WINNING WAREHOUSES, DISTRIBUTION CENTRES AND 3PL'S: WHAT MAKES THEM SUCCESSFUL?
June 30, 2021
Distribution centres, fulfillment centres plus private and public warehouses are all key factors in supply chain management.
Simply put, all warehousing includes:
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Inbound logistics
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Storage of goods
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Outbound logistics
So what makes puts one warehousing operation ahead of another?
The best racking and material handling equipment on the market? That helps, but there’s more to it than that.
It's the People.
We’ve worked with a lot of remarkable warehousing companies and warehouse managers over time. They all have a winning mindset.
And some qualities surface repeatedly:
1) Organized
This warehouse manager knows that a safe and efficient operation must have systems that work.
A clean, clutter-free warehouse welcomes workers and customers.The floor-plan is designed to keep the flow of goods moving.
Ample racking ensures that the aisles are clear at all times.
2) Big picture
Most of the winning leaders we know have the ability to take a bird’s eye view of their organization or whatever part of it they’re responsible for.
They quickly see what is working well – and what is not. Their whole distribution centre or warehouse runs like well-oiled machinery.
Managers like this might opt for a full, turnkey project, but sometimes improvements are best done incrementally. For large projects the scope of work can be divided into segments – a good strategy to avoid downtime.
3) Detailed orientated
Up-to-date 3PL’s and warehouses track data constantly in order to make informed decisions. Strategies are developed that result in continuous improvement to systems and processes.
They can see what needs to stop, start, or be improved on.
4) Safety conscious
People matter.
Preventable fatal injuries
Statistics show that 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada for 2019. Source: The Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada
In 2019, warehousing came in 3rd for preventable fatal injuries in Canada.
Preventable is the key word there.
Warehouse safety doesn’t just happen. Someone has to take ownership of the cause. Someone who understands that human life is irreplaceable.
A winner who will never cut corners at the expense of safety.
5) Continuous improvement
And finally, we have the personality who wants nothing less than continuous improvement. He or she is never satisfied with the status quo. They know that processes can always be improved.
So what category are you in?
If one or more of these groupings sounds like you, we’d love to partner with you on your project.
Give us a call: 1-800-465-3695
Or just hit the button below, and leave your email. We’ll get back to you pronto!