Essentials for Creating an Efficient Picking and Packing Area in Your Business
The retail and e-commerce landscape has always moved quickly, but today’s customer expectations are faster than ever. With next-day and even same-day delivery becoming the norm, the time between placing an order and receiving it has drastically shortened. While external factors like warehousing and delivery logistics play a role in the overall process, this guide will focus on what happens internally after an order is received, highlighting essentials in the picking and packing process, to help boost efficiency, reduce delays and maximise packing space.
Warehouse - Choosing the Right Shelving & Racking
Whether you’re managing a large warehouse or a compact stockroom, every storage space needs reliable shelving.
In larger spaces, Industrial Shelving or Warehouse Racking are popular choices thanks to their strength and ability to handle heavy loads. Smaller stockrooms can also benefit from Industrial Shelving, or Chrome Wire Shelving, which are both sturdy options for everyday loading requirements.
For heavy pallets or oversized goods, Warehouse Racking remains the go-to solution, specifically designed to support greater weight and bulk.
Pick Bins or Storage Boxes can also be paired with shelving, to help with organisation but to also minimise dust and dirt getting onto products.
Read more on choosing the right shelving for your stockroom - “The Stockroom Challenge – Getting It Right”
Warehouse – Safely Picking & Moving Products
An organised warehouse and tidy packing area are essential, but knowing how to move items from point A to point B safely is just as key.
In smaller operations, this might be done entirely by hand, with little to no equipment. However, in larger warehouses, where stock is spread across a wider area, using the right tools can greatly enhance efficiency, reduce strain on staff and lower the risk of injury.
For bulkier items, Trucks and Trolleys are useful as they can carry and be manoeuvred with larger loads more easily. In contrast, for smaller stockrooms or businesses handling lightweight items, something as simple as a box, tote, or even a Shopping Basket can make the picking process quicker and more streamlined.
Packing – Storing A Range of Packing Materials & Supplies
Any business involved in picking and packing needs the right supplies, and a place to store them. From small essentials like tape and pens to larger items like boxes, packing paper, and even spare electronic equipment; these items are vital to keeping things running smoothly. With so much to organise, shelving is often a must, and accessories like Picking Bins, Storage Boxes, and Labels can make it much easier to find what you need and keep everything in order.
Staffroom – Providing Personal Storage
Having a designated area for bags, coats, and other personal items, such as a staffroom or cloakroom, ensures that they’re not stored around the packing area, keeping it clear and clutter-free.
Cube Shelving or Hanging Rails, whether wall-mounted or freestanding, can give staff an easy place to store items. Lockers are also a great option for storing belongings, and some employees may prefer the added security of a locker, where their personal effects and individual work equipment can be safely locked away.
Packing Area – Setting Up a Productive Packing Station
The packing area can be the busiest part of a stockroom, and where workers spend a significant amount of time. And with most online orders expected to go out as quickly as they come in, it’s important to set up this space efficiently and ergonomically.
Every packing area should have a Packing Bench to hold a computer, label printer, pens, envelopes and packing materials such as boxes, and items for padding and protecting products during transport.
Packing benches come in various sizes, and choosing the right one depends on the type of products you handle. Larger, solid items like furniture or equipment may require a bigger, spacious bench, while smaller or softer items, such as jewellery or clothing, can be packed at a more compact station or at a shared, larger bench.
To keep the workspace organised, consider adding Part Bins or Storage Baskets to hold fiddly supplies like pens, scissors, stickers, envelopes, and packing paper.
Packing materials can take up valuable workspace, so benches with removable reel bars can be a smart, space-saving option, as they’re perfect for storing and dispensing rolls of packing material without cluttering the bench.
Finally, if staff are standing for extended periods, Anti-Fatigue Mats can help ease pressure on their legs, feet, and back, improving both comfort and productivity throughout the day.
Our team of experts are always on hand for everything from personalised assistance on project planning, such as a shop fit, and to offer recommendations to help you choose the right products. Find out more about our Business Services.
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