4 Ways to Save on Warehousing Expenses

Warehousing is the backbone of all economic movement, providing the staging grounds for goods to move from place to place. Much like an airport or bus station for people, the pace of movement and ease of use in each warehouse determines its effectiveness. Here are 4 quick ways to work towards a more affordable, efficient warehouse.

Optimize Inventory by Dimension Specs

Aisle width, forklift dimension, and load capacity are three major factors that will determine the type of machinery you use to place & extract storage in your warehouse. Throughout history both in small projects and massive public works, a tiny misjudgment can lead to a multi-million dollar loss. Mitigate inefficiencies by knowing what you’re carrying and what it’ll take to move every piece of your inventory, then organize your warehouse accordingly.

Avoid Overpaying for WMS Software

It’s not rare to find warehouse manager so firmly entrenched in decades of experiences, that it’s easy to bypass ongoing innovation. Having a proper WMS (warehouse management software) that serves your needs without overcharging for excessive services is a key way to ensure maximum oversight at a lower expense. Far too often SaaS (software-as-a-service) companies charge massive monthly retainers with many unneeded and irremovable services passed onto the consumer. Why pay for 12 services when you need 4?

Purchase Used When Able

Whether it be forklifts, pallet racks, steel bins, totes, drums, or whatever else, many of these industrial products are built to last. Sales on nonperishable warehouse inventory, especially that made from simple steel (non-machinery) can be bought for savings of up to 40% and free up future budgeting for additional improvements better spent than on basic storage and equipment.

Audit your Power Usage

This is especially important during the summer and winter months. Warehouses often provide large open corridors for wind flow, large open docking bays, and high ceilings. Proper insulation can keep your workers comfortable and your power bill down. The way your warehouse is organized can also make a major difference in overall weatherproofing, as can the presence of windows or doors left open unnecessarily. Something as simple as preventing air leaks and optimizing lighting for greater efficiency can save thousands per year.