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Warehouse Optimization Consulting

To ensure a successful warehouse operation, it's essential to have a layout that's tailored to meet both your current and future capacity, productivity, and process needs, complemented by professional guidance grounded in the market's best practices.

As the demand grows, labor shortages persist, operations diversify, and overcrowding becomes a challenge, it becomes necessary to optimize the supply chain and operational flows of the distribution warehouse.

The projects
Diagnosis of your layout and operations
Design and optimization of your space (new or existing)
Development of your specifications and selection of suppliers
Support in the implementation of our recommendations
Identification of the best 3PL partner
Diagnosis of your layout and operations

The purpose of a layout diagnosis is to audit your distribution operations, evaluate your performance at the operational level and compare yourself to best practices in your industry. The goal is to offer the best possible service to your customers. To do this, we will perform a :

  • Modeling of the key elements of the layout and the systems used;
  • Assessment of current storage capacity;
  • Comparison of your workforce utilization to industry standards;
  • Analysis of warehouse operations to determine needs;
  • Identify areas of improvement on the current layout and benchmark best practices;
  • Identification of design criteria based on company forecasts.
Design and optimization of your space (new or existing)

Warehouse design and optimization refers to the process of creating or improving the layout and operations in order to maximize its efficiency and productivity in inventory managementminimizing warehouse costs and profitability while reducing overall investment costs. This involves a :

  • Design of a 2D or 3D plan that maximizes the warehouse productivity and space capacity;
  • Research and selection of applicable handling and storage equipment based on product and inventory profiles;
  • Optimization of the layout and compliance with the rules of operational safety and infrastructure of a building (fire, lighting, security, etc.);
  • Development of recommendations (scenarios and concepts) following industry best practices;
  • Detailed layout plan;
  • Process re-engineering;
  • Budget and planning;
  • Comparative scenario analysis and selection.
Development of your specifications and selection of suppliers

The development of warehousing and material handling equipment specifications and the selection of suppliers is a critical process for a company carrying out its design facility project. It involves identifying and defining the requirements for a product or service, and then selecting the most appropriate supplier to provide it. By using experts, this allows you to complete your projects with minimal risk and superior quality. The key elements in the realization of this project are the :

  • Development of specifications and technical estimates for equipment;
  • Pre-qualification of equipment and suppliers meeting minimum criteria;
  • Coordination of specific design development;
  • Finalization of the budget for the selection of the supplier and the automation system
  • Development of the implementation plan, evaluation of tasks, effort, required internal and external expertise, technology integration plan and contingency plan.
Support in the implementation of our recommendations

The support in the implementation of our recommendations and the various follow-ups can represent a complex set of tasks. It refers to several technical elementsplanning, coordination and meticulous execution. Overall, this type of project requires :

  • Coordination of the installation of the various elements of the final warehouse layout with the chosen suppliers (architects, contractors, equipment suppliers, etc.);
  • Setting up a project team with a management and orientation committee;
  • Collaborative approach of the different teams;
  • Identification of participants, skills, monitoring tools and communication process;
  • Development and execution of the change management plan;
  • Inspection of the installations and validation of the initial specifications;
  • Punctual support following the installations.
Identification of the best 3PL partner

The search for business partners requires an exhaustive study and work. With the help of our network, GCL Group is able to identify specialized companies according to your needs. By choosing the right partner with an experienced team, you will be able to concentrate on your core business while ensuring the continuity of your operations.

We assist you in identifying and selecting the right 3PL partner by following a structured process, recommending the best warehouse solution for your needs that involves:

  • Preliminary selection of suppliers and 3PLs applicable to your industry;
  • Creation of a specification based on your business needs;
  • Creation of a decision matrix;
  • Partner selection and relationship management.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs
How can you help me increase my storage capacity?
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By evaluating your current product range, order profiles and inventory levels, and then determining the optimal systems to implement.

 

 

What are the key design considerations when building a new warehouse (or expanding an existing one)?
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1- How much space is needed and at what height should the facility be built.
2- Make sure the floor design is adequate in terms of loading.
3- Consider material flow and throughput, which are critical to the design.
o Is automation an option?
o What types of systems should be considered (racking, conveyors, mezzanines, etc.)
4- Staffing requirements: with labor shortages, the option of automation becomes more attractive.
5- Highlight budgetary considerations.

 

 

What type of shelving should I consider?
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By looking at inventory and throughput, you can determine the best system for your needs.
o Static system (single or double depth, drive-in racking, etc.)
o Dynamic pallet systems: pallet flow and push-back system

 

 

Should I consider an automated system rather than a conventional one?
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Les problèmes de personnel devenant critiques, l'automatisation peut être une option viable.
Les systèmes peuvent également être semi-automatiques ou entièrement automatisés. Lorsque vous envisagez des options automatisées, il est préférable de faire une étude pour déterminer le retour sur investissement.

 

 

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