10 list of ways warehouses can drive more efficient and productive warehouse operations:

Consider Automation
Boston Consulting Group research shows 1.2 million robots are expected to be deployed across
manufacturing facilities in the U.S. by the year 2025. Why? Not only can robotic automation help
manufacturers achieve greater warehouse productivity, but it can also drive significant cost savings as
compared to employing workers.

Optimize Labor Productivity

Whether through automation, employee incentives, or any other means, optimizing labor productivity
should be the cornerstone of any warehouse improvement effort. Since labor tends to be the largest
cost factor in warehousing and order picking operations, its critical for organizations to understand
production rates.

Maximize Vertical Space

On the production floor, where space can be limited, its important to take advantage of every inch of
available space (floor to ceiling). As noted in an Occupational Health & Safety article, solutions such
as pallet racking can lead to safer working conditions as well as increased efficiency in the
warehouse. Pallet racking, the most common way of storing pallet loads in the world, is an easy-touse storage solution; its used in the vast majority of warehouses, manufacturing facilities, commercial
warehouse operations, and even retail stores.

Create Organized Workstations

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports that musculoskeletal disorders
(carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, muscle strains, lower back injuries, etc.) are one of the leading
causes of workplace injuries and illnesses. To reduce the risk of such injuries in repetitive, manual
tasks, its important to design workstations according to the specific task and worker (for example,
ensuring work surface height is the height of the conveyor or roller from floor level). Doing so
increases ergonomic benefits and drives greater efficiency and productivity in everyday work.

Analyze Picking Methodology

As with ergonomic considerations (i.e., designing the workstation to suit the particular work being
done), its also important to determine whether the current picking methodology appropriately suits the
organization. Making the right order picking choices directly impacts supply chain productivity, so its
not something to be taken lightly.

Implement Lean Manufacturing

Most manufacturing facilities are trending toward 5S/lean manufacturing as part of their efforts to
improve manufacturing processes, enabling quicker, more efficient production and lowering overall
costs. According to the EPA, lean production techniques often create a culture of continuous
improvement, employee empowerment, and waste minimization [in addition to] driving rapid, continual
improvement in cost, quality, service, and delivery.

Take Advantage of Technology Options

With the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) becoming increasingly pervasive in the manufacturing
sector, the challenge then becomes: How can organizations leverage these technological innovations
to stay one step ahead of the competition? Accenture predicts the value created by the IIoT could
reach as high as $15 trillion by 2030, paving the way for more efficient, productive, and intelligent
industrial warehouse operations.

Faster Part & Tool Retrieval

Faster part and tool retrieval is a key component of achieving greater organization and efficiency in the
fulfillment process. Automated storage and retrieval systems can, for example, increase picking
accuracy while yielding better inventory control. Additional benefits to these types of systems include
better operator safety, increased labor productivity, and improved floor space utilization.

Evaluate Storage Equipment

One of the most important parts of evaluating industrial storage equipment is factoring in how storage
systems can/will evolve with a facilitys needs over time. Performing a thorough assessment of
current and future warehouse storage needs can improve storage density and picker productivity and
drive significant cost savings over the long term.

Focus on Continuous Process Improvement

When all is said and done, perhaps the best way to drive productivity and efficiency in the warehouse
is to keep an eye on continuous process improvement. Successful manufacturers dont just focus on
short-term goals; they set objectives and accountability for improvement, review their progress, and
start over time and time again.
Final Thoughts
Any warehouse with an eye toward process improvement should be evaluating existing warehouse
operations and looking for ways to drive increased efficiency constantly. The above list represents
our top 10 places to start. What would be on your checklist for ways to streamline warehouse
operations and achieve better results?