5 Warehouse Trends To Keep Ahead of the Curve

For your eCommerce business, having a well-designed warehousing infrastructure is critical. Check out these 2022 trends to keep an eye on.

The contemporary warehouse is getting a makeover in the aftermath of the pandemic. Due to increased eCommerce sales and limited capacity, warehouses use new technologies and procedures to meet demand. Here are five warehouse trends that keep you ahead of the Curve:

1. On-Demand Warehousing Creates Storage Capacity

Modern warehouses are turning to on-demand warehousing to expand their storage capacity. Like Airbnb for warehouses, shared warehousing leverages innovative app techniques to monetize space. The pay-as-you-go concept accommodates the fluctuating needs of shippers who require space on a short-term basis without making long-term commitments.

2. Automation Ramps Up

Is it possible for machines to perform all of the tasks? Fully automated warehouses are still a decade away, but automation is increasingly being used in other parts of the supply chain.

Automated sorting, pallet shuttling, and stacker cranes are on their way. Warehouses, for example, can enhance throughput and storage density without sacrificing productivity by using automated shuttle systems.

Soda businesses utilize an automated pallet shuttle system at their plants to store large volumes of different products. These systems can handle many SKUs while saving space and time without losing accuracy or speed.

3. Transparent Shipping through the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a big part of new warehouse technology trends and gives a simultaneous picture of inventory and capacity. Any object with IoT characteristics becomes a network-connected node. Another way it can share data and connect to other web systems.

Adding IoT sensors to shipments, for example, gives warehouses real-time visibility and consumers monitoring transparency. Future warehouses benefit from IoT technology in the following ways:

• Identify risks in the supply chain

• Foster communication between supply chain partners

• Minimize damage and loss of goods

• Improved inventory management

• Real-time updates on weather and port delays

Smart warehouses of the future will be built on management systems integrated with IoT. From drones to autonomous vehicles, the Internet of Things allows technology to communicate with one another and share data with warehouse workers.

4. Modern Warehouses Building

The cost of real estate near shipping ports is high. As a result, warehouses are being built up rather than out to increase storage capacity without breaking new ground.

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Instead of the standard 20-foot clear height, modern warehouses are being built and refurbished with 40-foot clear heights. In densely populated places, raising the ceiling is a cost-effective way to add much-needed square footage.

In the meantime, remodeling provides an opportunity to incorporate new technology. Unlike regular forklifts, automated pallet systems, as indicated above, can be constructed to reach these higher 40-ft clear heights. Because of the convergence of modern warehouse design and technology, it is more desirable for warehouses to introduce new processes to increase capacity.

5. Warehousing Goes Green

"Green warehousing" assists logistics firms in reducing costs and gaining consumer trust. Warehouses have experienced an influx of energy-efficient equipment and practices in recent years, including:

• Solar panels

• LED lighting

• Cool-roof systems

• Skylights

• Green building materials

These are also marketable practices. Customers are increasingly aligning their spending with their values, which means that companies that promote their green supply chains can increase sales and loyalty.

Conclusion

The warehouse industry is constantly evolving, and if you want to stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to be aware of the latest trends. We’ve outlined five warehouse trends that you need to watch out for in 2022. If you’re a 3pl looking for warehouse management solutions, Conveyr has you covered. Our cloud-based platform makes managing your warehouses easier than ever before. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help streamline your operations.

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