Managing
a warehouse holding large quantities of inventory, worth millions of Rands day
after day, is no easy feat. A warehouse manager’s job is riddled with daily
challenges that can make life a little tricky. Weighing high on the scale
of challenges is damaged warehouse inventory, a problem which is difficult to
avoid, taking into account all the movement required within the warehouse
process. This can have a negative effect on order fulfilment and achieving
service level agreements. Below
are a few tips which will help you keep your warehouse inventory levels to a
bare minimum:
Regular upkeep
Frequent
inspection and review of how organised a warehouse is can lead to increased
productivity, reducing inventory loss and injury. Neglecting regular upkeep can
result in an orderly warehouse fast becoming disorganised and increases the
likelihood of inventory damage.
Be mindful of weight and shape
It
is common for inventory to sustain damage while stored on shelving, be it from
careless handling while storing, or from harsh contact with material handling
equipment. When designing racking it is important to be mindful of weight and
shape. Racking that does not correspond with the products stored in it can
result in overhanging inventory which can easily be damaged or cause
injury.
Offer protection for your
racking
Racking
protection in crucial areas is an essential part of preventing inventory
damage. Column protectors for example are necessary in spaces where vehicles
often travel. Rack guards, aisle shields, and pallet supports can also offer
protection against damage.
Prepare for Capacity
It
is extremely important to plan for capacity as it assists in preventing the
ordering of too much inventory. Excess inventory in the warehouse can greatly
increase the chances of damage, inventory variances and theft.
Build a Safety Culture
The
number one cause of inventory damage is said to be lack of training. Training
warehouse staff on the correct way of handling pallets using forklifts, and
labelling perishable and non-perishable goods, etc., can reduce product damage.
While
damaged warehouse inventory is unavoidable to some extent, it can be overcome.
Inventory management techniques and processes, make it possible to maintain
damaged warehouse inventory levels at a bare minimum.
Contributed by the team at Barloworld
Logistics