Warehouse Types, Design, and Operations

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 in Business Administration and Innovation Management

Warehouse Classes and Storage Types

Merchandise Stored

  • Raw Material
  • Material for Resale
  • Finished Products
  • Auxiliary Merchandise
  • Liquid Merchandise
  • Bulk Goods

Logistics System

  • Central Warehouses
  • Zone Warehouses
  • Traffic Yards

Legal System

  • Owned Warehouses
  • Rented Warehouses

Structure

  • Open-Air Warehouses
  • Closed-Air Warehouses

Degree of Automation

  • Conventional
  • Automated

Warehouse Operations by Logistics Network

Core Warehouses

These are the first level of the logistics network, supplying other warehouses in different areas.

Area Warehouses

These can be regional or local, receiving goods from the core warehouse and servicing retailers.

Traffic Yards

Used when the journey is long and large quantities of goods are transported. They are characterized by simple storage systems and handling methods.

Warehouse Design and Location

Many factors must be considered before building a warehouse, as this is a significant investment.

Location Factors

  • Type of Transport: The most frequently used mode of transport.
  • Distance from Suppliers: Greater distances increase transport costs.
  • Distance from Warehouse to Area: Affects delivery efficiency.
  • Accessibility: Good roads that allow for easy flow of goods.
  • Building Probability: Unhindered by authorities or neighborhoods.
  • Plot Cost: Including potential land revaluation.
  • Plot Area: Sufficient space for future expansion.
  • Plot Shape: Irregular shapes may reduce usable area.

Mathematical Method for Determining Location

A mathematical formula can be used to determine the optimal location based on customer accessibility:

D = ab = D

1 + R2 Pb / Pa

Warehouse Areas

Study Areas

Before building, we must restrict ourselves to the physical space of the building. We plan the warehouse space to achieve profitability objectives, considering:

  • Goods to be stored: Description, shape, size, weight, physical properties.
  • Quantity of units received per supply.
  • Frequency of supply.
  • External transport.
  • Internal transport equipment.
  • Quantity of units in storage.
  • Storage surface.

Reception or Entrance Area

Goods are unloaded and transferred to the warehouse.

Storage Zone

The place where goods are deposited until their date of issue.

Dispatch Zone

The space where goods are prepared for shipment to customers.

Ancillary Areas

  • Returns Area: For goods returned by customers.
  • Obsolete Material Area: For items not in good condition.
  • Warehouse Office or Administration: A small office to manage documentation.
  • Service Area: Intended for staff rest.

Plant Distribution (Layout)

  • Building Obstacles: Structural elements that cannot be modified (stairs, pillars, etc.).
  • Local Orientation: Where the warehouse is located.
  • Corridor Assignment: Strategic placement for efficient movement.