Searching for a warehouse can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to all the important factors you need to consider.
You probably have very specific warehousing needs for your business, and it can be difficult to get past all the complicated lingo and sales pitches to find just what space is a good fit for you and your business when you’re selecting a warehouse.
So, based on our experience, we thought we’d save you some stress.
Here, in no particular order, are some of the most important things you should think about when selecting a warehouse.
What to consider when searching for a warehouse
1. How old is the building?
The secret to a good warehouse is to choose a facility that balances both old and new.
A perfect property will have weathered the test of time, while also embracing modern technology to make things flow efficiently.
- Too old and the building can be an antiquated relic
- Too new and it can mean there are still teething problems
So somewhere in-between is just about ideal.
2. How big is the building?
It is vital that you compare the size of the facility you are looking and take into account the amount of employees that work for you.
This is so you can ensure it is a good fit for the kind of operation you run.
- Too much space and the move will not be cost effective
- Too little room for manoeuvre and your productivity could be hampered
Which will ultimately have an impact on your customers.
3. What is the layout like?
It’s essential to inspect the building plans thoroughly before making a decision to determine if your layout will fit within the given space.
- Older structures often lack the necessary space for modern material flow
Large columns and ceiling heights can often limit the goods and stock that will fit in a given space and can affect the flow of materials in, and orders going out.
4. Is the location right?
Buying a warehouse in a remote area may cost less, but it can come at a cost.
You need to think about things like what is the predominate mode of transportation of your goods? Is it rail, road, air, or sea?
As much as 20% of your costs can come from transportation costs, so you need to be sure you are ideally placed for your preferred mode of haulage.
You also need to remember things like:
- Ease of accessibility for your staff and customers
If you regularly send your goods by sea, being 50 miles from the coast will significantly add to your outgoings.
Searching for a warehouse in the middle of nowhere could eventually lead to your business being left in the wilderness.
Remember:
- Location, location, location
5. What technology can it support?
You need to ask yourself a few key questions about your new warehouse.
Such as:
- What type of Warehouse Management System can it support?
- What type of handling equipment is it suitable for?
It may be that you need to find a Warehouse Management System with more advanced sorting systems to minimize human error when picking, loading and dispatching.
Also you’ll need to think about one that can provide regular reporting that you can access at any time, from any location.
Put simply. It’s not just the building you are investing in, it’s what goes inside and how that can benefit your business.
Conclusion
When you’ve found the right warehouse, you need the right Warehouse Management System too.
Whether you’ve just moved into your first warehouse or your fifth, Optima WMS will meet your needs.
Why not see how it can improve your productivity and efficiency, and help you save time and money?
Contact us us now at 01270 500777 and tell us what you need your new Optima WMS to do.
