Warehouses and Distribution Centres are the foundation of a supply network, as they allow a single location to stock a vast number of products. Alongside changes in the geographic distribution of warehousing facilities, the function of distribution centres has also evolved to being a critical component in the overall Supply Chain strategy of an organization. This has stimulated demand for high quality, purpose built logistics facilities which not only store goods but also undertake a range of activities such as postponed manufacturing, JIT operations, cross-docking, kitting, labelling, packaging, and final assembly.

In order to be at the forefront of providing world class services, India is taking rapid steps to keep up with the evolving competitive landscape of warehousing. Indian warehousing sector is expected to grow at a rate of 35-40 per cent every year. Specialized warehousing development with world class facilities is a new phenomenon in India. Organizations need the right skills, tools, and understanding to design and build these facilities.

At ThinkLink we have worked with decision makers in organizations on design and build out of Warehouses and Distribution Centres. The evolution of our Project Management services to a turnkey design, build, fit-out and go-live offering is in direct response to market requirements. Our team of experts possess the required skills to take your warehousing and distribution needs to the next level. We are your partner in planning, building, and operating new facilities or helping you improve your current warehousing facilities, implement new systems and processes, and create a well planned material and people flow. We follow a very systematic and structured process to ensure excellence in our warehousing engagements.

Our offerings can be broadly categorized in the following areas:

• Master Planning:
  • Layout Design:
    • Facility Layout design using the SLP Methodology to ensure all the details are captured and addressed in the design
  • Resource Planning:
    • Material Handling Equipment to support the overall operations, and manpower requirement analysis
  • Implementation Plan:
    • What-if analysis to execute the master plan on ground
    • Cost projections based on different facility layout models
• Simulation and Optimization:
  • Simulation:
    • Creation of simulation models to assess different material flow paths, machine and manpower utilization and throughput capacities
    • Select the best-fit design based on actual results and scientific approaches
  • Optimization:
    • Creation of different optimization models to evaluate space utilization based on different constraints
    • Evaluation of picking strategies while ensuring overall operational efficiency
• Project Management and Build-out:
  • Development of plans at various levels of details using MS Project and other project management tools
  • Specification of equipment and resources required for completion of work
  • Provide necessary supervision and survey support to ensure correct lay-outing and construction
• Start up:
  • Process Design:
    • Goods In and Out, storage, staffing, KPI Identification and Benchmarking
  • Systems Implementation:
    • Selection and rollout of Warehouse Management and Control Systems
    • Mapping of location to the system and configuration as per processes
    • Staff Training on Systems
• Go-Live:
  • Go-Live Preparation to ensure smooth transition
  • SOP Design and Implementation
  • KPI achievement
  • Handover to Operations Team