As your business grows, you will start looking for spaces to store your goods - or to manufacture them. Warehouses are a big undertaking, no matter how large or small it is. There are a lot of things that go into keeping your warehouse as an organised space. There are likely a couple of things you’ll need to do to your warehouse so that it is easy to work in. And while the organisation is essential, there are many other things you’ll need to ensure you are ready. Ahead of moving in your goods and team, check that you have the proper industrial drainage, toilets, somewhere to eat and more. The warehouse needs to be a comfortable place to work. If all of the bare bones of the warehouse are ready, then organisation is the most important thing you can consider. 

Keep your warehouse a place that only ever has precisely what is needed. Lean inventory means never having more products than you need. In order to do that, you’ll need to overhaul your delivery sizes or carefully consider your safety stocks. Keeping a lean mindset will mean you never have more than you need - and won’t be using up vital storage space. 

Keeping your warehouse clean isn’t just about cleanliness. A clean warehouse is essential for the safety and preservation of your goods. At least two hours per week should be dedicated to a deep cleaning of the warehouse. And each day there should be some dedicated to cleaning too. Cleaning means there are less likely to be trips, slips or falls, or damage to the goods. 

Before you can utilise the space correctly, you need to understand how you are currently using it. You’ll need to watch your team move around the warehouse floor or pay attention to how you do it. You’ll soon see where things should be placed and what will give you a smoother flow around the space. Start to make notes and start to implement them.

Stackable bins can be one of the most beneficial ways to store plenty of small items. These could be parts for making on-site or smaller products. The trick to using stackable bins well is making sure that you have the items inside them well organised, too (where possible). Stackable bins come in many sizes so that they can be stacked on shipping desks and more. 

The two things you can do to fix the issue is one training your staff and the tools and systems in place to make sure all of the practices are adhered to. Training doesn’t have to be lengthy; a quick refresh of the protocols every few months. The most important thing to do is make sure that everything is easy! Keeping your warehouse organised and clean is one of the best ways to make sure that you get the most from the space. Sounds good? Here are some more tips to help you get the most out of your warehouse: Is Your Warehouse Efficient Enough?