Planning Tips & Schedule for Your Warehouse Relocation
Keep Your Warehouse Relocation on Track with This Helpful Checklist
Ready, set, move –except we all know it’s not that simple. Warehouse relocation is a huge, expensive task with hopefully a big payoff of better efficiency, more capacity, safer working conditions, and more.
However, controlling your relocation budget is a concern, and that’s where great planning can help keep those costs down and get production up and running fast. Careful planning of each step of the process before any cord is unplugged or truck packed will help ensure a successful move.
Pre-Move Planning
◻ Evaluate what is working and not working in your current space.
◻ Configure new space to meet your needs today and plan for future growth.
◻ Clean out – purge offices, eliminate deadstock, and remove obsolete equipment.
◻ Research & secure permits — download our expert tips for a smooth permitting process.
◻ Understand zoning requirements and restrictions –even if you are staying in the same area, regulations may have changed over time.
◻ Schedule & connect utilities to be operational before your installation crew arrives.
◻ Establish inventory intake staging, storage, and warehouse processes to get your operation up and running quickly.
◻ Prepare your address change process –printed materials, website, google maps, phone messages, email signatures, contact list, e.g.
◻ Redirect inbound shipments. NOTE: suppliers may need several months to comply. Contact them as early as possible with the new address to ensure you have the inventory and materials you need to be operational from your new home.
That may seem like a long list, but recognize that it will deliver the space your business needs –and you are not alone. The Apex team is here to help take the burden off and offer full-service support from warehouse design and engineering, including mezzanines, pallet racking, pick & pack stations, modular rooms & office spaces, intake and loading dock configuration, etc. We also offer expert project management to deal with permits and scheduling and professional installers experienced in all types of warehouse structures.
Warehouse Relocation – Making the Move
Hopefully, if you’ve done your preplanning, the move will go smoothly. However, there are still a lot of big and small steps to be accomplished as the process unfolds. Use the checklist below as a guide.
◻ Schedule rack dismantle, reassembly, and new systems with professional warehouse installers. Using an experienced crew is a way to prevent unnecessary delays, construction errors, and workplace hazards.
◻ Remove old pallet racking that you are not repurposing. If you work with Apex, we will purchase, dismantle, and take away your old rack for repurposing –it’s an easy, economical way to clear your old space.
◻ Install all storage and material handling systems. If you’re working with a professional crew, they will schedule each system erection in an order that makes sense from a practical (space, labor, & equipment) and safety standpoint.
◻ Set up office operations – offices, workrooms, personnel areas. Modular office spaces are a cost-effective way to add customized workspaces to your new facility.
◻ Establish theft protections –inventory is most vulnerable during this stage. See below for Loss Prevention tips.
◻ Train team to prohibit damage –better to be careful than fast. Ensure you’ve allocated your senior management team to oversee critical areas of the move, such as inventory and resource relocation.
◻ Reduce downtime by moving existing inventory AFTER operations have begun at the new facility –i.e., run on a bit of overlap during the transition.
◻ Communicate the move plans with your team and define shifts and roles to ensure you have the team on hand to handle each aspect of the project.
Special Note – Loss Prevention & Warehouse Safety
Two of the most vulnerable parts during this stage of warehouse relocation are loss prevention and warehouse safety.
One way to address loss prevention is to assign workers to inventory zones. Plastic wrapping and packing, unpacking, and inspection should be done by select personnel to ensure more effective tracking, and an easy-to-follow trail should something go awry. Also, using consecutive coding will make it easier to find missing items.
Equally important is coordinating the moving parts and symphony of schedules to come together safely. Apex professional project managers and warehouse installation teams are experienced at working while operations are running. We work closely with you to create an organized schedule for each aspect of the move. We will also purchase and remove existing pallet racking that you are not repurposing.
Call Apex to talk about your warehouse relocation plans. Let us help take the pressure off and get your new facility up and running as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
