Facility Audits
With the increase in online orders and the booming e-commerce and retail sectors, warehouse efficiency has become a crucial competitive factor in the supply chain. Given the vast amounts of supplies and products that warehouses store, maintaining high efficiency is essential for all shipping and handling operations. To keep up with competitors, all warehouses should adhere to an efficient and well-organized process that is implemented and followed thoroughly by all warehouse workers and managers.
While all operations should happen quickly and on time, there is always room for improvement. With the help of USSI, we offer facility audit services to warehouses with various racking and shelving systems. Facility audits are at the warehouses’ discretion but are encouraged by managers and owners/CEOs to maintain efficiency and productivity within their business.
Understanding Your Warehouse Needs
Warehouses are apt to experience a shortage of space and can quickly run out of shelving and racking, potentially leading to boxes piling up and disorganization. Warehouse managers play a crucial role in addressing these storage issues by updating workflows and the standard of operations (SOPs) to meet order fulfillment demands. By proactively managing space and optimizing processes, they can maintain efficiency and ensure smooth operations from start to finish.
Storage challenges can significantly impact warehouse efficiency, but other factors, such as wasted space, outdated equipment, and safety issues, can also contribute. Before these factors lead to failures in warehouse systems, managers must be accountable for their impact on productivity and profitability.
Warehouse leaders are held accountable for processes, storage, and fulfillment; therefore, they must manage any concerns. The sooner these issues are identified, the sooner they can be resolved, allowing regular operations to proceed. Managers and employees are affected by quarterly reports, so any challenges that are faced can impact both individual and overall company performance.
The USSI Partners Facility Audit
Participating in a facility audit benefits warehouse managers, owners, and the company. The audit consists of USSI racking specialists attending warehouses to evaluate the space, layout, and systems. Our specialists will thoroughly investigate the area, noting what can be improved, suggesting new implementations, and measuring the space’s current capacity.
Our comprehensive audits consist of OSHA and NFPA standards and requirements. Our team thoroughly investigates the area, noting what can be improved, suggesting new implementations, and measuring the space’s current capacity. Any red flags that are found will be taken note of and discussed once the audit is completed, ensuring that all potential issues are identified and addressed.
Benefits of USSI Audits
Facility audits can seem intimidating, but their goal is to ensure that warehouses are utilized to their full potential. Our specialists can recommend improvements that help businesses maximize their space. Whether suggesting new racking units, adding additional shelving to existing systems, or investing in newer equipment to enhance warehouse operations, our team will identify the necessary improvements.
Necessary improvements may include implementing pick modules or competitive workflows that allow warehouses to enhance efficiency, reduce order processing times, and optimize space utilization. By streamlining operations, warehouses can better meet customer demands and improve productivity. These operational improvements can also lead to significant cost savings by reducing the need for many employees on the clock, minimizing the number of machines required, and lowering operational costs such as electricity.
Following the results of facility audits will increase operational efficiency and strategic warehouse policies that will potentially be implemented by the warehouse leaders. The changes needed to improve warehouse systems and policies aren’t meant to overhaul the entirety of the current workflow but rather improve the company’s overall profitability, leading to improved business performance and an increase in revenue. Continuous monitoring and adjustments will ensure these improvements remain effective over time, fostering a culture of ongoing development within the organization.
Key Areas Evaluated During an Audit
As previously mentioned, there are many key factors that are evaluated during a facility audit, such as racking system analysis, storage capacity, workflow, and pick modules, and, importantly, safety considerations.
During the racking inspection, USSI specialists will thoroughly examine the existing racking systems. While examining the installed racking units, the USSI team will review their age, current condition, and structural integrity. Based on this evaluation, warehouse managers will determine whether new racking systems are necessary.
In addition to evaluating the age and condition of the racking and shelving systems, the audit will assess the warehouse’s overall storage capacity. This assessment is crucial in determining whether new units are needed or whether the current systems exceed their maximum capacity. If there are gaps in the warehouse and unused space, a reevaluation of the entire warehouse footprint will be necessary. For warehouses needing help reorganizing the current layout, the auditing team will advise a plan to allow them to utilize the space better.
Along with reviewing the footprint and capacity of the warehouse, this assessment will provide the team with a visual understanding of the current workflow. If the workflow is too dense and includes unnecessary steps, the team will recommend streamlining it to better organize the entire process from start to finish. Identifying areas for improvement may include determining how to increase the speed of fulfilling orders, optimizing shelf organization for easy access to popular items, and ensuring that employees can work efficiently and comfortably.
While orders are moving quickly to get out the door, prioritizing safety is crucial for keeping a company afloat. If multiple employees are injured on the job, workflows can be disrupted, leading to decreased productivity. Additionally, this can result in profit loss, as the company may need to hire temporary workers and cover workers’ compensation costs. Regularly scheduled training is essential to keep employees safe. Furthermore, ensuring that all racking units meet safety standards and do not pose hazards to employees is vital.
Post-Audit Deliverables
After the USSI team completes the facility audit, they will give customers a detailed outline of recommendations, reports, and improvement suggestions. The audit reports will offer insights that can help streamline current warehouse operations and storage systems, along with recommendations for process improvements.
In addition to the improvement recommendations, a safety report will also be included in the customer documentation. This safety report will detail the current precautions implemented in warehouses, as well as new suggestions to ensure that all employees are protected from harm and potential accidents.
Why You Should Partner With USSI
USSI brings innovation and warehouse solutions to the next level. Partnering with us will enable your business to achieve a significant return on investment, streamline warehouse operations, and enhance storage solutions and safety standards. We are excited to work with our clients and invite you to explore their experiences with us.
With a focus on safety and compliance, our innovative racking systems and accessories help reduce operational risks while maximizing productivity.
Let us help you transform your warehouse into a more efficient, safe, and profitable environment. Contact us today for a facility audit, and we can discover opportunities to improve your current operations.
