Labor Planning
- How many employees are you hoping to hire?
- What is the cost to get each new employee up to speed?
- How long does it take to train new employees adequately?
Leverage Data from Previous Peak Shipping Seasons
Knowing what kind of volume your operation could see is important. The number of items you're processing plays a role in the number of employees you need, logistics planning, and what kind of equipment is necessary. Nobody has a crystal ball, but past years can be a great tool in preparing for the future. You can use last year's statistics from peak shipping season and projections from industry professionals to assess your needs and plan accordingly.
Rent or Purchase New Equipment
As you prepare for a possible tidal wave of orders, you might want to consider purchasing or renting equipment such as dimensioning systems. If your facility does a good job of processing your normal volume with your current dimensioning setup, renting additional dimensioning systems during peak shipping season is a great way to keep performing well during chaotic times. If you think your facility will continue seeing more volume in the future, buying another dimensioner is a good way to remain efficient for years to come.
Make the Most of Your Space
Warehouses don't have an unlimited amount of space. You need space to store products and equipment such as conveyors and dimensioners. You must also ensure you leave enough open space so forklift operators, AGVs, and other equipment can safely move around in the facility. You might feel the need to rent or purchase new equipment to prepare for peak shipping, but make sure you don't overdo it and cause issues due to lack of space.
Understand Timelines
Peak shipping season typically runs from October until early December because of Black Friday and Christmas. However, some operations may see another spike in activity in the form of returns after Christmas. Last year, returns increased by 23%. All of those returns will need to be processed by a warehouse. So before you let go of your seasonal help or return equipment rentals, you might want to wait and see if you get a surge of returns to process.
Conclusion
Peak shipping season is a challenge. However, it's also an opportunity for your operation to earn your customers' trust and strengthen relationships that can provide long-term benefits. Every operation seeks to perform well during peak shipping season. By preparing your labor force and putting the right technology and procedures in place, you'll position yourself to handle the whirlwind of peak shipping season.
