As every experienced warehouse owner knows, the efficient movement of goods through their warehouse is vital to success. Whether dealing with FMCG, spare parts or electronics, being able to move goods around your warehouse seamlessly will reduce stress on staff, and enhance productivity. This is why goods lifts are so popular in warehouses. They can contribute to a faster and smoother workflow.
But how did they do this? Let's have a look at the various ways in which a goods lift can accelerate your operations and boost productivity.
Reducing bottlenecks and improving flow
If you have traditionally relied on manual handling or forklifts, you'll know too well that these can create bottlenecks that can considerably slow down operations. A goods lift can provide a good solution. They can enhance the flow of goods through your warehouse, allow for less manual handling and fewer bottlenecks.
Improving efficiency and layout
By carefully planning your warehouse layout, including a goods lift, you can significantly improve efficiency. For example, if you have narrow aisles, which forklifts may struggle with, you can allocate these to manual handlers. This can leave wider aisles free for the forklift to move items directly from the loading bay to your goods lift. This can significantly improve not only your warehouse's safety, but also its efficiency.
Maximising vertical space
Managing your storage capacity, particular during busy periods can be tricky. A goods lift can allow you to use the space above your first level of racking, which can almost double your storage space. This is ideal for warehouses with restricted space.
Improve flexibility
As well as maximising your storage space, you will have a more flexible option for moving stored goods around your warehouse. Every good warehouse owner knows that allocating space for particular types of goods can be difficult, especially if you are prone to overcrowding. Using vertical space and sectioning off part of your warehouse for a particular type of goods can allow you to be more flexible with your storage options.
In addition, having a goods lift within your premises will allow you to store high-value or sensitive products further away from the entry to your warehouse, reducing the risk of theft.
Safety = productivity
The Health and Safety Executive regularly posts manual handling injury statistics, as one of the most common causes of workplace injury. Manual handling can cause several risks to staff, particularly if they have to regularly lift heavy or awkward loads. By installing a good lift, you reduce the manual handling your staff will undertake. If your goods left is big enough to fit a pallet truck, or even a forklift, this can mean you can minimise manual handling risks. Therefore, you will be doing more to protect your staff, and suffering less employee downtime from injury.
Cost savings and opportunities.
When you streamline your operations, this can reduce your reliance on manpower. This can save you not only in terms of wage costs, but also reduce the risks of compensation claims for those injured by manual handling.
Not only this, but you will be able to improve the performance of your orders, which can enhance your reputation and increase sales.
While a goods lift is not a panacea for all problems within the warehouse, it can provide a number of benefits as shown above. Whether you are considering installing a good lift within your premises as a retrofit, or building a new facility, it is well worth considering one of these useful warehouse workhorses. Your bottom line, staff and customers will likely be very glad you did.
