Switching Warehouses: 8 Tips for Transporting Your Inventory

Moving inventory can be a huge job, here are some tips to make your move smoother!

For businesses, switching warehouses can be an extremely chaotic experience. If it’s not handled properly, it can also be incredibly disruptive. After all, your entire inventory is being packed up and relocated. That can lead to extensive downtime, delays in filling orders, lost inventory, and many other problems. With the right measures, though, you can minimize disruptions and keep the move under control.

1) Secure a Moving Truck

One important step you’ll need to take is to secure a truck for the move. With a 12-foot truck rental, you can move a great deal of inventory in a single trip. Since you don’t need a CDL to drive a truck of this size, as long as it weighs in at under 26,000 pounds loaded, you can drive it yourself or allow one of your trusted and responsible warehouse employees to do so. That, in turn, can give you peace of mind that your inventory is in good hands.

2) Conduct an Inventory Audit

Secondly, be sure to conduct an inventory audit before the move. Take note of every item to be moved. That way, you’ll know exactly what you have in stock. It’ll also make it easier to keep track of everything when it reaches the new warehouse. Additionally, this will be a perfect opportunity to update and correct your inventory for your records and potentially get rid of items that are damaged or no longer needed.

3) Create a Detailed Moving Plan

Creating a detailed moving plan is also essential. Determine a timeline for the move, including when packing should begin, the order in which items should go onto the truck, and packaging and handling requirements for different types of items. At the same time, create moving teams to tackle the project, delegate specific responsibilities to each of them, and be sure they understand their roles in the move.

4) Invest in Packing Materials

Investing in packing materials is another crucial measure. Get sturdy boxes that are the right sizes for the items you’ll be moving. Protect them with bubble wrap, foam, or other materials. For large items that can’t be boxed, consider wrapping them in moving blankets. Keep in mind any special requirements certain items may have as well, such as temperature and moisture control, and pack them accordingly.

5) Track Your Inventory

You’ll also need to track your inventory from the moment it leaves its spot in your current warehouse until it’s placed in the new one. Create both digital logs of your inventory and physical ones as backup. Consider using barcodes or RFID tracking systems as well to make matters simpler and keep your records more accurate.

6) Schedule Strategically

Strategic scheduling can greatly reduce disruptions and downtime. That may include moving inventory after hours or on weekends. Coordinate with your suppliers to postpone deliveries until after the move or have deliveries sent to the new warehouse rather than the old one.

7) Set Up the New Warehouse in Advance

Be sure to set up your new warehouse before moving items into it. That’ll make the move go much more smoothly. Having employees stationed at the loading docks to receive and sort items and make sure they’re put in the proper locations as they come in will also make a world of difference.

8) Recheck Your Inventory

Once everything has made its way to the new warehouse, recheck your inventory to verify that all items are present and accounted for. Be sure those items are in the same condition they were when they left the old warehouse as well. If anything is damaged or missing, update your inventory accordingly to keep it accurate.

Enjoying a Smooth Move

Though moving your inventory to a new warehouse will inevitably cause disruptions, it’s possible to minimize the disorder. Keep the steps listed here in mind as you’re planning your move, packing, loading and unloading the truck, and setting up shop in your new location. They’ll help you to enjoy a smooth move with as little downtime as possible. They’ll also aid in keeping your items intact and your inventory accurate.