Day: May 9, 2018

When it comes to warehouses, lean and mean is the order of the day. Faced with flat or negative growth, supply chain executives are turning to updated material handling equipment and other strategies to reduce labor costs while maintaining high levels of customer service.

Here is the conclusion of our two-part look at effective tips to improve order picking efficiency.

How to Maximize Order Picking Productivity

Set Up “Hot Zones”

In an earlier tip, we talked about the importance of reducing the amount of time it takes order pickers to travel through the warehouse. One way to do that is to set up “hot zones” where higher-velocity items are concentrated.

Some companies find it useful to implement an ABC analysis that assigns items to one of three categories based on velocity. Another option is to widen the aisles where the higher-velocity items are located to prevent congestion from multiple order pickers.

Use Appropriate Storage Media

Warehouse efficiency can be measured by the number of times an item is handled from the time it arrives until the time it leaves. That rate goes up when product is stored in the wrong media, such as when slow-moving SKUs are slotted in pallet racks.

Cube movement velocity is calculated by movement in units times cubic dimensions. Use this metric to determine the optimum storage medium for each SKU.

Quality Material Handling Equipment for All Applications

Our battery-powered material handling equipment lets a single worker safely and quickly move loads weighing thousands of pounds. We have a full line of tugs, pushers and movers, including models that can accommodate awkward loads such as drums and carpet rolls.

Visit our website to learn more from a helpful member of our sales engineer team.

In order to stay competitive and counteract flat sales, supply chain executives are being tasked with reducing labor costs while customers are ordering more frequently in smaller quantities. State-of-the-art material handling equipment is a start, but what’s the rest of the solution?

How to Maximize Order Picking Productivity

A majority of your workforce is involved in order picking, so that’s a logical place to look for areas of improvement. Here are some valuable tips for improving order picking efficiency.

One SKU per Pick Location

Each SKU should have its own individual pick location. The importance of this principle can’t be overstated. Studies show that multiple SKUs at one location can add 15 seconds per transaction.

Some warehouses slot as many as 10 SKUs in one bin location. Not only does this practice add time to the order picking process, it increases the chances of mispicks.

Implement Batch and Cluster Processes

At least half the time of an order picking job is spent in travel. With the average order coming in smaller quantities, this is a perfect opportunity to combine multiple orders that can be completed in a single pick cycle.

Pick Horizontally, Not Vertically

It’s a time-tested fact that it costs more to pick vertically than horizontally. Ideally, all pick facings should be at ground level.

Are you constrained by the dimensions of your warehouse? Wherever possible, slot the highest-velocity items at ground level and proceed vertically from lowest to highest.

Optimize Labor with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Inferior material handling equipment in the warehouse can reduce both productivity and employee morale. Our best-selling CartCaddyLite and other electric tugs, pushers and movers are like adding another worker to the team.

Call 800.686.2651 for more information.