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.Warehousing and Storage .
Warehousing - warehousing is the receiving, storage, and delivery of goods.
Receiving – receiving is the acceptance of goods with a degree of accountability therefor.
Storage – storage is the safekeeping of goods in a warehouse or other depository.
Delivery – delivery is the transfer of goods to the transportation carrier or customer.
Distribution – distribution is a function of warehousing which includes the preparation and delivery of goods according to plan or special order.
Supply chain efficiencies depend upon the efficiency of logistics including transportation and warehousing operations. Warehouse efficiencies depend upon a combination of warehouse design, layout, infrastructure, systems, process and people.
Warehouse Design element aims to maximize the utility of space, equipment and efficiency of operations. We will briefly cover the various elements of a warehouse design and understand their importance.
In basic functional aspects, a warehouse function consists of - Material receipts including unloading, unpacking and inspection, put away and Storage of materials in various categories of storage locations, systems updating, pull materials for dispatch and delivery of materials after processing.
Warehouse Location, Layout and Building
The location of a warehouse should ideally be situated in a flat ground. The location should be easily approachable and in a area suited for this nature of business. Locations closer to markets or to national highways would be ideal. Public transportation and communication infrastructure should also be available.
The layout of the building should be designed to accommodate fleet parking, and enable containers to drive in and drive out easily. Any time two containers