Here are 5 ways that flexible materials handling solutions from Yale Lift Truck Technologies and its local, independent dealer partners can help your warehouse realise promising opportunities in the retail industry.
1. Optimise your warehouse space with high racking and narrow aisles
Where your retail warehouse needs more space, that can come at a price, with property costs at a premium. To increase SKU capacity, in some cases retailers are expanding their warehouses upwards rather than outwards, taking advantage of unused cubic space.
In this scenario, the Yale MR series Reach Truck may help businesses extend their reach higher. With its heavy-duty, high-capacity mast, it offers the next level in reach truck productivity, enabling storage and retrieval of goods at height. Furthermore, to facilitate fast cycle times, and more loads moved per hour, there is an optional travel speed of 14 km/h.
Another way to optimise your warehouse footprint and achieve greater overall space utilisation is to introduce additional racking, which can be achieved by reducing aisle width. Narrow aisles can be well served by the Yale MTC10-15 VNA. It is designed to maximise efficiency in high, narrow aisle configurations while providing stability and confidence all the way up to 16970mm high.
Whether you need to expand upwards or reconfigure your aisles, warehouse simulation software from Yale can also be used to help you plan your warehouse space in the most effective way, before you commit to change. It can also indicate the best choice and mix of lift trucks and other warehouse equipment, as well as planning efficient traffic flow.
2. Manage increased SKU capacity with variable height picking processes
Customers increasingly expect multiple options of goods, meaning more SKUs need to be held in stock.
Placement of SKUs within the warehouse is key. For instance, placing slower-moving SKUs above faster-moving ones may give more efficient access to frequently picked items. You can also add case flow lanes to pick lines to accommodate more SKUs.
Using variable height picking processes with multi-level order pickers may also help boost storage capacity and order fulfilment rates while improving your bottom line.
For instance, the Yale MO 10-25 series of low level order pickers are available with a fixed or lifting platform for first and second level picking. Yale low level order pickers also include a model with scissor lift and mast lift options.
The Yale MO10E, MO10, and MO10S medium and high level order pickers are well suited for comfortable, efficient order picking at higher levels. These models include supplementary lift and walk-on-platform or cage models, providing a precise application solution for your specific retail warehouse’s requirements.
3. Meeting fulfilment expectations
Same-day delivery has become a standard expectation. How can you beat the competition, and keep costs down? Speed and agility in your retail warehouse operation are imperative. You can meet demands by enhancing operator efficiency, both through advanced technologies and processes to put away and retrieve pallets faster.
For example, the reliable and highly efficient, Yale MS20XD platform double stacker may help increase picking rates and decrease cycle times as it is suitable for a range of applications in your retail distribution operations.
Operator performance can also be enhanced thanks to optimal load handling and manoeuvrability, as well as progressive speed control for lifting and lowering speeds which comes as standard.
4. Apply Yale solutions to retain talent and reduce staff turnover
If, like many retail and warehousing operations, you are struggling to fill open positions with qualified labour, you may be looking to redirect existing workers to more value-added tasks.
Supporting the human workforce can also be an important part of attracting and retaining talent for the longer term. For instance, offering advanced ergonomic lift truck and warehouse equipment solutions may help reduce musculoskeletal problems related to operation. All Yale materials handling equipment is ergonomically designed to help your operators feel supported and comfortable throughout their shifts.
The Yale Vision telematics solution can also help to build a positive working environment for your lift truck operators and other staff by simplifying tasks, such as daily checks, and helping to reinforce positive operator behaviour.
5. Work with your local independent Yale dealer
The network of Yale dealers is independent and local, enabling them to build lasting partnerships with customers, based on trust, knowledge, and capability. Your local Yale dealer can support your retail operation, by providing specific solutions for your warehouse’s needs, even as your operations change.
Being local, they offer the service and support based both on in-country knowledge and industry-specific expertise. Because they are independent, Yale dealers are not driven by manufacturing-led sales targets. Their focus is on listening to you the customer, understanding the challenges you face, and delivering the right solutions to suit your operation.
With industry insight, local knowledge, and intralogistics expertise, your local Yale dealer partner can provide consultation to help identify the right mix and type of trucks for your retail operation’s warehouse.
Find your local Yale dealer today
Learn more about the flexible Yale solutions for the retail industry - use our Yale dealer finder to locate and contact your local authorised dealer.
