Storage space is not something given to you without reason. How you store your goods will decide the success of the whole operation. The entire warehouse management goes haywire if you do not keep adequate storage space. For instance, if your bin storage rack area is too small, it will be challenging to maintain hygiene in the place, which may lead to contamination of products during transportation and storage of goods that can affect their appearance and result in waste.
What is Storage Space Slotting?
Warehouse owners use storage space slotting to ensure that products are stored efficiently and correctly in a warehouse. It involves assigning a specific location for each product type within the warehouse to quickly and easily retrieve items when needed. Storage space slotting can help to improve overall efficiency within the warehouse by reducing the time required to find or store products.
How Does A Business Decide Its Slotting Strategy?
Slotting is a critical part of warehouse management. It’s a process by which you take inventory, store it and ensure it is in good shape for delivery. In warehouse administration, slotting uses ‘racking for storage‘ to maximise a warehouse’s utilisation by managing inventory grouped by type and size. The goal is to provide quick access to frequently used items while using the available floor space effectively.
But before you can even think about implementing a slotting strategy, you need to understand the factors that will help you determine the best strategy for your business. The factors include:
- The type of product you sell – whether it’s perishable or not. If you have fast-moving items, you’ll want to put them in prime locations that are easy for your employees to access. You can store slow-moving items in less accessible areas.
- How much space do you have available for storage?
- Your budget – how much does it cost to fit in?
- Your customer base – do they prefer to buy products from your warehouse or the shop?
- How much time do they have to wait for delivery?
- You also need to consider the size and weight of your products when deciding on a storage strategy. Heavier items should be stored closer to the ground, while lighter items can be stored higher up. You’ll also want to consider any special handling requirements for particular objects.
- Consider your warehouse layout and what equipment you have available. You’ll want to slot items in a way that maximises efficiency and minimises travel time for your employees.
How to Implement Storage Space Slotting in Your Warehouse?
Regarding warehouse management, one of the most important things to consider is storage space slotting. It assigns specific locations for each item stored in the warehouse. It can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large inventory, but it is essential for maximising efficiency and minimising errors.
Business owners can use a few different methods for storage space slotting. The first is known as gravity flow racking system, which relies on the weight of the items to determine their placement. The second method is selective racking system, which assigns specific locations for each type of item. And finally, there are automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), which use machines to move goods within the warehouse.
The best way to decide which storage space slotting method is suitable for your warehouse will depend on several factors, including the size and layout of your facility, the types of products you store, and your budget. Whichever method you choose, you must ensure that professionals adequately train your employees to use it efficiently and safely.
Benefits of Implementing Storage Space Slotting in Your Warehouse
Storage Space Slotting is one of the most critical steps that you can take to make your warehouse environment more efficient and productive. There are many benefits of implementing storage space slotting in your warehouse management.
- It helps reduce the cost of storage space by reducing the number of pallets stored in the same area.
- It helps reduce inventory levels in the warehouse and thus helps to improve efficiency.
- It helps reduce transportation costs, one of the most significant expenses for any company.
- It helps improve employee productivity and, in turn, enhances profitability for your business.
- It allows for a proper flow of goods through your warehouse. It allows for optimal efficiency as every item moves toward completion in your warehouse without any delay or interference from other items in transit.
- It helps determine how many products are in each category and how many units you need. This will further help determine where to place new items in your warehouse so that employees can easily access them or store them until needed.
Storage space slotting is a procedure to create efficient storage within a warehouse. It establishes storage locations or slots in a warehouse or any storage facility by placing goods of the same type, size and weight of each type, size and weight and a proper distance from the other arrivals to the warehouse. It helps businesses utilise available storage space and may reduce warehousing costs. Slotting is used widely in warehouses across industries such as discount retailing, consumer staples, automotive distribution and food processing.