An Integrated and Lean Approach to Warehouse Design by Optimization of Material Handling, Space and Labor Requirements

Abstract

Despite much research having been done in the area of warehouse design that relies upon the accumulated expertise of practitioners, an approach from fundamentals of all the constituent factors has been the need of the hour. A model for designing the warehouse has been developed for better facility logistics using data and processes and for formulating and evaluating design alternatives which can be used by industry segments such as P/M, Automobile and Service. Data analysis and forecasting is very crucial in the first stage of warehouse design process. A rule for defining the warehouse principle and some trade-offs has been discussed. The number of cartons to be stored, their orientation, number of stacks horizontally and vertically and required surface area for the storage is incorporated.