increase-storage-capacity

Generally speaking, warehouse managers know when they are in need of a change in the capacity of their facility. Perhaps, there is a variance in storage needs on a seasonal basis. Or, maybe there is a known period of inventory growth coming in the near future. Ultimately, changes happen and you need to be able to adapt efficiently and effectively.

There are a lot of options available to make the best use of your space. But, what method (or, methods) of increasing storage capacity is right for your warehouse?

Let’s take a look at some options.

  • Wrap the Areas without Racking: One of the easiest ways to increase storage capacity is to identify spaces that do not currently have racking. Those locations can be perfect for being home to your “stackable” inventory. Placing pallet rack around the perimeter of these “floor stack” areas on the sides where you are not accessing them can help add overall storage capacity.
  • Increase Your Verticality: Have you ever considered utilizing splice kits to increase the height of your current racks? Taking full advantage of your cubic capacity is usually dependent on the tools you use for picking. Before you choose this option, ensure your equipment is capable of lifting your inventory to new heights.
  • Narrow the Aisles: We often find ourselves recommending that our customers narrow their aisles to increase capacity within their existing facilities. This type of remodeling is typically most beneficial when the warehouse is in the market for new picking equipment. This way, we can design an optimal layout for current needs, factoring in opportunities for growth.
  • Build a Mezzanine: A mezzanine is a standalone structure within a building, designed to maximize space above and below. Typically, these structures are incredibly durable and allow you to store more material “up” instead of “out.” Mezzanines are ideal for any commercial or industrial facility. They fit a wide variety of applications because of their flexibility to restructure.
  • Install Over Dock Doors: Especially in warehouses with active shipping and receiving areas, over dock doors can be an excellent option for temporary storage for empty pallets or dunnage. This tactic can clear space on your warehouse floor, and allow for more productive and safer use of space.

What next?

There are several other solutions out there. Many of these options could be beneficial to your ability to increase capacity without breaking the bank. If you are on the lookout for a partner that can help guide you to find the right solution for your business, contact one of our experts today.

reduce-labor-disruptions-with-tech

By nature, warehouse operation managers are skilled problem solvers. The best of these managers can quell many disruptions with quick, efficient on-their-feet decisions. Planning plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth operation. However, there will always be plenty of unforeseen hurdles to overcome, especially when it comes to labor disruptions.

No operation runs at 100% efficiency, without disruption. Even the best managers are going to come across underperformance from their teams. They will also need to overcome outdated design and other challenges that may come with traditional labor. Reducing these inefficiencies allow managers to make fewer, more thoughtful decisions by nature because they won’t be distracted by preventable disruptions.

If you are among those experiencing these issues, know that there are many flexible, cost-effective technology solutions available.

Technology Solutions for Your Operations

  1. Integrate Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). AMRs work in collaboration with human labor to achieve optimal production efficiency without the need for costly facility renovations. As a Certified Fetch Solutions Provider, we can work with you to design workflows that can be easily adjusted thanks to their cloud-based software, FetchCore. Thanks to their built-in sensors, these robots can also dynamically follow a map, allowing for an optimal travel route.
  2. Begin Smart Slotting Your Inventory. Smart Slotting is a warehouse slotting optimization tool that factors in operational, space, replenishment, equipment costs, storage mediums, and more variables to define the lowest-cost operational plan for your facility. With Smart Slotting, we can take the guesswork out of facility layout by calculating the impact that potential changes will make before implementing them.
  3. Install Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light Solutions. Because they use the same hardware and software, warehouses can utilize both Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light Solutions to automate various fulfillment processes. The main goal of both systems is to give you the ability to pack and ship more orders in less time while reducing errors.
  4. Implement Warehouse Execution Systems. A Warehouse Execution System (WES) is a software solution that directs all processes that occur in a distribution center. This system will prioritize work in a way to optimize fulfillment while keeping your facility streamlined. These systems are ideal for operations with less-robust WMS or ERP support. Also, these systems may let you introduce zone or batch-picking to your pick process. This benefit is not possible through some Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).

Whatever the level of consistency you have in labor costs, it can increase with the implementation of technology solutions. Contact us today and let’s talk about what might be right for your operation.

Nicole Kuhn
Nicole Kuhn

 

Welcome, Nicole Kuhn!

We are delighted to welcome Nicole Kuhn to our growing team! Nicole will be working as a Project Coordinator. In this role, she will be assisting with processing orders and providing customer service.

Nicole graduated from Indiana University, where she studied Psychology, Gender Studies, and German. She has spent the last two years working as a Customer Support Associate at TEKsystems. We are so excited about the knowledge and attention to detail that she’ll bring to her role.

Nicole is a purple belt in Hawaiian Kenpo, a mixed martial art that includes Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Kickboxing. She practices several times a week in her local dojo. She hopes eventually to become a black belt in the martial art. Along with this, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Tux and Lucas. Both are rescues from IACS and IndyHumane.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

“I am really excited to work with my team. We have an awesome group here. I’ve wanted to work at a company with a great culture and environment and I’m very excited to be here. Along with this I’m looking forward to learning new aspects of the industry that I haven’t been exposed to previously.”

Interested in becoming part of the Storage Solutions team? Apply here today!

Simple Smart Strategic Video

With our simple, smart, and strategic approach, we offer our customers solutions to cover every aspect of their operation. Whether you’re looking for a storage system to fill a new facility, a design approach to increase your current productivity, or the latest warehouse technology available, we have what you need. With over 40 years of experience, our team will be a partner you can count on to get your project done right.

Kyle Huerkamp
Kyle Huerkamp

 

Welcome, Kyle Huerkamp!

Here at Storage Solutions, we’re constantly on the hunt for talented and eager people to grow our team. With this being said, we are excited to welcome our newest addition, Kyle Huerkamp! Kyle joined us at the beginning of the year as a Project Manager. Welcome to the team, Kyle!

Having grown up in Central Indiana, Kyle decided to attend Purdue University where he studied Aviation. After this, he went on to receive his Masters in Education through Butler University. Before coming to Storage Solutions, he worked in school administration and teaching. As an educator, he taught both physical and life science. In order to best instruct his students, he traveled to Sweden and Finland to incorporate and share their best practices in the classroom. We are thrilled with the drive he possesses as well as his eagerness to learn and succeed in a new industry.

Outside of work, he and his wife, as well as their three children, enjoy camping at many local state parks. One of the most interesting things about Kyle is that he holds an FAA commercial pilot license and is a Certificated Flight Instructor. This certification allows him to take his passion for teaching to the skies. A highlight of his life was landing his first airplane before he had his driver’s license.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

“I’m most excited to creatively address the needs of our clients. I enjoy the challenge of being able to effectively design a solution for them after having looked at all possible scenarios.”

Interested in becoming part of the Storage Solutions team? Apply here today!

dynamic-solutions-labor-costs

With wages projected to rise nationwide, along with costs associated with employee safety, warehouse managers are experiencing an uncomfortable environment of increasing labor costs. Labor cost issues are not unique to those in the material handling industry. The cost of labor in this industry is especially affected by variance when it comes to maintaining the high levels of service expected by customers today.

No one can predict the future. Accidents are avoidable but happen. Weather delays are not unavoidable. Production delays, changes in regulations, and “the human element” all factor into these variances in labor costs. So, how does one accurately forecast? Can you avoid any of these variances with the addition of automation?

Thankfully, the answer is yes. Our experts know how to solve these issues by introducing dynamic solutions to your operations.

Dynamic solutions like vertical lift machines, conveyors, or any of Fetch Robotics’ On-Demand Automation Solutions supplement your current labor force. These solutions allow for growth for your employees. Rather than having your team carrying items back and forth, dynamic solutions assist with the mundane, repetitive aspects of picking. With dynamic solutions in place, your team can focus its attention on more rewarding – and profitable – tasks and initiatives.

How Dynamic Solutions Help Your Business:

  • Cost Certainty: Adding dynamic solutions can help add cost certainty to your budgeting process. We create efficiencies by automating processes that typically are done by manual labor. With investments into automated solutions, you can streamline variable costs that come with human labor – salary, vacation, benefits, insurance, and more.
  • Right-Sized Investments: When it comes to investing in automated solutions, there is a typical misconception around the size of investment a business needs to make. When you work with a Storage Solutions expert, we will work with your team to address your needs and find the right solution, with an investment that matches your budget and fits within your current operation. Every client has unique challenges. However, we solve these challenges by eliminating unnecessary costs.
  • The “Human Element”: Let’s face it. There is a “human element” that comes with labor that often goes understated and underreported. For example, managers account for sick days, underperformance, and other indirect factors that come with employment. By introducing dynamic solutions, you can account for those lost costs and remove some overhead in the process, adding to your overall efficiency.
  • Maximize Potential – While the “human element” is real, your co-workers are still your co-workers. Now that mundane tasks are automated, what kind of work will your employees do next? How will additional attention toward safety, execution, and optimization improve your warehouse and workflow?

What is Next?

Dynamic Solutions are available to help you run your operations smoother. With a higher level of certainty and quality, where can you see your business in just a few months?

Our experts often see returns on our dynamic solutions within two years or less, because we put the right solution in front of our clients. We pay attention to the details so we can customize a solution to satisfy the exact needs of your operations.

Contact us today to learn more about our Dynamic Solutions and how these solutions can support your bottom line.