Running an e-commerce business is not easy. You manage several aspects of your business, such as marketing, product development, resource management, and, most importantly, the supply chain. The supply chain process encompasses various moving parts that work together to complete the entire fulfillment process. One wrong step in the entire supply chain process can directly have a negative impact on the business growth. This is where warehouses jump into the game. A warehousing company takes charge of handling the entire supply chain process and allowing you to focus on the other parts of your business. In this article, we’ll discuss more about a warehousing company and how they help optimize the e-commerce business supply chain.
An Introduction to Ecommerce Warehousing
E-commerce warehousing means outsourcing all the supply chain-associated tasks to a third-party 3PL or warehouse company. A warehouse company provides storage service for inventory, including picking, packing, and order delivery. Additionally, the company takes charge of safely and securely storing products and tracks the shipment of all orders. Let’s learn more about the fundamental operations of a warehouse company.
Storing and Managing Inventory
Whether a large or a small business, a warehouse offers adequate storage space to store all the products and goods in an organized way. They not only store but make sure to maintain the quality of stock and prevent it from damage. Regular inspection and quality checks are performed to manage all the delicate items accurately. Additionally, the inventory is stored in a way that can be easily accessible during the time of picking & packing.
Orders Picking & Packing
Based on customer demand, warehouse workers pick items from the storage area and pack them appropriately. They verify the items before packing to ensure there is no defective or dead stock. Accurate order packing is essential to avoid customer disappointment, exchange rates, and order returns. Most warehouses use kitting and assembly services to streamline the entire process. Kitting involves bundling items together to create a finished product sold as a single item. On the other hand, assembly involves putting together a product, raw materials, and sub-assemblies in a warehouse.
Order Shipment & Delivery
Once the orders are ready to ship, workers start loading them onto transportation sources such as dock trucks, air transportation, etc. The warehouse management then uses tracking systems to track the entire shipment process. This is important to ensure the orders are delivered appropriately to the customer’s location.
Training Warehouse Staff
Experienced workers, the HR team, and managers ensure staff members are trained actively. The training helps employees understand how to safely and accurately work with the equipment, follow safety protocols, and recognize hazards. This can help prevent minor or threatening injuries and accidents.
Benefits of Partnering With a Warehousing Company
Faster Delivery of Orders
By partnering with a warehouse, you can ensure that orders are delivered to the customer’s location in a timely manner without any hassle. Faster and more accurate order delivery leads to high customer satisfaction, increased sales, reduced returns, and more.
Proper Organization of Inventory
A warehouse distribution company primarily focuses on providing ample storage for raw materials, products, and heavy equipment. They organize inventory to maintain high quality, especially perishable goods, for extended periods.
Technology Benefits
The majority of well-developed warehouses use advanced technologies to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Here’s an overview:
- Inventory Management Systems: To track inventory, predict stock demand for the future, be aware of stockouts, etc.
- Warehouse Management Systems: To manage inventory, optimize resource usage, automate processes, scale operations, etc.
Less Return Rates
Accurate delivery of orders and fulfilled expectations of a customer reduce the risk of returns rates (which businesses experience when incorrect orders are delivered to customers).
Collaborating with a Warehousing Company
While a warehouse offers many benefits regarding supply chain operations, you must look for a reliable warehousing company that uses advanced technologies and services, as discussed above. Explore the online websites of some well-developed warehousing companies in Canada or book a consultation to learn more about their warehouse distribution services. Additionally, ask for recommendations from other businesses partnering with a specific warehousing company. By researching and seeking recommendations, you can find the best warehouse to manage your supply chain efficiently and help your business reach new heights.
To Summarize
From storing to managing inventory and delivering orders accurately and timely, warehouses are integral to the success of the supply chain. Implementing cutting-edge technologies and services helps streamline every critical operation, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Additionally, advanced warehouse services like kitting, assembly, and tailored packaging improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain. By preparing products precisely according to order requirements, warehouses help reduce returns and strengthen customer trust. So, if you’re also running an e-commerce business and dealing with the hassle of order fulfillment, search and partner with the best warehousing company today.