ASK DAN: How we can maximise our warehouse and still have the facility to load vehicles
Question: I operate from a small warehouse complex, and find that to maximise the storage at the warehouse will require specialist retrieval equipment, and still I will need a counterbalance or similar vehicle to load and unload delivery vehicles.
Can you suggest how we can maximise our warehouse and still have the facility to load vehicles without the huge expense of two forklift vehicles?
Ask Dan: How many warehouses are there in the UK?
Question: Quick question, but one I have had great difficulty trying to get an answer to - How many warehouses are there in the UK?
Answer: I’m not sure where to begin to answer this question, as you have rightly indicated it is very difficult to answer as there is no one location which seem to collect this data. You can further complicate it by breaking it down into ambient, chilled, frozen, bonded, cross docking, personal, etc. type of warehousing.
ASK DAN: I am looking at handhelds to use with all my delivery drivers
Question: I am looking at handhelds to use with all my delivery drivers, I don’t need real time, and will upload – download at the depot, however I do need them to last. They will be working on software with SQL background. Can you suggest best ones to use please.
Answer: As you might or might not be aware, OPS are an independent consultancy, as such, we cannot officially recommend or promote any particular company. Each of our customer’s requirements will be unique, therefore will require a different solution, so we must always strive to make sure that we put the best supplier forward, based both on technology and cultural fit. There are also myriad providers available, e.g., Palm, Symbol, PSC, Intermec, Dolphin, etc. That said, I can provide some detailed guidance on what you should be looking for when making a selection, to ensure you get the right product.
ASK DAN: Increasing efficiency and picking integrity in a temperature-controlled warehouse
Question: I am operating a temperature-controlled warehouse, requiring a fast and accurate pick for the food retail industry and restaurants in our immediate locality. Can you advise me on the best method of increasing our efficiency and picking integrity, without any major investment?
Answer: There are always difficulties operating within a temperature controlled warehouse environment. Not least if working in the frozen food sector, as working in these temperatures cause problems with dexterity (you can’t manage to push the right buttons because your fingers are frozen). I am anticipating you are operating within the chill food sector, including dairy products and milk.
