Warehousing, as an important and essential part of the supply and production chain, not only helps in the optimal storage of raw materials, but also provides suitable conditions for maintaining the quality of the materials. Raw materials play an important role in the production of finished products, and the way these materials are stored will have a direct impact on the efficiency, quality, and costs of production. Therefore, the raw material warehouse must be managed in a way that, in addition to meeting production needs, prevents damage or spoilage of raw materials and at the same time complies with safety and health conditions. In this article, we have further examined the storage of raw materials, the characteristics of a suitable warehouse, ventilation and environmental conditions, how to arrange goods, and the importance of using warehouse management systems.
What is raw material storage?
A raw material warehouse is a space where unprocessed materials and raw materials required for the production of various products are stored and maintained. Raw material warehouses are an important part of the supply and production chain, and their main task is to maintain raw materials in proper conditions and supply them correctly to production lines.
Raw materials can include any type of material such as metals, plastics, wood, chemicals and paints, food, and other raw materials that are used as the basis for manufacturing finished products.
Raw material warehouses should be managed in such a way that, while providing accurate inventory statistics, the goods in the warehouse can be easily accessed at any time. Also, raw material warehouses are usually located near the production site so that the movement and transportation of products can be done better and faster.
What features should raw material storage have?
Raw material storage should have features, both in terms of physical design and management and storage, that, in addition to preventing raw materials from spoiling or spoiling, allow for optimal and effective storage. In fact, a warehouse that is used specifically for storing food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, etc. products is not a general warehouse because these raw materials have high sensitivity and reactivity, and it is necessary to observe and consider specific conditions and standards for proper storage and to prevent damage to these materials.
Some important features of raw material storage include:
Controlled environmental conditions
Some materials in raw material storage may be sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or light. For example, chemicals, food, or pharmaceuticals that require specific storage conditions and must be prevented from changing their quality or spoiling. Therefore, the warehouse must be equipped with controlled ventilation, temperature, and humidity systems.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
It is very important to use warehouse management systems such as WMS to record, track, and control raw material inventory. These systems help warehouse managers accurately record inventory, predict shortages, and prevent unnecessary or erroneous movements.
Ventilation and conditions of raw material warehouses
Ventilation and environmental conditions of raw material warehouses help maintain the quality and useful life of stored raw materials, and its proper adjustment based on the type of raw materials and their required conditions can prevent spoilage, damage, or changes in the quality of materials.
To establish proper ventilation and other environmental factors in raw material warehouses, it is necessary to observe the following points and items:
- Using thermometers and hygrometers in different parts of the warehouse
- Using guards such as nets at the inlet of ventilators
- Using warning systems such as sensors and thermostats to control environmental conditions, changes in temperature, humidity, air pollution, etc.
How to arrange goods in raw material storage
The appropriate and correct arrangement of goods in raw material storage not only helps reduce the time of movement and easy access to goods, but is also effective in improving storage conditions and optimizing warehouse space. In the following, some principles and methods of arranging goods in raw material storage are discussed:
- Category and arrangement based on various characteristics such as type, weight, expiration date and sensitivity to environmental conditions (such as temperature or humidity)
- Controlling the expiration date of raw materials in the warehouse and not keeping expired goods
- Do not place products and goods that have adverse effects on each other in close proximity
- Preventing the entry of goods and raw products without valid health permits
- Equipping a suitable and separate place for storing waste and returned goods
- Using the FIFO (First in, First Out) method: One of the important principles in arranging raw material storage and managing warehouse inventory is using the FIFO system. This method means that raw materials are placed in an orderly manner based on the time they arrive in the warehouse, from the beginning to the end, so that the first materials to arrive are the first materials to be used. This method is especially suitable for food and pharmaceutical materials, raw materials with a close expiration date, etc., and minimizes the possibility of their spoilage.
Conclusion
Proper warehouse design and layout, the use of advanced management systems such as WMS, and compliance with health and safety standards can help optimize the production process, reduce waste, and ensure the quality of products and raw materials in the warehouse. Also, compliance with ventilation principles, temperature and humidity control, and the use of efficient methods such as FIFO for inventory management are among the most important measures to maintain the quality of raw materials and keep them in optimal conditions. These things will reduce risks, improve productivity, and increase customer satisfaction in the long term. Saina Express warehousing services can help you in these situations.