Optimize Your Facility with Racking & Automation

While a few lucky businesses haven’t been affected by labor shortages, most have been hit hard. Skilled labor has become more difficult to find and the “Great Resignation” means that employees are job-hopping to make a dollar or two more an hour. In the past, many companies have ramped up material handling by hiring more people—and, increasingly, that’s not an option. 

So how can your facility keep up with the "Amazon effect" -- or pressure to compete with an Industry Goliath -- with limited resources and a smaller budget? 

When sourcing automation and racking solutions, normally businesses have to vet numerous suppliers to provide the most cost effective and efficient solution. With the apparent labor and time shortage, is where partners like OnPoint Group, can get the job done from start to finish.

📢To help get you equipped with the optimal racking and automation solution, OnPoint Group shares 7 common questions for facilities new to racking and automation: 

1. Does your solution go beyond preconceived notions?

Has a vendor offered you only the option you asked for? At TFS, (an OnPoint Company), we often get an initial call because someone has a solution in mind. Sometimes, that self-assessment is correct, but more often, the facility would benefit from another approach, like different equipment or a new conveyor. In our opinion, a holistic proposal that falls within your budget and considerations for different process improvements, storage solutions, and conveyance methodologies are key to efficiency.

2. Is your solution built on discussion and data?

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, so it’s important to use data and observation to come up with the solution for each facility. We tend to observe your facility in action and use a systemic, collaborative approach that considers your input. A true partner will also ask where you want to be in five years. The volatility or stability of your general industry should also factor into the final plan.

3. What are your goals for the project?

Most companies have the types of goals you’d expect: saving space, reducing labor, improving throughput, increasing or decreasing inventory levels and/or accuracy, improving service levels. However, it’s not unusual for businesses to feel pulled into different directions and be unsure about priorities. That’s where an experienced vendor like TFS can add value by jumping in and pointing out opportunities and room for improvement.   

click on the above illustration to learn more about simplifying your automation journey!

4. Are you facing any labor issues?

If you are, it’s time to think about automation. Many people believe automation is meant to replace employees, but it’s really about making jobs easier, faster, and more efficient. Automation can ease that skilled labor dearth by using systems-driven processes to guide employees. This makes the new employee ramp-up process faster and improves efficiency, which reduces touches, as well as returns. 

5. How will you justify your ROI?

Sadly, there's no easy answer here because there are truly a hundred ways to justify ROI. It can also be a little more challenging right now because supply chain issues have made everything much more expensive. Determining your goals is the first step, but consider your inventory, racking, and space, among other factors. Where are you losing money? How can you recoup your costs? ROI is another reason that it’s important to see a proposal that has gone beyond your preconceived ideas of the initial solution.

6. Could your facility be configured more efficiently?

In our experience, even companies that have access to inexpensive land have been focusing on reducing their footprints. Racking is an important part of that and we’re seeing much higher racks become more popular. In Europe, where space is scarcer, they’ve been racking up to 60 feet high for decades, and the trend is catching on here, although that height is still relatively rare and equipment can be harder to find. That said, optimizing your facility’s footprint is something you should be considering to help your business grow efficiently. 

7. What sales channels matter to your business now and in the future?

The pandemic has accelerated many companies’ digital transitions. For example, even traditional brick-and-mortar stores like supermarkets are now online. While retail stores remain, the omnichannel strategy has become more prevalent, so material handling needs to keep up with the demands presented by e-commerce. After all, if your company is processing 12,000 orders a day for two-day delivery, you need efficient systems in place. Any racking and automation proposal should be considering your sales channels now, as well as your plans for the future.

📈 Next Steps to Transforming Your Facility

Racking and automation can transform your facility and your business and help push you to the next level. This kind of preparedness has become even more important as world events remain unpredictable and Amazon continues to set an incredibly high bar. However, there’s no question that both racking and automation are an investment, so partner with us to be sure your solutions are collaborative and well-considered. Keep in mind, you don’t need to make a massive investment to start your automation journey.

To begin your journey of increasing the efficiency in your facility, OMNIA Partners offers a comprehensive program with OnPoint Group. OnPoint Group are experts in material handling, facility maintenance and racking and automation. To learn more about racking and automation solutions that will transform your business, complete the form below.