How to Compensate for Labor Shortages in the Warehouse

According to a 2022 MHI-Deloitte report, 57% of respondents said that hiring and retaining qualified workers was the biggest supply chain challenge. While labor is certainly critical for an efficiently operating warehouse, there are ways to compensate for the shortage—some of which involve your pallet supply.  Here’s what you can do:

1. Standardize palletization: By implementing standardized palletization practices, warehouses can streamline the loading and unloading processes. Using uniform pallet sizes and configurations makes it easier for automated systems, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, to handle the movement of goods. This reduces the need for manual labor and increases overall efficiency.
2. Use pallet handling equipment: Pallet jacks, forklifts, and pallet stackers minimize the physical strain on workers. This equipment enables employees to move and position pallets more easily and quickly, reducing the labor required for tasks like pallet loading, unloading, and stacking.
3. Optimize pallet storage and retrieval: Efficient pallet storage and retrieval methods can help warehouses make the most of available space and reduce the time required for locating and accessing palletized goods. Implementing techniques like selective racking, double-deep racking, or automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) allows for better organization and faster handling of pallets, mitigating labor shortages.
4. Employ automation: Collaborative robots, or cobots, can be employed to assist with pallet handling tasks. These robots can work alongside human employees, performing repetitive or physically demanding tasks related to pallet movement, such as palletizing or depalletizing.
5. Try cross-docking: Unload incoming goods from inbound vehicles and immediately load onto outbound vehicles, without storing in the warehouse. This approach reduces the need for long-term storage and minimizes the labor required for inventory management and handling.

Want more tips? Contact the pros at Rose Pallet. We do more than sell pallets. We enjoy learning about our customers’ operations and developing solutions to streamline processes and increase overall productivity. Together we move the world!