Warehouses are an essential part of many industries, and they can help businesses of all sizes. No matter the size of your warehouse or business, financially maintaining your warehouse is essential for business success. If you’re struggling financially and want to save money in your warehouse but aren’t sure how to start, we have some helpful tips for you below.
Maintain HVAC and Electrical Systems
Energy costs are increasing, so it’s more important than ever to maintain your HVAC and electrical systems. These are two of your warehouse’s most important and expensive systems, so you must prioritize their care. Investing in regular inspections is the best way to care for your HVAC system. You’re probably not an HVAC specialist, which means you could miss signs that your system is struggling. Professionals can quickly spot problems such as leaky ducts and clogged air filters that could compromise the functionality of your HVAC system. Paying them to fix these problems will cost money, but not as much as replacing damaged stock or buying a new HVAC system.
The best way to care for your electrical system is to make it more efficient. Replace old metal halide fixtures with fluorescent or LED fixtures that are easier to maintain and allow for more wattage. Fluorescent and LED lights use less wattage while producing the same light, saving you money.
Optimize Storage Space
The primary function of a warehouse is storage. If you’re not optimizing your storage space, you’re wasting money just trying to perform this primary function. You may think your current use of space is good enough, but good enough isn’t going to save you money. Industrial racking systems can accommodate any storage situation and improve your current facility.
For example, multi-tier racking is a solution that maximizes tall spaces. Stairs make each tier level accessible to employees, while the multiple layers provide extra storage space. Very Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking (VNA) doesn’t even require a tall warehouse. This adjustable pallet racking narrows the aisles in your warehouse, increasing storage capacity. While you’ll need specialized VNA equipment to traverse this system, the equipment purchase is often worth it in the long run to store more stock and save money.
Encourage and Appreciate Your Team
The tips we provided above are about the warehouse itself and the systems in place. However, no warehouse or storage system can function without people. Your employees are the most crucial part of your warehouse, and they need to feel encouraged and appreciated to continue to work for your company. High turnover rates are expensive, costing you lots of money for recruiting and training. Make your warehouse a better workplace with helpful automation, encouraging rewards systems, and additional signs of appreciation.
For example, workers feel appreciated when you don’t require them to perform menial tasks such as waste management. This is one reason your small business needs waste management services. Asking current employees who have specific skills for warehouse work to complete menial tasks such as waste management can make them feel you don’t appreciate their talents. When they don’t feel valued, they’ll want to leave and work elsewhere, costing you money.
These tips for saving money in your warehouse may cost some money upfront, such as investing in new lights and installing an automation system for employees. However, these upfront costs are worth it to save your warehouse money long-term.