In this post, we will talk about the 6 common warehousing mistakes companies make today and how to avoid them.
What is Warehousing, and what does it involve?
If you run a fulfillment business, warehousing will inevitably be a major requirement. Why? Because you need a place to store your inventory before shipping it in bulk or individually to end customers. That is exactly what warehousing can offer.
Whether you’re a startup or a multinational company, chances are your business will depend on warehousing to succeed. Warehousing has grown exponentially with the rise of e-commerce, and all signs indicate that it will continue to do.
There are several different options available when it comes to warehousing. The options vary in scale, term, and services included. This means there are warehouses out there that can meet essentially every business need.
Whereas some warehousing service providers simply offer the bare minimum (storage for your products or raw materials), others go above and beyond. Those provide everything from transportation to pick and pack and quality control.
Thus, the right warehousing service provider can help you to avoid the biggest responsibilities involved in order fulfillment.
What 6 Common Warehousing Mistakes do companies tend to make?
Although finding a warehousing service provider can be incredibly advantageous, there are some fairly common mistakes that business owners can make during this process. As well, warehousing requirements significantly vary from business to business, so there is no one-size-fits-all.
6 Common Warehousing Mistakes to Avoid
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Poor planning
Warehousing requires a significant amount of planning, and a lack of such planning can ultimately hurt your business. Since the industry is in a constant state of change, it is frequently necessary to adapt to new processes, procedures, and technology. Thus, it is necessary to plan how your business’ approach to warehousing will grow and change with the times.
First, the planning process should include a review of established metrics to better understand your warehousing efficiency. Next, determine where there might be areas with room for improvement.
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Failing to keep things organized
Efficiency declines when your warehouse is not organized. Employees are slowed down looking for products (thus delaying your order fulfillment), and inventory is next to impossible to track.
To ensure that operations continue to run smoothly every day, implement measures that will keep your warehouse organized.
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Overstocking the wrong items
No matter what types of products your business provides, you will likely find that certain items sell better than others. Avoid ordering too many of the items that are not selling well, or risk being overstocked with these products.
You use valuable warehouse space when you hold overstock that has a lower demand. This is why it is always necessary to consider supply and demand for all of the items that you store.
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Understocking popular items
On the flip side, it’s important that you stock the items that tend to sell rapidly. If you run out of your most popular products too quickly, it will be challenging to stay on top of restocking them. Once you run out of stock, you are likely to lose customers to your competitors.
Having a good warehouse management system in place will ensure you have the right amount of stock for the right products.
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Lack of adherence to safety procedures
Another big mistake that companies often make when it comes to warehousing is failing to follow health and safety guidelines. It is important to understand that there are numerous safety hazards in warehouses. Employees will be hurt if the proper precautions and standards for maintaining safety are not followed.
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Failing to use a quality warehouse management system
Although some companies still depend on pen & paper inventory management, those that are thriving have left this outdated method in the past. Digital warehouse management systems can boost efficiency and speed up various tasks in several ways.
With a high-quality warehouse management system, you can better manage the logistics of order fulfillment, inventory, and several other factors. Ultimately, setting your business on a path to success.
How you can benefit from Wills Transfer’s Warehousing Services
Now that you are aware of the 6 common warehousing mistakes, you can avoid these errors whenever possible.
One of the best ways to do so is by seeking services from a provider like Wills Transfer Limited. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to ensure your business never has to worry about unexpected warehousing issues.
We have provided reliable warehousing services to satisfied customers for over 75 years. How, because we know the industry better than anyone.
Through our commercial warehousing services, you can take advantage of our impeccable inventory management system. A system that provides you with a full picture of your inventory at any time. Additionally, our warehouses are monitored 24 hours a day to ensure your products are kept safe and secure at all times.
Best of all, you can also gain a significant advantage by making use of our varied specialized services, including;
All of which help optimize your business’s day-to-day operations.
For more information about our commercial warehousing services or to learn more about the extensive list of other services we provide, call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here
