Your choice of fulfillment center is a central part of any successful business. It is responsible for safely receiving, organizing, and shipping products to your eagerly-waiting customers. Whether you’re running your own fulfillment center or outsourcing to a first-class 3PL like Texas Logistics & Fulfillment Services, it’s essential to know some of the best practices of a fulfillment center.
This article will outline some of the best practices for fulfillment centers. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to running a smooth and efficient operation.
Workplace Incentives
It is essential to treat your fulfillment center employees well and recognize their efforts whenever possible. A worker who is allowed to savor the fruits of their labor will be more motivated and will take more initiative in the workplace. Through incentives like annual bonuses and company celebrations, you are sure to see an all-around improvement in efficiency.
As the old saying goes, “A happy worker is a productive worker.”
Efficient Picking Routes
This best practice is relatively self-evident. Instead of sending order pickers back and forth and all around the fulfillment center, they should have routes pre-planned for efficiency.
By streamlining this process, you’ll:
- Reduce the amount of time wasted from improper pathing.
- See an improvement in order turnaround.
- More efficiently use your labor power.
Automatic Data Collection
Automation is the way of the world nowadays. There have been massive advancements in automated data collection since the turn of the century. As such, collecting, writing, and transferring this data by hand is not only highly inefficient but mostly obsolete. Even with the assistance of fast computers and sleek keyboards, automated systems will always be the safest, most efficient method of data collection. With help from technology like RF barcode scanners and other RFID systems, your data will be more accurately and quickly obtained.
Hands-Free Technology
In conjunction with the previous best practice, modern non-data-collecting technology is also important to further increase your fulfillment center’s efficiency. Voice-activated software and hands-free technology will vastly accelerate picking, packing, and other fulfillment processes.
Waste Minimization
Cutting out excess waste is essential to any industry; it’s even a great practice to bring into your personal life.
Fulfillment center waste is seen as the following:
Waiting
Waiting waste is simply the excess, unnecessary time between steps and processes.
Knowledge
Knowledge waste is when your employee’s talents, skills, and knowledge are underutilized.
Motion
Motion waste relates to the unnecessary movement of employees and other people.
Transportation
Transportation waste — similar to motion waste— is the unnecessary movement of materials and products.
Excess Inventory
Excess inventory relates to products and materials that are not being processed nor will be in the near future.
Defective Goods
Defective goods are any products or materials that are scrapped or broken in some manner during the fulfillment process.
Over-processing
Over-processing is excess work than what is required to satisfy the customer.
Overproduction
Simply enough, overproduction produces more than what is needed or produces it too early before it’s needed.
Each of these fulfillment center wastes creates a slew of inefficiencies. Leaving these inefficiencies unaddressed is bound to cause business troubles down the line.
Create Multiple Lines Of Communication
In all aspects of life, communication is absolutely essential. This is equally as true when it comes to a 3PLs fulfillment center. Creating multiple channels of communication keeps information moving between departments and co-workers. These channels can be phone calls, radio communication, text message, or any number of other choices. A good supply chain needs good communication. With these lines of communication open, employees are able to address any pop-up issues better. They’re also better equipped to handle their day-to-day tasks in general.
Invest In Comprehensive Training
It shouldn’t have to be said, but one of the most important things a fulfillment center can do is train its employees. Technology is only as effective as the person handling it. Employees should be highly-trained in their respective departments while also being given an understanding of everything else that goes on within the warehouse. The benefits of highly-skilled and efficient staff mitigate the cost of comprehensive training.
Minimize Contact
Like the previous “efficient picking routes” section, this one involves cutting back on any and all unnecessary steps. Every extra step that is taken out of the process makes it faster and more efficient. It also reduces the chance of any mistakes or accidents that could slow it down.
There is no downside to improving how streamlined your fulfillment processes are. It’s also an effective way to further cut out any unnecessary costs.
Ship Simultaneously
Scheduling your shipments to arrive simultaneously can alleviate a ton of excess work. By streamlining shipments, you can save your staff from tedious and unnecessary setups and breakdowns around the loading dock. This will not only save you time but will also be of great benefit to your fulfillment center’s overall efficiency.
Re-evaluate again and again.
In this business, things are constantly moving, shifting, and changing. Fulfillment centers are an ever-changing landscape that requires constant attention and re-evaluation. You should never remain complacent because you’ve made a handful of improvements. What was functioning before may no longer work in a few months. If you’re not looking ahead and sufficiently fine-tuning your operation as you go, you may fall behind the competition.
Choose Texas Logistics & Fulfillment Services
So if you’re looking for a 3PL that meets and exceeds these best practices, look no further than Texas Logistics & Fulfillment Services. Far too many businesses rely on shady or poorly run fulfillment centers that create nothing but stress on you and your business. When you choose us, you’re freeing yourself from those worries and allowing yourself to go back to running your business how you want to.
Now that you know more about the best practices of a top-notch fulfillment center— and that we’re the best 3PL around— it’s time to give us a call at 832-955-5334. If you have any more questions or would like to learn more, please also visit our Contact Us page or email [email protected].