Warehouse Efficiency Tips from Loading Dock Services Companies
Adopt a lean inventory
One of the most effective ways to improve productivity is by adopting a lean inventory. The premise behind this is simple: focus on what you need and nothing else. In doing so, you can reduce or completely get rid of safety stocks. You can also work on getting suppliers to deliver smaller quantities of items more frequently.
Maximize your available space
Instead of planning an expansion, consider making use of your vertical space. Add taller storage shelves and proper equipment to store and pick material. It keeps you in the same square footage, which eliminates the need for higher expansion costs.
Also, you need to think about the shelving used. Placing small items on pallet racks wastes valuable space and makes it easier to misplace them. And rather than using the same racks for all your items, try using a variety of shelving for different products to get the most out of your square footage.
Think about employee comfort
Employees are the backbone of any organization. Sometimes it can be easy to forget these people when you’re only focusing on the operations. Do little things to make your workplace more employee-friendly.
If your warehouse has cement floors, anti-fatigue mats should be placed where the people stand most of the time. If the work area is quiet, try playing music. Research has shown that music increases productivity. When it comes to controlling the climate, it is advised to get space heaters or fans for the employees.
Keep workstations organized
You can improve productivity by organizing workstations. This way, your workers won’t waste precious time searching for tools and equipment because they’re easy to find.
Helpful tip: implement the 5S Method that so many loading dock services companies use: Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. This strategy is designed to reduce errors, improve organization and safety, and avoid clutter in the work area.
Simplify processes to reduce costs and touches
Have you been following the same practices for so many years? If you want a better product and order flow, you might need to change things up. Take a fresh look at all the steps involved in the product flow and process of order fulfillment. Generally, fewer steps lead to fewer touches, which equates to reduced costs.
Improving warehouse productivity can be easy—as long as you have the right systems in place. It’s also important to have a loading dock services company you can trust to ensure smooth operations in your warehouse. By following these simple tips, you’ll increase your warehouse efficiency in no time.
TIPS FOR LOADING A MOVING TRUCK LIKE A PRO
FIND A PERFECT SIZED TRAILER BEFORE LOADING A MOVING TRUCK LIKE A PRO
You need to figure out this one! If you get it wrong you can end up having a small moving truck that won’t suit your need. Before you even begin loading a moving truck like a pro, you have to find the truck the appropriate size. Lack of space can lead to more moving costs. At this point, you surely don’t need that kind of stress and another minus on your budget. Go on the companies website and check out what kind of moving trucks they have. You can even call their customers service and get that information. Every moving company will give you such information, followed by how much and what kind of items you can load in. The best thing you can do is to give them a call. They can directly give answers to all of your questions. Don’t forget to ask if they have a loading dock. It is a good way to load big boxes as well as other big items.
TRY TO HAVE THE SAME SIZED BOXES
To pack a moving truck efficiently you need to have boxes that are approximately the same size. This is essential if you do not want to end up with some unused space. Now, there are several ways you can find boxes. Go around local grocery stores and ask them if they can give ones for free. Or, just go to home depot and buy new ones. Either way, you should focus on having the same sized boxes. Or at least boxes with similar size.
GATHER PACKING SUPPLIES
This is basically the step you need to make before anything. With proper packing supplies, you can save much-needed space as well as be sure your items are well protected. Loading a moving truck like a pro is easy when you have all items at hand.
DON’T LIFT HEAVY OBJECTS BY YOURSELF
The essential part of loading a moving truck like a pro is doing it properly. You may want to make sure not to get any injuries while loading. Remember, there are proper ways to do it. And never do it alone. Ask your friends for help or let the movers do it. This is a sure way to avoid moving injuries. If by any chance you strain your back, you must know the ways to treat back pain properly! Make sure you know about them just in case anything bad happens.
Find out what size truck rental you need
At least one month before the move, make sure to book the moving truck rental for the moving day. From small truck vans to larger 26-foot trucks, most truck rental companies offer a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. Whatever you do, try not to pick a truck that is too small for your things. While a smaller truck may be cheaper to rent, in the end, it will cost you extra time and money. For example, if a truck is too small to carry your belongings, you will have to make multiple trips back and forth. To make sure that you choose the right truck rental size for your next move, carefully read the recommendations for the size of the truck rental company.
Collect packing materials
Before packing a moving truck, be sure to collect all necessary packing materials. That includes sturdy boxes, plastic wrap, packing tape, trolley, furniture pads and moving blankets. Since your belongings may move during transport, it is especially important that all items are packed with proper protection. That can mean adding moving blankets and pads to fill the gaps between the boxes and things. Other necessary packaging materials that should be available include a mattress bag to cover your mattress and adjustable straps to hold items in place.
Disassemble furniture
Furniture items take up a lot of space on the truck. To save space, be sure to disassemble all pieces of furniture. This should help make more space in the truck, as well as distribute the weight of heavy furniture more evenly. For a start, you can disassemble the dining tables, removing the legs. That will allow you to store the dining table and its legs in an upright position on the truck. Next, disassemble all bed frames and headboards, as well as tables and dressers.
First load the biggest and heaviest items
Ready to start loading a moving truck like a pro? Start with the biggest and heaviest items first. This will include any mattresses, bed frames, tables, chairs, refrigerators, washers and dryers, sofas, sectional and coffee tables that you plan to move. Considering the weight and size of these items, they should be at the bottom of your moving truck so as not to crush or damage other boxes and things. Do not forget to also place heavier items in front of the truck.
How to Pack & Load a Moving Truck
Not sure how to pack a moving truck? From the positioning of furniture to the use of moving supplies, there are multiple ways to maximize your storage space in the back of the truck rental. Utilizing this space effectively and efficiently is sure to save you from making multiple trips back and forth between homes. In addition to maximizing space, those planning a DIY move without the help of moving labor professionals must know how to distribute the weight evenly in the back of the truck and how to incorporate certain tools to prevent damage to belongings. For a step-by-step guide to packing and loading a moving truck like a pro, read our tips below. Good luck and happy moving!
How to Pack a Moving Truck
Figure out what size truck rental you need
At least one month before the move, go ahead and reserve a truck rental for your moving date. From smaller cargo vans to larger 26 ft. trucks, most truck rental companies offer a plethora of shapes and sizes to choose from. Whatever you do though, try to avoid choosing a truck that is too small for your belongings. While a smaller truck may be cheaper to rent, it will only end up costing you extra time and money in the long run. For instance, if a truck is too small to hold your belongings, you’ll be forced to make multiple trips back and forth. To ensure that you choose the right size truck rental for your next move, read the truck rental company’s size guidelines carefully. When in doubt, call a truck rental representative for details on sizing. For more advice, read our guide to choosing the right size moving truck.
Gather packing supplies
Prior to packing a moving truck, be sure to gather all necessary packing supplies. This includes sturdy boxes, plastic wrap, packing tape, a dolly, furniture pads and moving blankets. Since your belongings may shift while in transit, it’s especially important that all items are packed with proper protection. This may mean adding moving blankets and padding to fill in the gaps between your boxes and belongings. Other important packing supplies to have on-hand include a mattress bag to cover your mattress and moving straps for holding items in place. To find moving boxes and supplies, visit Moving.com’s Box Center. We’ve partnered with UBoxes.com and UsedCardboardBoxes.com to help you buy the necessary moving boxes and packing supplies at great prices.
How To Load A Shipping Container
You may find this information useful when loading your container.
Inspect the container carefully before loading anything inside. Be sure there are no holes in the container BEFORE you allow the driver to leave.
Start with the large and heavy items like appliances and load them on the floor against the front wall of the container.
Continue loading heavier items on the floor and towards the front of the container, placing lighter items on top.
Place mattresses along the sides of the container but keep one to load at the rear of the container in front of the doors
Pack the items tightly so nothing moves. Work your way along in tiers loading from bottom to top. Look at the spaces in the tier and then go and look for an item to fill that space. Sometimes you can use an empty box, pillows, blankets or even soft toys to fill in the gaps.
Packing and loading the container well is the key to getting your shipment in good shape the other end.
Put a box of things you will need at destination at the back so you get it first off when unloading. Things in this box may include a few toys for the kids, a knife to help you unpack, tea bags, coffee mugs, glasses, a radio, cleaning material and gloves.
Boxes are easy to carry and easy to stack; pack as many items as you can into boxes. Try to use newer boxes; reused cartons are more likely to collapse during shipping.
When in doubt, put another layer of packing material around your items, better safe than sorry!
You might find it helpful to write the contents on the outside of each carton. When you reach your destination you will know where each carton goes.
Use blankets, bubble wrap and cardboard to protect items from rubbing against each other. Blankets, bubble wrap and cardboard can also be used to fill in any empty spaces. It is important that everything fits in snug and tight so that nothing shifts during the ocean transit.
If necessary you can tie items to the sides of the container with straps. There are rings spaced throughout the container on the ceiling and floor, you will need to provide your own straps.
The floor of the container is made of wood. Feel free to make your own wooden braces to secure items within the container. You do not want any empty space in the container or your goods will shift during shipping.
There are two loading strategies:
Option 1: ‘Floor Load’ the container, keeping everything low to the ground. If the floor of the container is covered goods will not be able to shift from side to side.
Option 2: Build a ‘bulkhead’. Load the container from floor to ceiling, and then build a wall to keep the goods from falling into the open space. You can build the wall using plywood sheeting and 4×4 wood.
