CUSTOMIZED SLOTTING AND MAINTENANCE
38 Years of Proven Slotting Strategy
Slotting is a dynamic process which is very important to get right and maintain. Best-of-Breed companies that implement logical slotting and maintain it on an ongoing basis, based on the right operating and layout strategy, are always more productive in both direct and indirect labor functions.
Significant cost saving opportunities can be realized with proper slotting. Labor and employee turnover are the major expenses in most DC operations while picking is the activity that consumes the greatest majority of labor resources. KSi historical benchmarking surveys indicate that selection hours make up anywhere between 53%-58% of the total direct labor. Pick line length has straightforward productivity implications and should be measured and refined as seasonality or business changes. Keeping a close eye on selection rates, as a guage to the bottom line productivity, is highly recommended.
Additional and related opportunities resulting from proper slotting;
Putaway
Replenishment
Loading
Reduced shorts
Maximized storage capacity
Improved Ergonomics
Minimized product damage at warehouse and in transit
Reduced mispicks
To maximize these opportunities, developing the strategy for slotting is the most appropriate for your operation is the key starting point.
The slotting strategy, also known as operating strategy, is predicated on the layout concept, while application of the layout concept is determined by the specific warehouse dimensions and set of constraints for a given operation.
As such, there is an inherent suitabliity of certain strategy alternatives over others for a given operation, which is not immediately obvious without a rigourous comparative evaluation of viable alternatives, in regards to both layout concepts and their corresponding operating or slotting strategy options.
Top 10 Items That Influence Your Productivity
Order Size
Pick Line Length
Hit Rate/Density
Slotting Strategies & Product Placement
Rack & Aisle Layout Configuration
Material Handling Equipment & Methods
Building Height & Rack Elevations
Product FLow & Traffic Patterns
Dock Size & Configuration
Ergonomics / Mechanization / Automation
Optimal Slotting Strategy
The slotting strategy, also known as operating strategy, is predicated on the layout concept, while application of the layout concept is determined by the specific warehouse dimentions and set ooncstraints for a given operation.
As such, there is an inherent suitability of certain strategy alternatives over others for a given operation, which is not immediately obvious without a rigorous comparative evaluation of viable alternatives in regards to both layout concepts and their corresponding operating or slotting strategy options.
Slotting Questions:
So, what is slotting?
What is optimal slotting?
How do you determine the optimal slot type?
How do you perform slot-type refinement?
What is the best picking method (Z, U, Crossaisle)?
How do you determine the correct logic and priorities?
What's involved in final slotting with off-the-shelf software vs. a customized program?
How long does it take to develop the right operating and layout strategy and move from stragic to final slotting?
What is the best-practice slot maintenance appraoch?
