Warehouse Companies
Choosing <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/picking-and-packing.cfm”>Warehouse Providers</a>
If your business has stock, you have storage needs. As inventory builds up, warehousing becomes a possibility. There’s more to warehousing than you probably think. Warehousing services cover a wide variety of activities. From a leased garage sized storage facility all the way up to an expensive pack and ship outfit.
Many small business owners are run out of little garage-type self-storage units they rent. The previous day’s orders are picked and packaged inside the storage unit and sent out for shipping at the end of the day. If the business becomes a success, however, it can rapidly outgrow this setup and warehousing services become neccessary.
Different types of <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/index.cfm”>Warehousing Services</a>
There’s more to warehousing than basic storage. However, many warehouses think there isn’t, and this is the commonest kind of warehousing. You rent shelf space or floor space. Access might be limited and any additional services, including the use of fork trucks and access to loading docks, will come at extra cost. In any warehouse set up (even the U-Store type) insurance and security should be looked into. Some of your merchandise may need temperature controls. Don’t forget to check that the warehouse is climate controlled.
Look for at least: theft and fire insurance – employee theft can often be a serious problem if you aren’t around to check on your merchandise. Check that the operation has liability insurance and what bonding options they offer.
As well as simple storage, some warehousing services also offer pick and pack type order fulfillment services. You send them your orders and they will pack it all up and send it to the customer.
You could also hire a service that will pick orders for you but leave you to arrange the shipping. This would allow you to double check your orders before they vanish in the post.
Other Issues to Consider:
· Climate controlled warehouses – for artwork, antique furniture or other precious commodities that might be affected by climatic changes.
· Registered warehousing – for custom sensitive items, either shipping or receiving commodities.
· High security storage – you get your own secure lot and the area is both patrolled by security guards and alarmed.
· Hazardous materials storage – a specialized type of warehousing is needed dangerous substances.
Warehouse Plus <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/picking-and-packing.cfm”>Pick, Pack and Ship</a>
When you have a large variety of items or just very big items, you will be interested in storing them until they are sold. They then are moved to the shipping operation. However, by using a service that provides both storage and a pack and ship services you will remove this problem.
Order picking and the neccessary paperwork may still be your problem however, but when an order is taken from storage, the pack and ship operation takes care of the rest. This is important for items that are hard to transport or require special delivery tracking, proof of delivery or insurance. Many warehouses now use barcoding to keep track of your unventory as part of their pack and ship facility. They may also provide additional record keeping, and will record what is spent on postage or other ancillary services.
Pack and ship services typically also accept packages as part of their service. This can save you a lot of time as you won’t be expected to rush off to the warehouse quite so much.
Warehousing on a Budget
In most cases, companies that already rent storage space will be happy to lease you some space in thier warehouse for your goods. These can be informal contracts but it pays to draw up an agreement that covers access and obligations. Insuring your merchandise will be up to you.
Unconventional warehousing space can be found almost anywhere if you are willing to be flexible. A freind’s garage might be all you need or even an outdoor area, so long as your merchandise will be sufficiently protected from the weather. Often, people are willing to allow you to use a space providing you agree to maintain it for them.
Also, don’t overlook businesses that have vacant rooms that are no longer. These can often be had quite cheaply, because they would otherwise go to waste. Wherever you store your inventory, remember to insure against loss – don’t rely on the current insurance policy, it probably won’t cover you because the premises have been put to another use .