Warehouse Design Tips, Zones, Racking Systems, and More

When you have a business that requires vast loads of deliverables and receivables for supplies and distribution, it’s only right that you have a warehouse racking layout that suits your business’s requirements. Although each business will have different needs, some warehouse racking ideas fit most warehouse scenarios.

Essentially, each warehouse will need to have a picking, packing, and dispatch zone. Besides that, it also needs to have a racking, storage, reception, and receivable zone. These factors can seem pretty overwhelming and quite challenging to integrate into your design, right?

So besides working with the right contractors and credible racking system and storage experts, we’ve gathered some of the expert-approved tips that will help you design a functional layout for your warehouse. Let’s take a look!

Tip #1: Plan Your Picking Zone within your Warehouse Design

All warehouses will require a separate picking zone because this is where all order preparation takes place. Ideally, you want to place your picking zone inside or beside the racking system and shelving areas. This can help boost your team’s efficiency, so they don’t have to scour through the inventory for other items, and products will be within reach.

Big shot warehouses, like Amazon, have an incredibly efficient picking zone since they integrate conveyors and order pickers, making it an efficient space for high-volume orders.

Tip #2: Dedicate a Zone for Packing and Dispatch

In the packing and dispatch zone, all packaging and shipment preparation happens in this space before leaving the warehouse. Although some warehouses won’t require this, it’s still good to have a holding area for your items where you can put them before dispatch.

If you have a packing and dispatch zone, the best way to optimise its performance is by having warehouse racking and storage optimisation. If you partner with a racking company, they can provide you with efficient solutions that will help boost product movement and inventory.

Tip #3: Consider Your Racking System’s Layout Design

When designing your racking system, it’s best to have expert suppliers handle the job. This way, you can figure out efficient and effective smart storage solutions with function, allowing you to easily store goods.

You’ll most often find stacking as a common storage method in a warehouse, but this is not the best option in various situations. However, if you need to get items consistently for the fulfilment, it’s best to use dynamic storage or forward picker since it integrates different types of racking systems to reduce overall pick time.

Tip #4: Plan Your Warehouse Reception and Receivables Zone

Your warehouse must have a reception zone because this is where your team can inspect the goods that arrived in the warehouse. Here, you can begin quality control of the goods and start sorting your stock.

For your receivables, this zone is often with the dispatch zone in your warehouse. This provides an easy access point, allowing trucks to connect to the building and unload the inventory to the warehouse and vice versa.

The Bottom Line: An Efficient Warehouse Design Can Boost Your Team’s Productivity Ten-Fold

Much like having a solid and curated work area, having a well-designed warehouse can help boost your team’s efficiency. By considering all the zones you need, and by working with a trusted manufacturer for your racking system and storage solutions, you’ll get to receive, fulfil, and dispatch all orders with ease.

How Can We Help You?

Are you looking for manufacturers who could help you build a practical and functional racking system? If so, 3JC is here to help.

We have become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of new and used pallet racking, industrial shelving, and plastic storage solutions. With our help, we can elevate your warehouse system and improve your team’s efficiency.

Learn more about how we can help you today!