The number of businesses within the UK operating from warehouse facilities is growing steadily. For example, a recent report found that “between 2008 and 2017, the number of warehouse and storage enterprises in the UK increased from under three thousand to close to six thousand.” 

With this growth, however, comes greater competition. That is, other companies within your industry may have better or faster-moving production lines or enhanced technology that eliminates inefficiencies. As such, it's important that you remain on top of your game when managing a warehouse.

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to take your warehouse to the next level in 2023!

Invest in your facility. 

Growth is often facilitated through investment into the company - whether that be into new materials or equipment. As such, the start of the year is the perfect time to invest in your business set-up so that you can enjoy the benefits 

throughout the year. 

For example, you can enhance safety and security protocols by installing new PVC curtains. They will also serve as an additional protective barrier when specialised work is being carried out! You can also use this as an opportunity to invest in innovative and time-consuming technology.

Make safety your focus. 

As mentioned above, some of the most influential changes you can make within your business are those that are made in the name of safety. There are varying reasons for this. For example, when you improve safety in your warehouse, you’re creating a better working environment for every member of your team. You’re also reducing the chances of mistakes occurring that could not only threaten your business, but the health and safety of your staff and clients. 

Rethinking your training program. 

Onboarding training is essential within a warehouse or factory environment, especially if employees will be using specialist/hazardous equipment. However, training also makes for more competent workers, which means that you should provide your employees with consistent, ongoing training throughout their time with your company. This means that they continue to develop and hone new skills, which can boost efficiency and increase productivity in the workplace. To put it simply, training is not just a box to tick during the onboarding process. 

Figure out what mistakes you are making. 

Even the most successful businesses make mistakes from time to time. However, what sets them apart from their competitors is their ability to zone in on this mistake and resolve it before it happens twice. As a result, if you’re looking to take your warehouse facility to the next level in 2023, try to focus on what you may be doing wrong. What areas of your business are haemorrhaging money? And what can you do to recoup this?

For example, “warehouses should have a robust warehouse management system (WMS) that integrates things like inventory management and tracking, order fulfilment, shipping, receiving, reverse logistics, and more.” Failure to do so means you’re making a tonne of mistakes when it comes to managing your inventory! 

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