Your business has grown to the point that it’s necessary to maintain enough inventory to quickly fill expedited orders. That means you may need to begin looking for some additional warehouse space. It helps to know that not all warehousing and storage solutions are the same.
While you may need something in particular, there are a few basics that must be present under just about any circumstances. Before you even consider the possibility of leasing a particular warehouse, make sure these qualities are present. If the facility doesn’t provide these essentials, you can rest assured that it will not have any of the additional features you’re seeking.
Adequate Space is a Must
How much space is sufficient for your purposes? One of the first tips in how to choose warehouse Toronto is making sure that you don’t end up needing to lease another facility because the previous one doesn’t have enough room for your inventory. You want one space to collect or store your inventory rather than having to go to several different locations.
When you calculate the square footage that you need to reserve and pay for each month, err on the side of caution and shoot for around 20% more space than you think you’ll need. Doing so will ensure that as your business volume increases, the warehouse is still likely to provide enough storage space.
Climate Control
Perishable goods like foods aren’t the only type of inventory that must be stored at specific temperatures. Lab equipment, electronics, and a number of other goods must be kept in a climate controlled setting. That happens to be true of the finished goods that you manufacture and ultimately sell to customers.
When you look at different warehousing companies, focus on those who have solutions for climate control. Even if you’re looking at sharing warehouse space with others, make sure that the facility can place your inventory in a section that provides the ideal temperature and humidity level. If that’s not possible, then you need to see what some other warehouse Toronto has to offer.
Enough Personnel to Process Inbound and Outbound Inventory
How is the place set up to handle inbound deliveries and outbound shipments? You want to know there’s enough personnel as well as equipment to manage the loading and unloading. Even if your plan is to send one of your own shipping clerks to receive an inbound shipment or to check off the goods loaded to fill an outbound order, you’ll still need help from the Toronto warehousing facility such as fork lift operators. If that’s not something you can include in the leasing agreement, look elsewhere.
The Matter of Liability Coverage
What would happen if the warehouse was damaged in a natural disaster or caught on fire? Who would reimburse you for the lost inventory? To make sure you’re not left with having to cover the loss all by yourself, make sure the warehousing service agreement includes evidence of liability coverage. Do go over the types of events that are included in the coverage. If the amount and the scope of the coverage seems reasonable, see what else the warehouse has to offer.
Reasonable Pricing
Your primary focus is on locating potential warehouses that can accommodate your volume and keep the goods safe in the interim. Price shouldn’t be the first priority, but it will eventually become a factor. Once you narrow the range of choices down to a couple or three, that’s the time to see who offers the best rates for the features you need.
Remember that the plan is to establish a long-term storage solution. Choose the warehouse wisely and it will be a decision that serves you well for many years.