Question 1

How can we improve dock flow and shipping performance?

Accepted Answer

Start by analyzing current bottlenecks, then redesign traffic lanes, staging space, and equipment. Upgrading to air-powered dock levelers, smart locks, high-speed doors, and conveyor or pallet-flow lines from pack stations cuts dwell time. Add clear floor striping, LED dock lights, and real-time WMS integration to boost shipping throughput and safety.

Dock congestion often starts with a layout that forces workers and lift trucks to compete for space. Warehouse Cubed begins with warehouse consulting services and a CAD-based warehouse layout design. Our consultants map inbound and outbound paths, right-size staging areas, and set one-way traffic lanes so trailers turn faster. If floor space is tight, we reposition high-velocity SKUs into pallet racking systems or carton-flow lanes close to the doors.

Next, we recommend material handling equipment that speeds every move. Air-powered or hydraulic dock levelers, dock seals, trailer locks, and LED dock lights create a safer, all-weather interface. Adding high-speed doors and HVLS fans keeps temperatures comfortable and energy costs down. For sites that load mixed pallet heights, yard ramps and dock lifts maintain an ergonomic work height while protecting workers.

To shrink travel time between packing and shipping, we integrate conveyor systems and other material handling systems, powered roller beds, or pallet-flow tunnels that feed cartons directly to each door. Automatic stretch wrappers, print-and-apply labeling, and optional AS/RS shuttles transform manual touches into warehouse automation solutions. Our team links these tools to your WMS so supervisors see door status, labor usage, and carrier cut-off times in real time.

Finally, a warehouse safety audit adds floor striping, guardrails, wheel chocks, and dock bumpers—warehouse safety equipment that prevents accidents and downtime. The result is a smoother, safer dock flow that boosts orders-per-door per hour, reduces detention fees, and supports broader warehouse optimization and distribution center optimization.

Question 2

How can we reduce picking errors and improve pick accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Reduce picking errors by combining smarter warehouse layout, clear labeling, and targeted automation. Warehouse Cubed’s optimization team places high-velocity SKUs in ergonomic pick zones, installs carton-flow or conveyor modules, integrates WMS-driven pick-to-light, and reinforces processes with safety audits and training—cutting touches and boosting pick accuracy.

Warehouse Cubed attacks pick accuracy on three fronts: people, process, and place.

First, our warehouse consulting services map how orders flow today and capture mis-pick data. Using that insight, we redesign the warehouse layout so high-velocity SKUs live in dedicated pick modules or carton-flow rack at waist height, while bulky pallets remain in selective or push-back racking. Shorter travel paths and ergonomic reaches mean fewer key-stroke and counting mistakes.

Next, we layer in easy-to-read location labels, color-coded line-striping, and safety way-finding so associates always know the right bay and level. During a warehouse safety audit we also repair damaged pallet racking and add guardrails to keep product, people, and scanners where they belong.

Finally, we integrate technology that prevents errors before they happen. Conveyor systems with accumulation zones present one order at a time; pick-to-light, voice, or scanner prompts tied to your WMS check each scan against real-time inventory; and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) deliver the exact tote to the operator, eliminating guesswork. Our material handling systems integration team ensures every sensor, display, and software handshake works from day one.

Clients typically see faster lines-per-hour and sustained pick accuracy, giving distribution centers confidence to promise same-day shipping without costly returns.

Question 3

How do I know if I need warehouse consulting services or just new equipment?

Accepted Answer

Choose warehouse consulting services when your challenges go beyond a single piece of equipment—for example, chronic congestion, poor pick paths, or fast growth that demands a full operational redesign. If you simply need to replace an aging rack, conveyor, or forklift, new equipment alone may solve the problem.

Warehouse consulting services make sense when the root cause of slow throughput or lost space is unclear or touches several functions. Typical red flags include:

floor area blocked by overflow pallets
Pickers walking more than they pick
Frequent forklift traffic jams or near-misses
Rising labor costs outpacing order volume
Upcoming SKU or ecommerce growth with no clear expansion plan

In these cases, Warehouse Cubed begins with a warehouse safety audit and layout design review. Our consultants map product flow, slotting, labor steps, and safety hazards, then model warehouse optimization scenarios. Recommendations may pair new pallet racking systems, conveyor systems, or automated storage and retrieval systems with process changes and material handling systems integration. The result is a roadmap that boosts capacity, accuracy, and safety before you spend on hardware.

If your operation runs well and only one asset is worn or undersized—say damaged selective rack, a slow stretch wrapper, or a missing guard rail—purchasing replacement material handling equipment is faster and cheaper than a full study.

Still unsure? We offer a quick discovery call; if we see that a single piece of equipment will fix the issue, we’ll tell you. When the data shows broader warehouse automation solutions or redesign is required, our team delivers a phased plan that matches your budget and future growth goals.

Question 4

What are the most common causes of congestion in a distribution center layout?

Accepted Answer

Distribution center congestion usually stems from tight or poorly planned aisles, mismatched storage and picking zones, excess inventory near dock doors, limited staging space, and manual material-handling routes that cross. Addressing layout design, rack configuration, and automated material flow eliminates these bottlenecks.

Congestion happens when people, pallets, and lift trucks compete for the same space. The most frequent root causes include:

1. Oversized or poorly sequenced receiving and shipping zones crowd dock doors, causing staging to spill into aisles.

2. Narrow or dead-end aisles created by ad-hoc rack additions slow two-way traffic and make passing impossible.

3. High-velocity SKUs stored far from pick and pack areas, forcing long travel paths that intersect with truck lanes.

4. Mixed pallet and case-pick storage forcing operators to change equipment mid-route.

5. Seasonal volume surges without temporary overflow plans.

6. Lack of conveyor or sortation, so associates hand-carry totes through common walkways.

Warehouse Cubed’s warehouse consulting services start with a data-driven warehouse layout design that separates pedestrian and forklift traffic, widens critical aisles, and balances slotting by velocity. Our team integrates material handling systems such as conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, and high-density pallet racking systems to shorten travel, reduce touch points, and free up dock space.

We also perform warehouse safety audits and pallet rack repair to ensure damaged steel doesn’t create impromptu detours that block flow. By combining warehouse optimization and warehouse automation solutions, clients typically reclaim their floor area and boost order throughput without expanding the building.

Question 5

What data do you need from us to start a warehouse consulting project?

Accepted Answer

To kick off our warehouse consulting services, we ask for high-level facility drawings, current inventory and SKU velocity, inbound/outbound volumes, labor numbers, and a summary of your pain points and goals. With these baseline metrics, Warehouse Cubed can model layout options, right-size equipment, and propose an ROI-driven optimization plan.

Warehouse Cubed starts every warehouse optimization project with clear, actionable data. Sharing the facts below lets our warehouse consulting services team build accurate capacity models and timelines before we set foot on site. The result is a faster quotation, fewer surprises, and a high-impact plan you can execute with confidence.

Facility facts: current address, building dimensions, clear height, column spacing, dock count and positions, sprinkler or fire-code limits, and any available CAD drawings. This information guides our warehouse layout design specialists when slotting new pallet racking systems, mezzanines, or conveyor paths inside your footprint.

Inventory and throughput: total SKUs, cube sizes, average and peak units received, picked, and shipped per day; order profiles (eaches, cases, pallets); seasonal swings; and year-ahead growth targets. We also review labor headcount, shift schedules, travel paths, and hourly rates to quantify savings opportunities during distribution center optimization.

Systems snapshot: a list of existing material handling equipment, rack conditions, conveyor controls, WMS or ERP platforms, and recent safety audit findings. Finally, outline your pain points, budget range, timeline, and interest in warehouse automation solutions such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). This holistic picture lets our material handling systems integration team recommend phased upgrades that deliver quick ROI while keeping future expansion in mind.

See our Warehouse Optimization and Integration pages for more information.

Question 6

What does a warehouse consulting engagement typically include?

Accepted Answer

A typical warehouse consulting engagement from Warehouse Cubed starts with an onsite assessment, progresses to data-driven layout and process redesign, delivers clear recommendations for rack, automation, and safety improvements, then provides project management, installation oversight, and ongoing support—giving you a measurable, scalable roadmap for warehouse optimization and cost savings.

Warehouse consulting services with Warehouse Cubed follow a proven roadmap.

1. Discovery & data gathering – expert consultants walk the floor, review KPIs and inventory mix, and talk with your team to pinpoint pain points.

2. Analysis & CAD layout design – we model alternate footprints in 2D/3D and test traffic flow to uncover space, labor, and safety gains.

3. Solution engineering – expect clear recommendations for pallet rack systems, conveyor lines, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), smart warehouse systems, safety equipment, and other warehouse automation solutions.

4. Implementation & project management – our team secures permits, sources material handling equipment, and oversees installation, integration, and system validation while keeping your operation running.

5. Training, maintenance & continuous improvement – after go-live we instruct your staff, perform rack inspections and repairs, and can run follow-up warehouse safety audits to ensure the design keeps pace with growth.

The result is a turnkey blueprint built around warehouse optimization, supply chain automation, and long-term scalability—without costly trial-and-error. Learn more about our warehouse layout design or heavy-duty rack systems.

Question 7

What is material handling consulting, and what systems do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Material handling consulting is the professional review and redesign of how goods are received, stored, moved, and shipped in your facility. Warehouse Cubed’s specialists audit your space and data, then plan, supply, and install the right mix of pallet racking, conveyors, AS/RS, automation, smart IT, mezzanines, safety gear, and repairs.

Warehouse Cubed’s material handling consulting service is your one-stop path to warehouse optimization. We combine nearly two decades of warehouse consulting services with CAD design, data analysis, and hands-on integration to raise throughput, cut costs, and boost safety.

How the process works

1. Discovery – We walk your floor, study order profiles, and listen to goals.

2. Layout design – Using 2D/3D CAD we create a more efficient warehouse layout.

3. Systems selection – Our team matches the right material handling equipment to each zone.

4. Installation & support – We manage permits, installation, training, and long-term maintenance.

Systems we cover

Pallet racking systems: selective, push-back, drive-in, cantilever, carton flow, and adjustable rack repair kits.
Conveyor systems: gravity, belt, accumulation, and sortation lines.
Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and other warehouse automation solutions such as shuttles, robots, and vertical lift modules.
Smart Warehouse Systems: low-voltage cabling, Wi-Fi, access control, and WMS evaluation/integration for real-time visibility.
Modular in-plant offices and freestanding mezzanines that add space fast.
Warehouse safety audits and protective guarding, guardrails, netting, labels, and line striping.
Industrial storage solutions like shelving, cantilever racks, and ergonomic lifting gear.

By tying these systems together with material handling systems integration, Warehouse Cubed delivers distribution center optimization that scales with future growth. The result is faster order fulfillment, safer workflows, and a lower cost per shipment—all from a veteran-owned partner committed to your success.

Question 8

What is warehouse capacity planning and how do you estimate growth needs?

Accepted Answer

Warehouse capacity planning is the systematic process of matching a facility’s available cubic space to present and projected inventory and throughput. By analyzing SKU counts, order trends, seasonality, and storage density, you create data-driven forecasts that pinpoint when and where you’ll need added racks, automation, or layout changes to keep growth on track.

Effective warehouse capacity planning starts with a detailed baseline. Measure current cubic utilization, SKU mix, inventory turns, and pick and put velocity.

Warehouse Cubed’s warehouse consulting services begin with a facility walk-through and data audit. We map every pallet position in CAD. Using historical and forecasted order profiles, our team models several warehouse storage solutions—from tighter pallet racking systems to automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). We stress-test each layout against peak weeks, anticipated SKU growth, and service-level goals. That process reveals your “capacity cliff,” the date when demand will outstrip space or throughput.

Next we create a roadmap tailored specifically for your situation. Phase one may re-slot fast movers and add robust industrial storage solutions such as high-density rack or flow lanes. Phase two can integrate conveyor systems or pick modules. Later phases might use vertical space with modular in-plant offices or mezzanines. Every stage shows capital, labor, and safety impacts so you can budget with confidence. Because we handle design, material handling systems integration, installation, and ongoing pallet rack repair, the same partner stays accountable as your volume scales.

We also update the model each year—or sooner if a new product line arrives—to keep distribution center optimization aligned with actual sales, returns, and e-commerce peaks. Safety audits verify that every plan maintains OSHA compliance as capacity rises. When your forecast points to automation, our supply chain automation team sizes goods-to-person stations and robotics to your projected order volume. This proactive warehouse efficiency consulting prevents last-minute moves and protects cash flow.

Question 9

What KPIs should I track to measure warehouse optimization?

Accepted Answer

Warehouse optimization KPIs include order cycle time, pick accuracy, lines-per-labor-hour, dock-to-stock time, inventory turnover, space utilization, equipment uptime, and recordable incident rate. Tracking these metrics lets you spot bottlenecks, justify automation, and measure ROI on layout, storage, and safety improvements delivered by Warehouse Cubed.

Start with throughput and service metrics. Order cycle time (receipt to ship) and on-time ship rate show how smoothly orders flow. Improvements like warehouse automation solutions such as conveyor systems or pick modules cut delays.

Quality metrics such as pick accuracy or order accuracy (error percentage) reveal the effect of process changes and labeling upgrades on customer satisfaction. Labor metrics (lines per labor hour or cost per order) show how well your team uses time; automation solutions and ergonomic material handling equipment can lift these numbers without adding headcount.

Inventory metrics matter, too. Dock-to-stock time and inventory turnover highlight receiving speed and cash tied up in stock. Optimized pallet racking systems and revised pick zones shorten travel distance and free capital. Space utilization (used cubic feet ÷ available cubic feet) flags when you need higher-density storage, not a larger building. Our warehouse layout design specialists use 3D modeling to raise utilization before recommending capital projects.

Don’t overlook safety and asset health: recordable incident rate, equipment uptime, and rack damage frequency protect people and keep product moving. Warehouse Cubed’s warehouse consulting services benchmark these KPIs, then design end-to-end warehouse optimization plans—from material handling systems integration to warehouse safety audits—that drive measurable gains. Regular KPI dashboards let you prove ROI and keep improvement on track.

Warehouse Consulting