Running an efficient warehouse

Published: Monday, 19 June 2023

At our warehousing facility in Coventry, the team works 24/7, 365 days a year to fulfil orders and manage a fast-paced storage solution for our clients. Warehouse Manager Tom Beqiraj shares his insights into order picking and what it takes to run an efficient warehouse.

Priority Freight operates a manual picking and storage process which is enhanced by automated storage and retrieval systems. These warehouse management technologies, combined with an adept manual workforce, allow us to provide a seamless 24-hour service for fast- or slow-moving goods. Our warehouse operation offers contingency and long-term storage, stock replenishment and fulfilment, pick, pack, labelling, sub-assembly, comprehensive UK distribution and reverse logistics.

Our Coventry warehouse can accommodate any product of any size for any duration because we have the option to use real humans to manually pick and pack orders. This gives us greater operational flexibility than if we invested in specialist equipment or infrastructure that might limit us to a handful of very specific tasks. The other advantage to using people is that we are able to handle odd-sized and irregular items that an automated system might struggle with.

As the volume of stock has increased, and to help streamline our processes, we have introduced handheld barcode scanners and mobile computing devices. These systems help to improve the accuracy, speed and efficiency of picking orders and positively impact the onward logical movement. The use of handheld scanners helps to improve our warehouse management systems; we can keep accurate inventory data which, in turn, streamlines the picking process.

Our staff are our main asset. We keep staff up-to-date on best practice through quality training and regular reviews of processes. As we don’t operate an automated facility, we need to look after our Priority People. The main risks to staff are musculoskeletal disorders, slips, trips, falls, fatigue and stress. We minimise the risks by providing specific ergonomic equipment, alongside regular in-depth training. We have a dedicated health and safety team who ensure that the correct programmes are in place to maintain the health and wellbeing of all employees and minimise injury in the workplace.

We take the health, safety and wellbeing of our warehouse staff very seriously. We have a team of health and safety experts in-house that help us continually monitor and improve our training, procedures and protocols. For every new starter, we provide comprehensive initial training and then commence an ongoing continuous training programme to ensure that knowledge is refreshed regularly.

Priority Freight can really help with all logistical needs. From air to road freight and beyond, why not contact us to find out more.