Discover the current trends that are reshaping warehousing, what advantages they might offer, and how you might be able to improve warehousing efficiency.
Increased sustainability
More and more consumers are becoming eco-conscious and as the effects of climate change become more evident, more will follow. Being able to boast to potential customers that, as a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME), you’ve enacted steps to maximize environmental sustainability in all phases of your business is a big plus. We often focus on manufacturing and shipping when it comes to the environmental impacts of business, but storage and warehousing can also produce a considerable environmental impact. Practices you can pursue include using more biodegradable packaging, less packaging in total, utilizing software to provide more efficient climate control, and increasing efficiency in inventory so you produce less waste and don’t need to store more product than necessary.
New approaches to staffing
Many warehouses around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Europe, are struggling with staffing shortages at the moment. This might be because they’re still trying to refill positions they vacated with pandemic-era layoffs, or because of the so-called “Great Resignation” that’s caused workers to become pickier about their employment, or because a substantial number of warehouse workers have sadly died during the pandemic. Whatever the cause in a specific region, companies are having to work harder to get their warehouses fully staffed.
One tried-and-true method is to simply increase pay. In addition to this, offering attractive benefits packages and more comprehensive training that enables staff to improve transferable skills can also solve staffing shortages. While many executives might be keen to try to automate more of their warehouse operations, automation is unlikely to provide a short-term solution.
Increased WMS use
WMS stands for warehouse management system. These are technological solutions that can increase the efficiency of warehouse operations. These might include inventory software, conveyors, and automated sorting systems. Investing in WMS can provide short-term and long-term benefits.
Improved communication with drivers
Supply chain shortages have contributed to a remarkable 250% increase in out-of-stocks in the US. Poor communication between distributors and manufacturers often exacerbates the problem, as inventory is prone to shrinkage and inaccurate counting while moving down the supply chain. Digitized data sharing through mobile devices and applications helps warehouse teams communicate about quantities shipped and their location. This can greatly reduce replenishment errors and stock depletion.
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