As the global supply chain is increasing warehouses nowadays are in high demand and are an important aspect of the logistics value chain, as logistics management is serving as the node that allows commodities to be collected, sorted, and distributed along the supply chain. We will credit the increase in demand for smart warehouses for this increase in market size. These warehouses employ IoT to track products and are built with materials that help improve supply chain management efficiency and speed. As a result, we must note all the variables that must be considered during warehouse construction for it to be sustainable and durable enough to fulfill modern requirements.
To begin, you'll need to figure out where your consumer base is located. Here are some questions to ponder: Do we have a national presence? Is there a particular area or region where most of our target market lives? What is the makeup of our customer base?
These inquiries are critical as a first step because your company must be close to your demand. By locating your warehouse near your clients, you may save money on transportation, shorten delivery times, and even reduce inventory, all of which will help your company become more profitable and penetrate the market faster.
You'll want to make a list of the best warehouse locations and properties. The cost of purchasing an existing structure vs designing and developing your plant differs significantly. This, however, may be contingent on the uniqueness of your warehousing facilities. If most current building alternatives require extensive renovations, a greenfield site may be a superior choice. Dock upgrades, increasing the ceilings of a structure with low clear heights, electrical wiring concerns, HVAC and plumbing, and roof repairs are all pricey building updates to avoid.
A labor market study is one of the most important, if not the most important, steps. What good is your facility if you can't keep talented employees or hire enough to meet your production and utilization targets? As a result, conducting thorough research of area demographics to determine present and future workforce availability that matches the skill sets is critical to assuring a dependable and experienced staff.
The necessity of protecting our environment and decreasing dangerous waste is growing, and pollution restrictions are becoming more stringent. As a result, your supply chain operation must prepare for two scenarios. The first is how you intend to safeguard your employees' health and your plant's environmental impact. Second, you should know the regulations in your area that govern the cost of permitting, disposal, and mitigation.
Building codes, permitting, zoning, and environmental impact will all need to be carefully calculated. Local laws and regulations governing building permits are stringent and differ by location. As a result, the building codes section of your state government's website is a great place to start. However, because this phase is time-consuming and subject to yearly revisions and modifications, it is always a good idea to consult with an environmental and/or legal help agent to study the current legislation.
Planning and selecting a warehouse location is a time-consuming procedure that involves much study and analysis. You want to put your company on a path to success by removing any potential roadblocks. While following the stages described will aid you in your site selection process, most of them will cause expert consulting, experience, and connections. We're here to support you no matter where you are; please contact BuildMyInfra if you have questions!