What Are the Different Types of Warehouses That Exist Today?
When most people think about a warehouse, one common image comes to mind. Most people picture a dusty, dark building. Or a warehouse that contains racks with boxes and crates.
That’s a warehouse of the past. Across the country, companies are building varied new warehouses. Modern warehouses are bright, clean, and have the latest technology.
There are different types of warehouses you should know about. Each one has a niche of its own. Read on to learn about the different types of warehouses being built today.
Distribution Centers
Let’s start by discussing distribution centers. Distribution centers tend to have large spaces. You can think of them as storage spaces.
A distribution center will hold goods for a short period. The goods in distribution centers move fast. It’s the reason why workers in these centers see products coming in and going out all the time.
Distribution centers make up an integral part of the supply chain. Suppliers will deliver goods to these centers and from there the goods will go to the customers.
New distribution centers use advanced technology to increase efficiency. Their goal is to lower delivery time to ensure customer satisfaction.
Public Warehouses
Public warehouses are owned by the government. Some may be owned by semi-government bodies. These warehouses are lent out to private sector companies.
The companies that use them pay rent allowing them to stock up goods in the warehouse. Public warehouses are ideal for a small business owner who doesn’t have the means to buy a warehouse. They’re also great for eCommerce startups.
Public warehouses have several great advantages. They’re affordable and accessible. They’re also ideal for short-term storage needs.
Private Warehouses
A private warehouse is privately owned. Owners can include manufacturers and wholesalers. Large retail corporations also tend to own private warehouses.
This type of warehouse can store products in bulk. When orders come in, workers will distribute goods from the warehouse.
Established companies are the ones that have the capital to operate private warehouses. They’re best for companies that aim to have a long-term strategic presence in a region.
Bonded Warehouses
Bonded warehouses store imported goods. Goods can remain in a bonded warehouse until custom duties are levied on them.
There’s no need to make payment of duty for five years from the date of acceptance of the goods. This is ideal for companies as the duty on imported goods can be very high. After selling the products, companies can pay duty from the proceeds of the sale.
To run bonded warehouses, private agencies must obtain a license from the government. This is a process the government has in place to ensure importers pay their taxes on time.
Bonded warehouses are perfect for eCommerce businesses that focus on international trade. These businesses can have peace of mind knowing their goods will be safe and secured.
Smart Warehouses
Smart warehouses are part of today’s era of automation. A smart warehouse uses AI to enhance the storage and fulfillment process. It also uses AI to manage operations.
In smart warehouses, one can find automation systems and interconnected technologies. Picture a flawless system that does everything from receiving products to shipping them.
What about the need for doing inventory? It’s no problem for an AI system. In smart warehouses, an AI system can keep an accurate inventory count.
You may find robots and even drones performing tasks. These systems reduce the need for humans to perform certain tasks. This means fewer human errors.
The eCommerce giants invest in smart warehouses. Their investments in these warehouses help to increase production.
Consolidated Warehouses
Consolidated warehouses receive small shipments from different suppliers. The small shipments are grouped into larger shipments. Once sold, the goods are distributed to the buyers.
The goods in consolidated warehouses tend to go to the same geographical location. The goods will travel in a single truckload to their final destination.
These warehouses use the latest technology in the logistics industry. The goal is to reduce transportation costs as more goods are shipped often. All this helps to boost profitability.
Climate-Controlled Warehouses
Climate-controlled warehouses are perfect for storing goods at a specific temperature. These warehouses can store perishable items like fresh fruits and flowers. Their humidity-controlled environments are ideal for these products.
Companies can store frozen foods in climate-controlled warehouses that have freezers. There’s no need to worry about the frozen foods going bad.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Warehouse
When choosing a warehouse, you must consider several factors. First, you must consider how much storage space you’ll need. It’s essential to find the right size for your new warehouse.
Choosing the appropriate warehouse design for your business is a must. The warehouse you invest in must increase productivity. It should have the latest technology capability.
Do factor in your budget. If you have a tight budget, it might be best to go with a public warehouse. If money is no object, the ideal option would be a smart warehouse.
Another factor to consider is your cleaning needs. If you own a large warehouse, it’s best to hire a warehouse cleaning service. You’ll need a warehouse cleaning company to perform daily cleaning.
These Are the Different Types of Warehouses Available
Are you a business owner in need of a new warehouse? As you read above, there are many different types of warehouses. You must invest in the right type of warehouse to benefit your business needs.
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