Order picking can be time-consuming, labour intensive and expensive too. But it doesn’t have to be.

Improving the efficiency of your order-picking operation is simpler than you might think, and will benefit both you and your customers.

Sound good? Then read on, and discover our top tips for maximising your picking productivity.

Zoning

When it comes to order picking, warehouse zoning is your best friend. Simply put, zoning involves laying out your warehouse in a way that maximises picking efficiency, by placing the most commonly used items closest to the area where they are used.

As a handy tip it’s best to follow the so-called ABCs of product zoning:

A – Place the fastest moving ‘A’ items in the area closest to the starting point, or next stage of the order completion process.

B – Slower moving ‘B’ items should be placed in the next closest area.

C – Finally, the slowest moving ‘C’ items should be located the furthest away.

Don’t Run Out!

There’s nothing like an empty shelf for slowing down or clogging up the order picking process. So make sure to keep stock at a specified minimum level – and replenish this daily.

Batch Pick

Always pick orders in batches. This is a cardinal rule of order picking, and should never be violated. Even if you only pick two orders at a time, this will still save you valuable minutes. And as the old adage goes – time is money!

Always Verify

People makes mistakes – it’s part of human nature. That’s why it’s important to verify every step of the picking process. Double – or even triple – checking, will allow you to catch mistakes early on, saving you time and avoiding unnecessary hassle further down the line.

There are a number of warehouse technologies, such as barcode scanners and RFID systems that can make this process a little easier, and minimise the margin for human error. So you might want to give one of these a try too.

Spruce Up Your Storage

The right storage solutions can work wonders for warehouse efficiency. Shelving, for example, is a warehouse staple that makes organising both products and picking activities simple.

As a leading supplier of pallet racking in London, here at CMC we know a thing or two about maximising warehouse effectiveness. And all our innovative storage solutions make optimising the operation of your warehouse a breeze.

Want to more? Then contact a member of our friendly team today by giving us a call on 0208 998 9247.