There’s something exciting about outfitting a warehouse. Maybe it’s the prospect of creating an efficient workspace buzzing with activity. Or maybe it’s the idea of keeping your staff “stoked” and stocked with the equipment that makes their job easier and safer. Whatever the reason, your warehouse is a sacred place, so you want to do right by it. Filling your warehouse with high-quality equipment and tools like a warehouse control system is the first step to take toward honoring your place of work. That’s why we’ve designed this Must-Have Equipment Guide to make sure you have everything you need to be working at peak efficiency. Look these top 5 warehouse tools and make sure you aren’t missing something essential for your warehouse’s everyday operations.
Keepin’ it Moving
#1 – Hand Truck. For boxed, tall or ridged items having a hand truck on hand makes relocation a snap. Moving items from one location to another is as simple as slide the nose underneath, tip and roll. With a few hand trucks stationed at key locations around the warehouse, relocating boxes, case goods and appliances become an efficient operation. Not to mention that hand trucks are a back saver by almost eliminating the need to lift heavy items manually.
#2 – Dollies, specifically the low 4 wheel dollies. Like hand trucks these are indispensable for moving large items around the warehouse, touch up area and loading dock. While larger items may require a two-person team to lift and position the dolly underneath, once on the dolly items can be pushed with ease. In the touch-up or inspection areas, items on dollies can be spun in place for easy viewing and access to areas needing repair. Having a good supply of dollies in your delivery staging area is beneficial when you can leave product on dollies, ready to roll at a moment’s notice.
Equipment Tip: Having issues with hand trucks/dollies disappearing from the warehouse? Maybe your delivery staff is reallocating them to their trucks. Grab a can of bright spray paint like hot pink or fluorescent green to mark your equipment. It will discourage “borrowing” as the equipment for the warehouse will be easily identifiable when spotted where it should not be.
Keepin’ it Together
#3 – Stretch Wrap & Dispenser. This versatile supply that every warehouse should has so many uses you’ll be glad to have it around. While wrapping up furniture is not that exciting, the benefits of eliminating possible damage is well worth the effort. Stretch wrap can be used to hold furniture pads in place, keeping doors and drawers shut, bundling cushions with upholstered pieces and so much more! All of this while providing a barrier to moisture during deliveries in inclement weather and helping to reduce damage from abrasion, punctures, and scratches. In some cases, a wrapped piece is easier to handle by providing hand holds on otherwise slick finished surfaces. In some operations, staff easily knows what pieces are ready to head out the door and which pieces need attention. Wrapped and ready or naked and needs attention.
#4 – Packing Tape & Tape Gun. Three words to sum up why every warehouse needs packing tape on hand. In-Dis-Pensible….. Like stretch wrap, tape has many uses and it can be guaranteed that having a few stocked tape dispensers around the warehouse will speed up your operation. Securing boxes, taping down wrap or pads, applying paperwork, labeling boxes or rack locations are just a few of the hundreds of uses your staff will find for this stuff. Again, not that exciting of a supply to have, but you will miss it when it’s not around.
Keepin’ it Pristine
#5 Touch Up Pens. Let’s face it. No matter how careful, safe and aware the staff is, accidents happen. With delicately finished surfaces on furniture pieces being moved around on concrete, near metal racks, over loading docks, and between other merchandise, bumps and scratches will happen. Having a set of touch up markers on hand for quick repairs and touch ups will keep your deliveries moving out the door on time. Idle furniture pieces waiting for a repair in the middle of your loading dock or warehouse are just screaming to get bumped into again. Installing bright, efficient lighting is also a great way to make your warehouse a desirable place to operate. Zuli Lighting is popular for warehouses for these very reasons.
While there are literally thousands of gadgets, tools, and accessories available for use around the warehouse, these basics will be the most utilized daily. In sticky situations, the best warehouse tool will be the one that is readily available. Make sure that you have the right and most versatile tools on hand so that errors and damage created by “improvising” is not a source of inefficiency. If you have the best technology in your warehouse, it’s important that it is maintained. Regular pallet racking inspection is one such recommendation.
Digital Links:
Touch Up Pens – https://youtu.be/rxiiyXbduUo
Hand Truck – https://youtu.be/5S7FMtx1yqo
Stretch Wrap – https://youtu.be/nZG-pd_fBLw
For more information, call (800) 422-3778, Option 2.
