a mathematic calculation for optimizing inventory management in the warehouse. By taking the demand, the price of the materials, and the cost of storage, this formula can calculate when to acquire a product and in what quantity.
Supply chain management: carrying this out effectively is essential for ensuring full traceability of a product throughout all the phases it undergoes. This is achieved through coordination between all the stakeholders involved in the creation, storage, and delivery of the item to the end customer.
Additive manufacturing is a production process in which objects are created by adding layers of material, similar to 3D printing. As opposed to traditional processes, a digital model is used, without the need for molds.
Poka-yoke is a work method that facilitates the detection and elimination of errors in production and logistics processes. Through poka-yoke, companies can continuously improve their processes and avoid mistakes that could tarnish the firm’s image.
Continuous improvement techniques are a set of strategies designed to optimize a company’s processes. In this post, we’ll tell you all about continuous improvement and how it can benefit logistics.
A resilient supply chain is one that can effectively overcome any disruptions that may occur. Its main objective is to ensure that storage, order prep, and delivery are carried out as per the conditions previously agreed upon with the customer.
Intralogistics encompasses all movements of raw materials and finished products taking place within a company. The incorporation of new technology has made it possible to precisely organize these movements while reducing costs and time.
Palletization is the logistics process consisting of placing goods together on top of a pallet to consolidate the load, making it easier to transport. Although e-commerce has increased the use of boxes as a customary unit load in warehouses, pallets remain a vital part of logistics operations.
Logistics encompasses all the stages from a product’s manufacture to its delivery to the end customer. We can differentiate between the various types of logistics according to the stage the product is in or the operation being carried out at a given time.
On-demand warehousing is the evolution of 3PL: the outsourcing of logistics services for a short period of time. With increasingly global markets, flexibility and scalability are key concepts for understanding the rise of on-demand warehousing.
Overstock or excess inventory stems from errors in planning and coordination between the sales and/or purchasing departments and the warehouse. However, the issue of overstock can be resolved by means of intralogistics solutions that ensure productivity.
Unitization is the act of grouping and preparing various items into different unit loads that facilitate their handling and transfer. Its objective is to ensure the integrity of the products during transportation, which is essential for the success of all supply chain operations.
The minimum order quantity or MOQ refers to the very least number of units of a product a supplier is willing to sell. Suppliers use the minimum order quantity to offset production and ensure a profit margin for each order purchased by customers.
Cycle service level indicates the probability of meeting demand without running out of stock. This concept is directly related to stock management, which is essential for preparing orders and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Warehouse manager is one of the most in-demand and highly valued profiles in the market, due to the importance of logistics in the corporate sector. Duties of warehouse managers include inventory and dispatch management as well as monitoring of warehouse tasks, including picking.
Logistics centers are much more than merely spaces for storing goods. Their role is essential to having an efficient supply chain. Depending on their design, location, and various functions, they can be classified as particular types of facilities.
Businesses in the food, cosmetics, and chemical industries use cleanrooms to manufacture their products. In the warehouse, automatic conveyors securely connect cleanrooms to the other areas in the installation.
Multistory warehouses are a type of storage installation gaining traction in the US in which each floor functions independently from the rest. What are their pros and cons? We’ll show you in our article, together with other solutions designed to leverage storage vertically.
The ABC analysis for inventory classification enables you to organize the distribution of goods in your warehouse. It’s calculated according to the importance for the company of each SKU in terms of its value and turnover. Find out how to get the most out of the ABC analysis at your installation.
Warehouse slotting strategies determine the way products are organized in the installation. In our article, we’ll go over the most commonly used ones, as well as factors to consider for effective stock location management.
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 for the picking and order prep area.
Warehouse layout: what are the combined factors that go into designing it from scratch? In our article, we review the four main areas that affect warehouse layout design: flows, accessibility, available space, and stock throughput.
Spare parts warehouse: organizing one optimally means being able to prepare a large volume of orders simultaneously and managing an immense inventory. In our article, we’ll show you the key strategies and systems for managing an installation for spare parts.
Do you need to put together your logistics warehouse layout? Find out why Mecalux is the business you should choose. Know-how, experience, a plethora of storage and warehousing management solutions, and an open-minded team are part of why we are successful.
Analyzing each warehouse zone on an individual and thorough basis helps identify room for improvement in an installation. In this post, you will get some tips on how to optimize the main zones of a warehouse. Don't miss out!
Although the name may be misleading, selecting warehouse locations in a chaotic style actually follows a very strict, organized order. Discover how it works and what advantages it has for warehouse organization. Don’t miss out!
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? What strategies can I apply to improve it? Keep reading to find out more!
In theory, cross-docking has the capacity to speed up logistics operations. However, in actual fact: Which companies use cross-docking? In which situations? Interlake Mecalux presents 3 examples of how cross-docking is used successfully in the pharmaceutical, food and e-commerce sectors.
Knowing what cross-docking is in terms of warehouse operations and its usefulness allows you to evaluate its suitability for your business. Discover how it works and the most widespread types of cross-docking in our article on the topic.
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 storage operations? Read our article and find out in which cases it is used and why.
How can you optimize your warehouse’s layout? Mecalux will help you draw up a layout for your industrial facility to ensure it is designed in the best way possible. Thanks to these tips, you will reap the benefits in productivity, more specifically in time savings, space, money and efficiency to make your warehouse more profitable.
When is the best time to change your warehouse’s or logistics platform’s design? Interlake Mecalux highlights everything you need to know before making this decision. Said investment requires a solid pre-analysis of your needs and objectives, which we will lay out for you in this article.
How should a warehouse be organized? What are some core, ‘must know’ storage concepts? Mecalux professionals will help increase your productivity. Thanks to their advice, your operators will work in a completely safe setting and more effectively: a real time and money saver for your business.
Wondering how to design a highly organized and profitable warehouse layout? Learn what essential information you need to get your hands on. Here we explain the various technical and strategic details that will help steer you towards the ideal structure and organization for your facility.
1-708-344-9999
Contact
Careers
Shop
Catalogs