Warehousing is an integral part of the supply chain. This system adds immense value to your production process in various different ways. Not just to the producer the warehousing system offers numerous advantages to a consumer and the economy as a whole. Let’s have a look at certain values the system of warehousing adds to a producer, consumer and the economy as a whole.
ADVANTAGES OF WAREHOUSING TO A PRODUCER
There has rarely been more demand on manufacturers to increase productivity and reduce costs. Picking the ideal strategy to handle your procurement, storage, distribution, as well as logistics would enhance your production workflow and boost your efficiency.Taking control of your warehouse space as well as inventory management may immediately improve your bottom line. Moreover, in these unpredictable post-COVID times, warehousing provides you the assurance that you would have a steady supply of well-managed steel stock on hand when you require it.
Financing
Since the business person may borrow money against the collateral of the materials or items in the warehouse, utilizing a warehouse can assist with your funding. Then there are the extra advantages provided by bonded warehouses, which are government-licensed institutions that absorb imported products for storage till customs tax is paid. Holding imported products or materials for export in a bonded warehouse aids in cost management by paying customs duty appropriately.
Reduction of business risk
Goods stored in a warehouse are covered by the warehouse owner’s responsibility. Storing products at an off-site warehouse reduces inventory loss due to theft, fire, as well as damage, and shifts this risk to the warehouse. You are covered by the warehouse corporation’s insurance, which is often considerably greater than you would have exposure to owing to the scope of activities, and you are not required to contribute the premium
Expansion of business
You can concentrate on your primary business: making your products if you are not constrained by the necessity to keep all ingredients, parts, and completed items at your production plant. Outsourcing storage and delivery to a warehouse or distribution center allow your company to make greater use of the available room for product development as well as process optimization.
Spot stocking
This advantage is especially beneficial for enterprises that make seasonal items. Spot stocking is another storage strategy used in the agriculture industry. Rather than employing a warehouse infrastructure year-round or shipping directly from the manufacturer, ‘Spot Stocking’ employs a variety of warehouses concurrently in a variety of locations adjacent to major markets to decrease transit time and satisfy customer requests promptly.
ADVANTAGES OF WAREHOUSING TO A CONSUMER
ADVANTAGES OF WAREHOUSING TO A CONSUMERWarehouse management may be summarized in three words: control, coordination, and communication. A well-managed warehouse has an influence on everything from practical concerns like delivery to more esoteric factors like the quality of items sold to consumers. The following are some of the advantages that warehousing offers to customers:
Quality goods and services:
A warehouse offers company owners the essential facilities for keeping their items when they are not needed for sale. It protects the supplies, assures their safety, and avoids waste. It reduces losses due to breakage, degradation in quality, spoilage, and other factors. Warehouses typically utilize cutting-edge technology to minimize losses as much as feasible. As a result, the consumer receives high-quality goods.
Avoid fluctuations in supply:
Warehousing ensures that the goods required by consumers are available throughout the year. They help avoid hindrance of time, thus ensuring that the price of goods do not rise due to increased cost and reduced supply.
Goods at affordable prices:
Warehousing removes the hindrance of distance thereby reducing the cost of production and thus the prices. As a result of this consumers get quality goods at the minimum possible price.
ADVANTAGES OF WAREHOUSING TO AN ECONOMY
The warehousing industry adds a lot of value to a country’s economy by addressing several grave economic crises. A few are listed below:
Solves unemployment:
Warehouses provide job possibilities for both skilled as well as unskilled people around the nation. It provides a source of revenue for the people, allowing them to raise their level of living. This helps address the problem of unemployment, especially in developing countries like India.
Helps navigating business cycles, recessions and inflation:
An increase in demand or supply would cause an increase in prices and thus inflationary trends shall follow. Similarly, the rise of supply over demand will result in a downward movement of prices which will then lead to an economic depression. Warehouses make goods available 365 days a year. It helps reduce the chances of excess demand or supply. Thus, the warehousing system helps navigate these vicious loops.
Aid to government:
Public warehouses can be utilized for storage by both commercial firms and government bodies. As a result, they are also regarded as a type of government-owned public warehouse. Because the government is directly involved, government warehouses ensure superior security as well as safety of commodities. Thus, public warehouses benefit the government by not only allowing public sector units to keep their goods but also by producing cash when other businesses use their services.
Promotion of trade:
Because commodities are held in a warehouse and discharged when the market requires them, it provides a consistent flow of items into the market. It assures that there is no surplus or lack of items. It allows extra items to be kept and supplies them when they are in short supply. It ensures a healthy flow of products from sellers to buyers. Thus ensuring the survival of business entities. Businesses thrive in countries with proper warehousing systems. An increase in foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment can be seen. It is simple really. When investors witness a healthy logistics system in a country they would like to expand their business operations there.
Warehousing seems to be the backbone of the production system and a country’s economy. Warehousing enables on-time delivery and optimum distribution, resulting in higher work efficiency and higher client satisfaction. It also aids in the reduction of mistakes and damage throughout the order fulfillment process. Furthermore, it keeps your things from being lost or stolen during transit. However, it is important to have a healthy warehouse strategy to reap all these benefits. Numerous significant considerations must be made while developing a warehouse strategy, including the investment as well as operating expenditures that comprise the logistics overhead and so on. We hope you make sound decisions regarding your warehousing endeavors.