Complete Warehouse Checklist: Specifications And Green Features For E-commerce, Retail, And 3PL

When selecting a warehouse for your e-commerce, retail, or 3PL business, it's crucial to consider its specifications and green features. This comprehensive guide will help you create a checklist to ensure your warehouse meets your business needs while minimising environmental impact.

Building Features

• Location:
  • Proximity to major transportation hubs (airports, railway stations, highways)
  • Accessibility to key markets and customer demographics
  • Proximity to suppliers and manufacturers
  • Look for upcoming developments, new roads, and extensions that can improve last-mile delivery in the near future 

• Size and Layout:
  • Adequate space for current and future inventory
  • Efficient layout for storage, picking, packing, and shipping
  • Flexibility for future expansion or changes

• Infrastructure:
  • Strong electrical supply to accommodate equipment
  • Reliable internet connectivity for real-time inventory management and order processing
  • Adequate water supply for cleaning and sanitation
  • Well-maintained fire safety systems

• Storage Systems:
  • Accommodates a variety of storage options (shelving, racking, bulk storage) for different product types and sizes
  • Ability to implement efficient storage methods to maximise space utilisation

• Picking and Packing Area:
  • Dedicated space for order picking and packing
  • Adequate workstations and equipment
  • Efficient workflow and processes

• Shipping Area:
  • Sufficient space for loading and unloading trucks
  • Access to shipping carriers and courier services

• Temperature Control:
  • Temperature-controlled areas for products requiring specific storage conditions (e.g., perishable goods, electronics)

Connectivity and Infrastructure

• Transportation:
  • Good road connectivity to major transportation hubs
  • Proximity to highways or expressways
  • Access to railways or airports for long-distance shipments

• Utilities:
  • Reliable electricity supply
  • Adequate water supply
  • Efficient waste management system

• Technology:
  • Availability of fibre optic high-speed internet connection for real-time operations and data management

• Security:
  • CCTV surveillance
  • Access control systems
  • Security personnel

Additional Considerations

• Labour Availability:
  • Sufficient skilled labour available in the area
  • Competitive labour costs

• Government Incentives:
  • Any government incentives or tax breaks available for setting up a warehouse in the location

• Environmental Regulations:
  • Compliance with environmental regulations and standards

• Insurance:
  • Adequate insurance coverage for property, inventory, and liability

Warehouse Specifications

• Height: At least 10-12 meters high to accommodate high-density storage systems.
• Floor load: Should support a uniform distributed load (UDL) of at least 5 tons, ideally FM2 compliant.
• Internal roads: Wider than 12-15 meters for easy movement of forklifts and equipment.
• Docking apron: At least 16.5 meters long to accommodate large trucks.
• Fire Systems: Roof sprinkler system of K115
• Ridge Ventilators: 3-6 air changes

Green Building Features

• Energy-efficient lighting: LED lighting for reduced energy consumption.
• Insulation: To maintain optimal temperature and reduce energy costs.
• Solar panels: For generating renewable energy.
• Water conservation: Implementing water-saving fixtures.
• Recycling: Recycling materials to reduce environmental impact.
• Green Building Certification: Ensuring the green building features are certified by IGBC, EDGE or LEED. Platinum rating is considered the best in the category, followed by gold and silver

By carefully considering these factors and incorporating green building features, you can select a warehouse that meets your business needs and contributes to a more sustainable future.

Additional Tips:

• Be sure to visit the warehouse in person before making a decision.
• Most of the developers will either have ready buildings or can offer customised solutions, if you need immediate solutions opt for ready buildings.
• Consider the warehouse's location and accessibility when making your decision.
• Think about your business's future needs when selecting a warehouse.

By following these tips, you can find an ideal warehouse for your e-commerce, retail, or 3PL business.

I hope this blog post is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

If you are looking for a new warehouse, please contact us today. We have a portfolio of warehouses across India to accommodate your requirements.