AN EXPERT GUIDE
After a colour-filled autumn, we can feel the air change, which means it's almost winter; the time to make sure your warehouse is prepared to withstand the chilly months.
Our previous article explained all the essential tips to ensure streamlined business activities with minimal hurdles. While this article is more focused on businesses operating their warehouses in India to ensure their facility is winter-ready for full-fledged operation before the season hits the country.
Don’t drop the ball in getting your warehouse winter ready. Prime Associates brings some tips to prepare your India warehouse facility for the harsh cold climate.
India is home to many types of weather. Compared to the cool states of the South, which experience light winters, Kashmir and North Eastern states experience harsher winters.
Now, depending on where your warehouse is located in India, you should take adequate action to prep your facility for winter. Before you start winterizing your Indian warehouse, consider these aspects:
The location of your warehouse
How cold it gets in winter?
Nearby areas and means of transportation
Does the area witness road closure due to blizzards, storms, rain, or heavy snowfall?
How badly does the supply chain get affected due to the weather?
Does the warehouse have a power outage in winter?
A Tip: Before you commence your prevention measures, we suggest you thoroughly inspect the warehouse, inside and outside. As a result, you'll better understand how your warehouse needs maintenance and which areas require the most attention.
What is included in the winter warehouse inspection?
Check the building and its premises for its sturdiness.
Inspect the doors and windows for any vulnerabilities like cracks and leaks.
Make sure you review all the seals of roofs and water tanks. Trust us; you wouldn't want to deal with potential snow and water buildup when the cold hits.
Also, check the ventilation and heating systems for any moisture buildup and damage to rust.
Do not forget the drainage inspection for any leaks.
Prepare a slip-prevention plan to avoid accidents and injury and keep the employees safe.
If your area receives high snowfall, map out a plan for snow removal to ensure the supply chain is maintained.
Get started on the maintenance as soon as your warehouse inspection concludes. You can either do it with the help of your workers; or hire experts to find vulnerabilities in the warehouse facility and develop solutions for them.
Whichever way you choose, make sure the facility is fully equipped and ready to face any rough weather.
While we agree maintaining a warehouse is a year-round task, it gets complicated during winter. Cold winds, slippery roads, blocked routes, disrupted supply chains, and many more; being unprepared for winter can negatively impact a business, resulting in huge losses.
Every part of the country in India experiences different levels of cold weather, so every warehouse needs preparation according to the state it is located in. Therefore, preparing your warehouse for winter challenges ensures your business runs smoothly and can bear any storm head. We present some reasons why winterizing your warehouse is a good idea.
Prevents increase in overhead costs: Preparing for winter challenges before time can minimise unexpected overhead costs.
Meet customer demand: Winter= festive season + surge in demand. To meet the customers' demands and expectations, it's better to be prepared for unexpected situations that may arise during winter.
Keeps goods safe: Winterizing the warehouse ensures the goods’ safety. Having enough warehouse space as a winterization precaution will help you keep your goods safe in case of supply chain disruptions.
To conclude, planning for the warehouse in advance will help you easily survive the cold days.
The land of India is full of diverse cultures, people, and seasons; the question may arise how much should I prepare my warehouse for winter?
Here are some suggestions to help you take the proper precautions for a successful winter.
As mentioned earlier in the blog, northern states observe extreme winters. . If your warehouse is located in a place like Kashmir, New Delhi and so on, we recommend you get started on the winterization process much earlier.
Apart from the basic precautions, we strongly recommend businesses consider the harsh weather conditions of the place and prepare strongly to tackle the winter successfully. The companies might need some additional steps to make their warehouse winter ready.
For warehouses in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, winter is all about cold winds and temperature dips. Unlike the extremities seen in northern regions, you can get the facility ready easily with efficiently executed efforts.
Winter is all about chilly breezes and light rain in the southern states. So if your business has a warehouse set up there, bear in mind the unannounced showers(in winter, too) that might hinder your logistics operations.
Monitor the weather reports
Execute time management practices
Create a backup plan
Encourage staff communication
Think about freight protection
While you consider readying your warehouse for winter, it's also imperative to consider taking action and avoid any employee injury, accident or equipment damage during the course of winter. After all, employees' safety is a part of preventive measures too!
Prepare the equipment to handle the freezing temperature
To reduce airflow from outside, install strip doors where doors are opened frequently.
Create a warm room for employees to rest and take a break.
Install fans to distribute heat. Make sure the temperature is the same from floor to ceiling.
Use thermal curtain walls. Get some extra heaters, in case.
Now that you know preparing your warehouse for winter is crucial, it can be achieved with advanced planning and effective implementation of strategies. Even minor issues can greatly impact your logistics chain, resulting in delays and disruptions.
To conclude, these are useful and applicable tips to make your warehouse comfortable and operational for the season. Prepare to tackle the dipping temperature this winter for a successful cold holiday season. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.
Let’s get your Indian warehouse prepared for winter!
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