A well-designed labeling strategy is integral to every warehouse. This includes avoiding misplaced merchandise and wasted movement by labeling bins and aisles, respectively.
If your goal is to increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies, a labeling system that is tailored to your facility could be a game-changer. To learn more about how to simplify things in your facility with strategically placed and easy-to-understand labels, consider these tips for designing an effective warehouse labeling method.
Map it Out
Placing labels on racks, aisles, or bins with a lack of forethought and planning can lead to a decline in productivity. Not to mention, expecting workers to understand and make use of poorly planned labels is unfair. Carefully mapping out your warehouse floor and determining the total number of needed labels can help avoid harmful labeling errors and even present opportunities to alter the current layout to boost efficiency.
Stick with the Industry Standards when Possible
While there are many ways to customize layouts and labeling methods within a warehouse, best practices exist for a reason. Decades of combined knowledge from countless warehouse operators have provided an industry standard that reflects the best general approach to labeling. Sticking with this approach whenever possible is in the best interest of most facility managers.
The industry labeling standard starts with careful numbering. All shelves should be numbered from the ground up. This approach gives a warehouse room to grow. Instead of having to renumber an entire rack every time expansion occurs, it is possible to add shelf numbers to the top.
Another useful tip is to use at least two digits for every label number (i.e., adding a zero in front of labels numbered one through nine). This can help avoid errors when sorting alphabetically.
Focus on Consistency
Regardless of how you intend to label your warehouse’s inventory and areas, it is vital to stick with the system in place. An otherwise neat and understandable labeling system can quickly fall apart when deviations occur.
Scale Your Labeling Method to Your Inventory
It is not enough to lay out a labeling system that scales to the size of your facility. Warehouse managers should also scale their labels down to the size of the items within their inventory. The size of specific items should be accounted for in any warehouse labeling method. For example, warehouses that store bulk computer parts likely need labeling systems that allow workers to identify small pieces of technology.
The Benefits of Labeling Systems when Using Flex Labor
Every warehouse employee can benefit from a labeling system that is concise, easy to understand, and which follows industry standards. This is especially true if your facility relies on flex labor.
If you are in need of reliable, on-demand labor, HapiGig is here to help. Our platform can connect you with skilled warehouse workers who understand industry standards and are ready to help you meet your goals the minute they arrive at your facility. Register as a HapiEmployer today to gain access to our highly-vetted gig workers.