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Warehousing and MHE is booming. Learn why

- MOLLY R

Consumption patterns are rapidly evolving across the globe. As a result of these changes, the warehousing industry is witnessing the emergence of newer trends and ways warehouses operate, including processes like storage, picking, packaging, and shipping. All facets of business, including supply chains, have been impacted by digitalisation. Embedded sensors, GPS, and RFID technologies have assisted businesses in transforming their current traditional supply chain structures which combine paper-based and ITsupported processes into more adaptable, open, and cooperative digital ones.

Demand for industrial and warehousing space in the top five cities of India has remained strong in Q1 2023, with industrial and logistics leasing growing by 26% YoY to 8.0 million sq-ft. During the same period, supply increased by 28% YOY to 7.6 million sq-ft.

Anshul Singhal, MD, Welspun One Logistics Parks, says, "Digitisation has enabled inventory managers to make preemptive decisions and predict demand on the basis of data.

Automated solutions such as order picking technologies (pick-to-light technology, sortation systems, voice technology, etc.) automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), bar-coding and radio frequency identification (RFID) has led to an overall boost in efficiency, simplification of manual tasks and helped minimise costs." RFID technology is extremely crucial when it comes to management of inventory in a warehouse. This technology, when used in conjunction with warehouse management system (WMS), can help in improving supply chain management as well as provide real-time data accuracy and increase efficiency in the warehouse. It can not only streamline operations such as goods entry, picking, checking, delivery, but also eliminate the scope of human error, resulting in increased profit and decreased cost. Besides, it can improve the visibility of warehouse management and make rapid self-recording of receiving and delivery possible.