Regardless of the size of your company, Warehousing in Supply Chain Management is an essential component. Warehouses offer storage for both finished goods and raw materials, as well as packing and distribution services, among other benefits. Unless your company owns and operates its warehousing supply chain, you’ll have to rely on a dedicated third-party warehouse to meet your needs. Here’s how selecting the right Warehousing in supply chain management can transform your overall needs.
The Advantages of Warehousing Supply Chain
Improved Inventory Control
Using a warehouse can improve inventory control because it allows you to store all of your goods in a single centralized location. Nearly 40% of small businesses do not track their inventory, which can lead to serious supply and distribution issues.
Many warehouses use cutting-edge inventory management systems to track your goods before they leave the shelves. You won’t have to wonder how many items you have on the rack because it will be recorded in the warehouse’s logistics management system. Everything will be organized before shipping as well, reducing the possibility of lost or delayed shipments.
Using a third-party warehouse allows you to store far more items than you could ever store in your facilities. Because you won’t have to worry about storing the goods yourself, you might be able to get bulk or wholesale discounts, saving your company money. You can fulfill more orders if you have more items on hand.
Increased distribution efficiency
Having a centralized location for all of your inventory can help you ship and distribute your products more quickly. This is frequently far more efficient than managing in-house or shipping yourself. On a warehouse floor, packing equipment and loading docks are only a few steps away. When your warehouse receives notification that your items must be shipped, they will do so.
If you want lightning-fast distribution without having to lift a finger, a 3pl distribution warehouse could be the answer.
Longer shelf life
Warehouses not only allow for faster distribution but also allow for better storage of perishable goods. Refrigeration, humidity control, and heating services can all help to extend the shelf life of perishables and other temperature-sensitive goods. A good warehouse will always keep your products at the proper temperature to prevent damage or spoilage.
Many warehouses focus solely on shipping food-grade or refrigerated products. Check to see if your warehouse provider has experience storing products like yours.
Enhanced security
Your goods will be more secure if they are stored in a warehouse. Security cameras and alarms are frequently used in warehouses to monitor for potential break-ins. They also have smoke alarms and fire control systems to keep your goods safe from accidental fires that could damage your inventory. A dedicated warehouse team can monitor your products more effectively than you can.
When storing hazardous materials, such as flammable chemicals, a 3pl warehouse can help to reduce the risk to your employees. Many warehouses specialize in the storage and handling of hazardous materials. This knowledge enables warehousing management to adhere to proper handling and storage protocols, reducing potential risks to both personnel and the environment.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your products are always safe and accounted for with a good 3pl warehouse. Not only are your products safe, but so are the people who handle them.
Supply chain warehousing at a low cost
Using a warehouse can also help you save money in the long run. Instead of devoting time, money, and resources to distributing goods in-house, outsourcing warehousing and distribution to a single provider will lower your costs and free up your time.
You don’t have to worry about staffing or organizing your facility, which is a full-time job that can cost a lot of money. In the long run, outsourcing your distribution needs to a warehousing company can save you money. It is an excellent solution for small-to-medium-sized businesses that lack the resources to run their facilities. When you don’t have to worry about distribution, you have more time and energy to devote to other aspects of running your business.
Improved customer service
Using a 3pl warehouse can give your customer service advantage because it provides more storage capacity and more efficient distribution services. Faster shipping and distribution results in happier customers, which leads to increased sales. 3pl Warehouses with direct distribution capabilities can also offer services such as reverse logistics to facilitate customer returns.
