A major tool for businesses, especially within the last two decades, is outsourcing. Your company may outsource many services formerly done by internal departments and employees. While many people think of manufacturing and payroll as the major departments that are routinely outsourced, there is one that may surprise you: Warehousing.
Outsourcing your warehousing may be a necessity for your company, especially if you’re a company on the East Coast that needs to efficiently get your products to the West Coast, or vice-versa. Renting warehouse space on the opposite end of the country to house your products is a form of outsourcing. Your company will operate more smoothly and save you money when you implement third-party logistics for your shipping, receiving and storage.
Even if your company owns and operates its own warehouses, you may have certain times of the year when you have more inventory to store. This is when renting or leasing warehouse space can be very helpful. You can store all extra inventory at the contracted warehouse so you and your employees won’t have to make room and clear a space in your warehouse. Even in a warehouse environment, clutter and a lot of obstacles can be dangerous to work around. It just makes sense to have the excess inventory safely stored at another location while you work in an easy-to-navigate warehouse environment.
If you own your own warehouse already, you know the time, effort and money it takes to hire and train warehouse employees. When you rent warehouse space, the personnel is included in the price. These warehousing employees specialize in ensuring the most ideal storage for your items. You’ll still be responsible for providing the manpower for managing the shipping and receiving, but you won’t a constant employee presence at the rented warehouse space.
Depending on the type of inventory you’ll be storing, you’ll need to research your potential rented warehouse space for certain features. Make sure the warehouse is on stabilized, level ground with easy access. Also look for the type of high rack storage that will best fit your needs. Location is also a major factor in deciding which warehouse space to rent. You will most likely choose one that is near a major highway for easy access with tractor-trailers and delivery vehicles.
You will want to consider leasing a warehouse that will allow you to keep in touch with your inventory. Some warehouses have very high-tech logistics software that will allow you to track your inventory from over the Internet. This will give you the power to track and check your inventory yourself, rather than calling an operator and being put on hold while someone else checks for you.
Third party logistics is an ever-growing trend in the warehousing business. Make sure you choose the right warehouse for your company by researching the building’s convenience, staff and amenities.
