Maximize Cubic Space in the Warehouse

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Just as every snowflake and fingerprint are unique, so is every warehouse.  Even though, in the broadest sense, almost all product distributors perform the tasks of receiving, storing, picking, packing and shipping, there are an infinite number of variables that impact the characteristics of the operations thereby rendering each warehouse or distribution center distinctive. Building shapes, locations and numbers of dock doors, building column spacing, beam or joist clear heights are only some of the physical constraints that the facility itself can place upon us when designing the material handling system and the associated operational work flow.  Added to these constraints are the unique order profile the distributor typically fulfills, which might even have one or more seasons during the year looking different than the rest of the time.  Further complicating matters might also be the various sales channels, either consumer direct through an ecommerce or phone order platform that requires parcel shipments, or through retail stores using a dedicated fleet of trucks, or finally, through a wholesale network which might require either parcel, LTL shipments or dedicated truckload shipments.  Furthermore, and probably most influential, are the physical characteristics of the inventory and the load type in which they are received, stored and shipped (by pallet, case or the item itself).  Because there isn't one size to fit all distributors, nor is there an all-encompassing software program that can return the optimal warehouse design, the solution to maximizing the cubic space with material handling systems in order to reduce labor costs, expand distribution capacity and improve quality typically requires a lot of data, some institutional knowledge, and most importantly, a defined process.

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To view the full white paper by JJ Phelan, P.E. of TriFactor, LLC, please visit http://www.trifactor.com/Material-Handling-White-Papers/Maximizing-Cubic-Space-In-The-Warehouse  For other TriFactor white papers, articles or our newsletter, please visit the TriFactor Learning Center at http://www.trifactor.com/TriFactor-Learning-Center.  

About TriFactor

TriFactor is a material handling systems integrator that specializes in the design and implementation of conveyor systems, storage systems, and order picking, packing, and shipping systems for warehouses and distribution centers.  For more information about TriFactor please visit www.trifactor.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-282-8468. 

SOURCE TriFactor