It’s no secret that America is actively encouraging tech companies to produce products domestically, reducing US dependence on foreign manufacturers. And it’s working. But hand-in-hand with new manufacturing comes the need for new warehousing and new labor to move these special high-tech products.
That is what happened to a leading packaging and logistics firm. They were hired to get a warehouse up and running by a Taiwanese microchip manufacturer. The firm, a global leader in design, crating and logistics, enlisted FHI NOW to help get a new warehouse up to speed. For more than 30 years, FHI has been working in warehouses, unloading product, and improving warehouse operations to enhance efficiency. The firm was keen to capitalize on that experience, looking for consultancy to establish standard operating procedures and work instructions, all without a WMS (Warehouse Management System) in place.
It was evident that to formulate the best procedures for delicate, high-tech products, FHI had to delve in, and experience it firsthand. As a result, FHI was able to help set up the proper practices and procedures up-front:
- Organization of freight
- Cataloguing
- Developing procedures for receiving freight
- Travel paths
- Warehouse safety protocols
The firm realized early how important it is to get the proper procedures in place early, important from a safety standpoint, a productivity standpoint, and from an accountability standpoint. Customers have clear expectations that the warehouse will work efficiently from day one. Establishing safety zones, travel paths, label racking, sorting, cataloging, inbound processes, safety meetings, equipment certification, and training are just some of the essential services necessary at the start, services we built together based on our collective capabilities.
The truth is that there is one chance to set up a warehouse correctly from the start. A WMS doesn’t put processes in place, and the risks are enormous – from a safety perspective and a relationship perspective.
Ultimately, getting a warehouse up and running is a massive undertaking, but it is ten times harder to go back and change things later. It’s important to get it right the first time. That’s where FHI NOW can help.
