Improve your inbound logistics performance | Improve receiving performance in your warehouse
As part of the inbound logistics area of your business, the main role of an effective and efficient receiving function is to provide the highest level of speed and accuracy in processing deliveries from initial physical receipt through to final put-away stage or cross docking stage. It does not get any simpler than this, however some organisations tend to underestimate the real impact that a quality receiving function can have on customer service levels, client retention and profitability. To achieve the objectives of speed and accuracy, learn to understand the role of your receiving department and provide the following support base:
Improve Process to emiminate waste
Every process and sub process needs to be documented, understood, and followed by all receiving personnel. Whether you are receiving a delivery, unloading a vehicle, using the right materials handling equipment, completing delivery paperwork, sorting and matching items to invoices through to putting stock into your warehouse and cross docking, the receiving function requires the highest level of coordination and discipline to be efficient and effective. Following processes not only increases productivity levels, but identifying and documenting process delays will further enhance the overall performance and move towards best practice. The following are core areas of focus to remove process waste:
1. Over production
2. Waiting time
3. Unnecessary movement (Materials)
4. Over Processing
5. Excessive inventory
6. Unnecessary movement (People)
7. Production of defective products
Competency based training programs | CERT IV
With every discipline and specialty, it is important to have the right mix of skills and level of competency for each task that needs to be performed at a high level within the receiving function.
By developing competency based training programs, business are better placed to match the skill levels against the competency level and focus on bridging the performance gap for each individual.
A visual control is more effective as it shows all members of the receiving team on the one page, their current level, work-in-process and planned assessments for completion.
Improve Systems performance
To allow for ease of use, it is important to limit how much information is not only accessible for the receiving person, but also the volume of information displayed on a screen for processing. Most systems tend to display every field on the screen which can complicate the process and only results in delaying the processing time for booking in stock. Use of radio frequency systems can streamline the process further, but again is dependent on the quality and accuracy of the barcode which is either scanned from an inbound source product or labels printed and applied internally within receiving.
The right warehouse Infrastructure
It is important to have the right layout for the receiving function that works within the physical constraints of the warehouse i.e. position of columns, clearance between aisles, clear access to warehouse door, clearance between rack and sprinkler systems etc.
The right type of materials handling equipment needs careful consideration as investing in the wrong type of forklifts can severely impact on the cycle time for receiving as well as the cost to the operation.
Select a Supply Chain and Logistics Assessment that identifies real improvement.
We offer a range of assessments that are tailored to specific functions within your oganisation that require review. Depending on the scope of works or the scale of your organisation, our assessments are typically completed within 2 weeks of commencement for single site entities. Reference sites available on request.
