Cleaning up your warehouse: a fresh start
A tidy warehouse is the foundation of a pleasant workplace and an efficient logistics process. But over time, things can get a bit messy, especially after a busy season. That’s why we recommend doing a deep clean so you can get back to working as efficiently as possible. In this blog, we’ll share how to approach it and what to keep in mind.
Counting your stock
Even if you always keep your inventory up to date, discrepancies can still occur. After all, people make mistakes. A deep clean is the perfect moment to double-check the stock of every product. This helps you avoid selling items you don’t actually have, and you might even find products you thought were out of stock.
To make counting easier, use the Picqer app. It allows you to check inventory levels for each product at any location.
Product locations
To stay organized, it’s essential that all products are assigned a location. Items from purchase orders should be given a location in your warehouse as soon as possible. If that didn’t happen during busy times, the cleanup is your chance to catch up.
In addition to assigning locations, it can also be helpful to remove certain products. For example, if a product hasn’t sold in a long time, it may be time to say goodbye. This frees up shelf space and keeps your focus on your most important products. It also helps tidy up your webshop by making the offering more focused and clear for customers.
You should store your fast-moving products as close to the packing table as possible. To identify these, run an ABC analysis in Picqer. Place A-label products nearest to the packing area, B-label products slightly further away, and C-label products in the remaining spots.
The packing table
A lot of important work happens at the packing tables. That’s why it’s especially important that everything there runs smoothly. Start by checking the hardware. Does the computer need a cleanup to run faster? Are the printers and barcode scanners working without delays? Maybe it’s time to replace a device to save time in the long run.
You’ll work more comfortably with good tools. Are there dull blades or broken tape rollers cluttering the space? Throw them out and replace them. Only keep essential tools on the table, but make sure you have enough supplies for when something breaks or wears out. The tidier it is, the easier it is to find what you need.
Also ask your team if they experience any limitations or small annoyances. Maybe someone’s sleeve keeps getting caught on the table edge, or the music isn’t audible in certain areas.
Warehouse layout
Every day, a lot of steps are taken through the warehouse. You want pickers to move freely without obstacles. So start by removing anything that’s in the way to ensure clear walkways.
Check if all location labels are still easy to read. Labels can fade over time, especially from sun exposure. It might even be a good idea to mark aisles and shelves differently for better clarity.
Have you added new shelving recently? Then take a moment to review whether your layout still makes sense. A better layout could create a more efficient picking route.
Also check if all your packing materials, like boxes and envelopes, are still in use. Maybe you no longer need that one box size, and removing it will free up space.
Lastly, check the lighting. Is every area well lit? Poor lighting can lead to mistakes, irritation and slower work.
Final thoughts
A deep clean is the perfect time to give everything a good wipe so you can enjoy a fresh and clean warehouse.
And look beyond the present. What kind of growth do you expect in the near future? Should you already start adding extra shelving so that you can keep up and always have space for new products?
Review everything critically and plan with the future in mind. That way, everyone can work efficiently and happily throughout the rest of the year.
