Warehouse packaging is sometimes overlooked by business owners, especially when they first move into the buildings. However, better warehouse packaging can have multiple benefits, and here are a few of the best.
In This Article:
Limits Damage
First off, no matter which industry you are in or how careful you are, mistakes can happen that lead to damaged or unusable goods. However, better warehouse packaging can not only limit this damage but also potentially eliminate it completely.
For example, reinforced box walls can lessen the effects of damage caused when the box is crushed, and interior cushioning can protect your goods if the box is dropped or slides around during transport.
Faster Packing Time
When you improve your warehouse packaging, you can speed up several processes, such as packing time. Standard packaging allows for faster decision-making, as employees don’t have to guess which type of box is needed.
It can also enable automation, as it is easier to set up an automatic boxing system when you are dealing with packaging that all have the same shape and dimensions.
Improved Warehouse Mobility
One smaller benefit of having standardized and improved packaging is that it allows for better warehouse mobility. When you have packages of varying sizes stacked everywhere, you eventually end up with some areas of your warehouse that are harder to reach.
However, when packaging is standard and can be stacked safely, it is easier to create lanes and routes to every corner of your warehouse. Think of it like a grocery store, it would be harder to navigate if everything were just stacked and grouped randomly, as opposed to being in aisles.
Space-Saving
Another great benefit of improved warehouse packaging is the space you can save. Standardized warehouse packaging can be stacked and moved easily, meaning you don’t have to spread goods around because you are worried about falls.
This not only means you can fit more product in your warehouse, but also gives you the opportunity to downgrade the size and save money if you need to. On the other end of the spectrum, standardized packaging can also help you utilize minimal space better.
If you are on the opposite end of the spectrum and have a warehouse that is too small, being able to use every inch of space safely and efficiently can help increase profit and turnaround times, as you are able to store more.
Reduced Picking Errors
Another common problem in a warehouse are errors when picking orders. Most of the time, it comes down to something not being in the right place, products getting mixed up, or a simple user error, which can happen to anyone.
When using standardized packaging, items are easier to find, and SKUs are easier to differentiate, meaning you may not cut picking errors out completely, but you can most definitely minimize them, and make them easier to correct.
Improved Worker Safety
As mentioned already, stacking goods several meters in the air can be dangerous, especially when workers are operating around them, trying to get something out from behind them, or just simply knocking a stack by accident. The main issue is that injury severity is very unpredictable, as a stack bumping someone can have a very different outcome to a singular box landing on someone’s head.
When packaging is standardized and can be stacked better, it is also safer and safer to work around. Plastic cups that slot into one another are less likely to fall than a stack made up of cups of different sizes and shapes.
Increased Efficiency
When you all combine all the factors listed above, you end up with a warehouse operation that is far more efficient. Less time picking and finding products, easier to move products, easier to move around the warehouse, etc.
This efficiency then leaks into shipping times, as you spend less time organizing and packing boxes into trucks, meaning they can leave sooner, with more packages, and get your product into the hands of customers quicker.
Reduced Storage Costs
Finally, you can quickly reduce storage costs by being more efficient with your packaging. This may not be a big issue if you already own the warehouse; however, if you are renting multiple spaces in the same industrial complex, for example, being able to write one off can make a massive difference.
Environmental Impact
When you opt for smarter packaging choices, you can and will also do your bit for the environment. There will be less waste, improved void-fill usage, and a smaller carbon footprint, as better packaging leads to better truckload fill, which then leads to fewer truck journeys.
While this may not be the primary goal for many companies, it is a valuable side effect that can be continually improved.
In conclusion, better warehouse packaging can have substantial benefits, both big and small, no matter which industry you are in. It can save you time and money, protect your employees’ health and wellness, and help the environment with barely any effort.
