How to design the efficient warehouse?

10 processes of warehouse design

Before you design your warehouse, you must understand overall requirement and performance. To ensure that your warehouse will bring the most result that matched with your need, following information is the 10 processes for warehouse design. 

Summary all required information and product dimension that you will store on the racks. 

Before designing a storage system, you need to compile a comprehensive summary of all products to be stored. This information is crucial for selecting the right racking and ensuring a safe and efficient warehouse. To accurately plan your racking system, gather the following details for each type of product you will be storing. Considering on object dimensions the height, width, and depth of the individual products, which included the weight of each item, size of the pallet or container the items will be stored on and the total weight of the pallet including the goods and the quantity of each item you will be storing. Once you have this information, you can present it to a warehouse solutions specialist. They will analyze the data to match your needs with the appropriate racking system, taking into account load-bearing capacity, stability, and safety regulations. This ensures the final installation is robust, secure, and perfectly suited for your inventory.

Selecting the Right Forklift

Effectively conveying and delivering goods is a core part of any successful operation. To achieve this, it's crucial to understand your material handling equipment and the procedures for moving goods, with the forklift being a key component. To ensure you choose the best forklift for your needs, you must first have a clear understanding of your warehouse's operational requirements. This involves, analyzing your workflow, assessing your space and understanding your load. By carefully considering these factors, you can select the right forklift that not only matches your operation but also enhances your workflow and overall efficiency.

Consider and validate on warehouse utilizing space

After collecting all key information, the next crucial step in warehouse design is to measure and calculate the available space in all dimensions. This will allow for proper planning and space utilization. To maximize your warehouse's storage potential, you must meticulously plan the layout by considering about racking rows, forklift operating aisles, vertical space and dedicated zones.

Planning the warehouse layout

After measuring your warehouse space, the next step is to plan the layout. This is a critical phase where you will design the entire workflow to ensure maximum efficiency. Careful layout planning allows you to visualize the entire workflow before installation. This ensures that every element is in the right place to support a seamless operation. When planning, focus on these key areas such Racking Location, Forklift Operating Aisles, Dedicated Workstations that included pick-and-pack station, a drop-in/drop-off zone for incoming and outgoing goods, and a delivery station as well as Shuttle and Conveyor Routes.

Designing an Efficient Forklift Operation Workflow

Designing a well-planned workflow is crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency in your warehouse. A good design minimizes confusion and potential accidents. Straight Pathways, the best warehouse designs use straight pathways. This ensures traffic and material movement are consistent and straightforward, reducing confusion and the risk of collisions. Avoid excessive turns, as these create blind spots that can lead to accidents.

Allocating Space for Efficient Operations

Properly allocating space in a warehouse is crucial for a smooth and safe workflow. This involves more than just storing goods, it means creating a functional layout that supports every stage of your operation. By carefully planning these dedicated zones and ensuring proper aisle width, you can create a highly efficient warehouse that supports every step of your process.

Arranging Inventory by Turnover Rate (ABC Analysis)

Organizing your warehouse inventory based on turnover rate is essential for optimizing efficiency. A highly effective method for this is ABC Analysis, which categorizes products into three main groups.

Installing Adequate Lighting Systems

Proper lighting is a critical factor in both the efficiency and safety of a warehouse. According to the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the average light intensity in a warehouse must be at least 200 lux, with the least-lit area having no less than 100 lux. Sufficient lighting helps workers see clearly, reduces errors, and prevents accidents.

Installing Safety Signs and Symbols

The fast-paced environment of a warehouse can sometimes lead to carelessness or rule-breaking, such as driving in the wrong direction or failing to wear protective gear. Installing clear traffic signs and safety symbols throughout the warehouse is essential. These visual reminders can help prevent accidents by ensuring everyone stays vigilant and follows safety regulations.

Installing Emergency Response Systems

Unexpected events like electrical shorts or other accidents can happen at any time and lead to a fire. A well-designed warehouse must include emergency response systems to protect both assets and personnel. Essential systems include Emergency Exits, Alarm Systems and Smoke and Heat Detectors

Jungheinrich: Your Warehouse Solutions Partner

To guarantee a high-performance warehouse and streamlined workflow, partner with Jungheinrich. Our specialists provide comprehensive support, from initial design and planning to final installation and premium after-sales service. We offer a range of solutions tailored to your specific needs, including, Selective Racking Systems and Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) that can advanced automation to boost efficiency and elevate your warehouse performance.

Let our experts help you build a smarter, more efficient warehouse. For more information, please contact us.