Top Tips for Optimizing Lineside Storage in Your Facility

Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing are popular in the manufacturing world because they help save time and money. However, as customers increasingly want to personalize their products, manufacturers face challenges with space and efficiency.

For instance, in the car industry, buyers can now choose from a wide range of options and colors for their vehicles, unlike decades ago when choices were very limited. To manage this demand for customization without needing endless space or huge budgets, many manufacturers use a “just-in-time” approach, producing only what they need, when they need it.

Proper handling and storage of materials are key to keeping a business running smoothly. This helps reduce delays, cut costs, and boost productivity. One important part of this process is lineside storage, which means keeping materials and parts close to where they are needed on the production line. This makes it easier to access them and restock quickly when supplies run low. Let’s examine a few steps you can take to improve lineside storage in your facility, so you can boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

1. Evaluate Your Storage Practices

It’s a good idea to evaluate your storage practices before implementing lineside storage solutions. Examine your inventory levels and layout of your storage area with these questions in mind:

Are your materials and components organized well? Disorganization leads to lost items and inefficiencies.

• Does it take a long time to access your stored components and materials?
• Are you using all of those components and materials?
• Is there enough storage space to meet your present and future needs?

By examining these areas, you can identify where you can improve your lineside storage process.

2. Implement Just-In-Time Strategies

To manage your inventory better, use just-in-time manufacturing. This means having parts arrive right when you need them, which helps you avoid unnecessary items lying around. Organizing materials by type, size, and usage makes it easier to find what you need. Good inventory organization saves money, speeds up restocking, and simplifies tracking what you have.

3. Use FIFO Systems

A FIFO (First-In, First-Out) system is an effective way to manage storage by using older items first. This helps reduce waste and keeps products from going out of date. To set up FIFO, you can organize items by their production or expiration dates, label them, and even use pick-to-light systems to avoid mistakes. FIFO strategies are beneficial for many applications in warehouses and industrial facilities, as they improve efficiency and save money, helping businesses operate smoothly while boosting profits.

4. Optimize Floor Space

Making efficient use of floor space can be a game-changer. UNEX storage and picking systems from FlexMation allow you to store and easily access more materials while using less space. This provides more floor space for manufacturing and can lower labor costs by reducing the time employees need to access materials.

5. Assess and Adjust

When making changes to how you store supplies near your production line, it’s important to keep an eye on how things are going and make adjustments as needed. Regularly check your inventory levels and see how well your storage methods are working. It’s also a good idea to ask the workers who are on the production line every day for their opinions. They can offer helpful suggestions about what’s effective and what could be better. By continually monitoring and tweaking your storage practices, you can make sure everything runs more smoothly.

Trust FlexMation for Custom or Pre-Engineered Lineside Storage Solutions

At FlexMation, we aim to be trusted partners – allies who advance your manufacturing performance and help you do your job better, safer, faster, and smarter. Need a FIFO rack quickly? Roller Rack Quick Ship is the answer! These pre-engineered 8’x8′ flow racks are perfect for lineside storage, warehousing, or kitting, and ship out in just a week. Add-on bays and extra levels are also available. Contact us today to learn more or click here to order now.