As businesses grow, it can be difficult to keep up with the demands of inventory storage and, more importantly, delivery to the customer.
Which is why so many businesses opt for third-party storage and warehousing providers, like FDC Holdings, to lighten the load. One of the key services these enterprises are searching for – even if they don’t know it to begin with – is pick and pack fulfilment services.
But what exactly is a pick and pack warehouse? What are the advantages they offer businesses on the rise? And would they be a good fit for your business?
Keep reading to learn more.
What is a Pick and Pack Warehouse?
Beyond simply storing your business inventory, a pick and pack warehouse specialises in the storage, handling, packing and shipping of your goods, for a fully comprehensive service.
They’re manned by a team of trained, experienced and reliable warehouse staff who work hard to ensure every item, or collection of items, that is picked and packed is done so with care and attention to detail, ensuring all goods remain damage-free.
But speed is also an important factor in the era of rapid online shopping, and these providers always strive to utilise the most efficient picking routes in their warehouses as part of an effective inventory storage strategy. They also use different picking methods for ultimate pack process efficiency, which has a significant and direct impact on business operations.
Think of it this way: Rather than needing to grab your stock off the shelf, package it up and ship it out every time an order comes through, someone else takes care of that for you, saving you a lot of time and effort. Sounds good, right?
Benefits of Pick and Pack Warehouses
Pick and pack warehouses are an integral part of UK and global business processes, helping enterprises relieve internal pressure while keeping profits high and customers satisfied.
Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect if you choose to onboard a pick and pack service for your business:
Cost Savings
It’s not obvious at first glance, but your business can save money by utilising a third-party pick and pack service, despite having to pay a pick and pack fee. This is because you can avoid extra hires, instead passing off the responsibility to external professionals.
Scalability and Flexibility
Because you’re no longer crippled by a lack of space or resources, your pick and pack services can grow as your business does, helping you flourish and take advantage of every opportunity.
Improved Accuracy
With pick and pack services, your internal staff won’t be overrun with orders, which can lead to mistakes. Instead, trained professionals handle everything for you, greatly reducing the likelihood of human error.
Customer Satisfaction
With trustworthy picking and packing, you can rest easy knowing orders will reach customers in good condition and record time, boosting satisfaction across the board.
The Pick and Pack Process Explained
If you’re unfamiliar, here’s a quick overview of the picking and packing workflow:
Order received: Once the customer places an order, it is automatically entered into the third party’s warehouse management software.
Picking list generated: The system then identifies the items that have been purchased, and cross-references this with the warehouses that are holding said items, notifying them.
Order picking: A professional “picker” gathers all sold items from warehouse shelves. Either individually or in larger quantities. Depending on the specifics, this can be known as batch picking, wave picking or zone picking.
Quality check and packing: The items undergo a thorough quality check to ensure everything is as it should be before they are packaged with the appropriate packing materials at a designated packing station. They’re also bound with the relevant documents and/or branding.
Shipping and tracking: The package is topped by a shipping label and packing slip, before it is collected by a courier and dispatched promptly on the most efficient route, arriving with the customer by a specified date.
Is a Pick and Pack System Right for Your Business?
All of this sounds fantastic, but pick and pack options aren’t right for everyone… If you’re wondering whether to take the leap, first ask yourself:
- Are we outgrowing our current premises?
- Have we spent too long housing our stock in unsuitable spaces?
- Are our fulfilment processes too slow, or riddled with other issues?
- Would a good warehouse management system be a game-changer for us?
If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, your business is a prime candidate for pick and pack fulfilment services. And we know exactly who you should speak to…
Choose FDC Holdings for Pick and Pack Services
With decades of experience in the storage and warehouse operations space, and a 300,000+ sq ft space that’s ready and waiting to keep your stock secure for the picking process, while always using the correct packing method, you can rely on FDC Holdings.
To find out more about our pick and pack services and the other ways we can be of assistance to your business, get in touch with a member of the FDC team today.