Warehouses are often seen as a necessary evil: places that stop the flow of goods and thus increase costs without adding value. But the truth is that they have a critical part to play in supply chain management, and warehouse managers should be centrally involved in the strategic aspects of any business. Excellence in Warehouse Management covers everything you need to know to manage warehouse operations as part of a streamlined and holistic system, fine-tuned to serve the customer and drive the bottom-line. With thinking points, self-assessment exercises and case studies Stuart Emmett challenges you to consider your own operations in a new way, and plot a course into the future.

Warehouses are often seen as a necessary evil: places that stop the flow of goods and thus increase costs without adding value. But the truth is that they have a critical part to play in supply chain management, and warehouse managers should be centrally involved in the strategic aspects of any business.Excellence in Warehouse Management covers everything you need to know to manage warehouse operations as part of a streamlined and holistic system, fine-tuned to serve the customer and drive the bottom-line. With thinking points, self-assessment exercises and case studies Stuart Emmett challenges you to consider your own operations in a new way, and plot a course into the future.

Introduction ixAbbreviations xiAcknowledgements xv1: The Role of Warehousing and Stores 1Warehousing and the supply chain 1Training topics 2Definitions 4Strategic aspects of warehousing 5Customers 7The value chain 9Warehouse location 12Modern warehouse operations 14World-class warehousing 21Conclusion 242: Inventory, Stock Analysis and Classifying Products 25Product classification 25Demand analysis 26ABC analysis 30Product coding 34Product handling groups 34Inventory management: why hold stock? 35Inventory costs and service 37Lead time 41Demand forecasting 46Inventory and statistics 48How much stock should be held? 51Replenishment methods 54Questions about inventory 65Appendix 723: Stock Control 75Stock inaccuracy 75Continuous or periodic stock checking 77Stock control 79Security and preventing loss 81Information security 84Training topics 864: The Warehouse and Operational Principles 88Warehouse structure 88Warehouse operations 90Receiving 91Location methods in the warehouse 96Picking options 97Customer orders 99Methods of picking 100Despatching activity 110Organising for flow 1115: Equipment 112Fork-lift trucks 112Racking/shelving 119The aisle width decision 1256: Warehouse Information Communications Technology 128Importance of information 128Decision-making and ICT 132Improvements with ICT 133Warehouse ICT applications 134Systems implementation 1497: Regulations 153Health and safety at work 153Management of health and safety 154Health and safety arrangements 158Warehouse health and safety risks 160Risk assessments 164Fork-lift trucks: health and safety 1668: Productivity, Cost and Service 173Framework for analysis 173Key costs 174Key productivity drivers 176Basic improvements 179Understanding productivity 189Determining pricing and charging 192Customer service 195Added value 203Warehouse layout 208Training topics 2109: Outsourcing 212Users' views of third parties and the marketplace 212Selecting third parties 220Training topics 22510: People Management 227Company culture 227Management 231Work objectives and performance 235Motivating people 245Empowering 251Teams 252Communication 254Managing change 255Warehouse picking operatives 262Training topics 26411: Developments and Trends 268Supply chain impacts on stores and warehousing 268Global logistics 270Reverse logistics and customer returns 271Risk 277Roads 278Legislation 279Technology 279People development 279Political influences 280The supply chain 282Warehouse aims/ideals 286Useful Information and Websites 288Bibliography 290Index 292