Whether you are starting a warehouse business or running a sales business that requires warehouse space, you will need to look into your warehouse options to grow your business. There are plenty of options when it comes to warehouses. For example, you can buy or rent an entire warehouse, or you can rent space within a working warehouse. If you buy a larger warehouse than what you need, you can start renting out warehouse space to other businesses looking to grow their operations. You may grow into a distribution center for multiple businesses. There is no limit to how much you can grow your business with the right warehouse space.
If you’ve never owned or rented a warehouse before, you may feel hesitant to jump in. You will need to learn a lot, including how to secure and protect your warehouse business. You will need to learn about logistics, management, and security if you don’t already have experience with these things. Here are three things you will need to know as you consider getting warehouse space to grow your business.
1. Secure space for the business you want, not the business you have.
When you are looking for warehouse space, focus on the business you are building, as opposed to the business you already have. Whether you are looking to rent space or build a warehouse, you don’t want to regret your decision a year down the road when you’re ready to expand and can’t do so in your current space. By thinking ahead, you will be investing in your future business and success. You need to make sure the warehouse you choose has plenty of storage space for your inventory needs, a work area to process online sales, office space for your warehouse managers to work your supply chain, and, if you plan to make any retail sale out of the warehouse, retail space.
2. Secure your investment.
The building may come with a security system that you can access. A warehouse camera system will provide 24-hour surveillance, the ability to record everything happening to the cloud so it cannot be lost or damaged, and the ability for law enforcement to be immediately notified when a possible break-in is happening. Security cameras also allow employers to monitor the work being done in the warehouse, and when there are accidents, the surveillance recordings can be reviewed as part of the investigation. As a warehouse tenant, you may need to talk to your landlord about your security system needs.
3. Get the right equipment.
Warehouse operations can be highly complex, working as both a storage facility and a supplier. You will need experienced and trained warehouse managers and the right warehouse equipment to support the work that needs to be done. For example, you will need proper loading and unloading equipment that works with the docks in the warehouse. You will need operators that know how to work the tow motors and other equipment. You will need scales, computer systems, and inventory checks that work to ensure your business is running smoothly at all times.
Getting the right space, properly securing that space, and getting the right equipment are three critical things you will need to look at to seriously grow your business with a warehouse. While there are a few warehouse storage solutions nowadays, at the end of the day, it is going to be on you to make a smart decision. While you may be eager to move forward, it is critical to do the research needed to understand exactly what you need and then be patient enough to find the space and equipment that is right for you. One way to enhance your research is to visit a warehouse company that is similar in size and ask to learn about their operation, so you can learn from their achievements and mistakes.
