For businesses such as FMCG, e-commerce, agribusinesses, and light manufacturing that deal with huge volumes of products whether perishable or not, having the perfect location as a warehouse to store their goods is important. When a business has a high demand for the products they deal with, it means stocking large quantities is the way to go. The fact that shipping goods from other countries to Kenya takes time, some businesses will choose to stock a lot for some period. In most cases, these are businesses that may not have enough space at their premises hence a need to choose a warehouse such as Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) to partner with.
As a business owner, there are a variety of things to consider when choosing the right warehouse to store your goods. If you are at this stage and you don’t know what to check on, we have shared at least 10 things to consider using Africa Properties Logistics as an example.
Let’s get to the 10 things you must consider on the checklist.
1. Warehouse Location and Accessibility
The location of a warehouse is crucial since it directly affects operations. You wouldn’t want to select a warehouse that will cost you more to transport your goods to and from the location. Is the location near the suppliers, customers, transportation hubs, or major highways?
Using ALP West as an example, the warehouse is strategically located on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, in Tilisi.
2. Security
Businesses invest heavily in the products they store in warehouses. Be it in production or manufacturing, shipping, packaging, or transportation. Storing products in insecure warehouse locations can lead to pilferage which means a business owner is at risk of losing their goods and money.
ALP warehouse ensures not only goods safety but also staff security. ALP developments have access controls within its facilities. Not just anyone can walk into the development. Security from the Tilisi gate to ALP gate is a top priority. Anyone coming into the ALP warehouses is searched and confirms the company they’re visiting.
Externally, ALP has installed 360-degree CCTV cameras and its upon the tenant to ensure security inside their premises. They have also installed security lighting, alarm systems, inventory tracking, entryway security doors, and high-up and strong security windows which are hard to break.
ALP warehouses feature security- access control and 360 lenses close circuit television (cctv) cameras installed externally and an anti-dig clear view fence.
3. Safety
Safety is crucial. A safe warehouse protects employees, inventory and the business itself. How the structures are constructed and the additional security measures should be made to make the warehouse safe to minimize accidents, injuries and property damage. This also helps optimize warehouse operations and a positive reputation.
In the case of ALP warehouses, there’s 24/7 security and well-marked roadways and pathways for both vehicles and pedestrians.
4. Warehouse Space
Space is a critical element in a warehouse. It plays a pivotal role in optimizing efficiency and productivity. Adequate space allows effective organization and storage of goods, enabling streamlined operations and smooth inventory management, and minimizing accidents.
The outside space also matters. ALP West warehouses feature large truck yards for ease of truck maneuvering. This allows for a simultaneous loading and offloading process.
5. Grade A Efficient Warehouse
As consumer behaviours change over time, business operations also change. Modernity has to do with an aspect of technological innovation and adaptation to the current trends in the market. A very good example of modern warehouses is the Africa Properties Logistics warehouses which are referred to as Grade A warehouses compared to the ones currently in the market.
ALP modernity features:
- Sustainable initiatives: ALP strives to incorporate sustainable practices to minimize our environmental impact. This includes energy-efficient lighting, water saving, less embodied building materials, and waste management systems. ALP has received several green building certificates from IFC EDGE. All ALP developments are sustainable and meet the IFC advance Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE)
- FM2 flooring that can allow racking heavy-duty cargo (5 tonnes per square meter). This is explained in the next thing to consider.
- ALP Warehouse’s height and design layout is flexible. Meaning a tenant can take the space and customize it to their business needs. For, example adding more office space or dividing the warehouse into units for ease of departmental work such as operations and procurement.
- Flexible and scalability: ALP warehouses are designed to be adaptable to changing business needs for their tenants. The layout can easily be reconfigured to accommodate varying business needs and operational requirements.
- 24/7 operations and security control: ALP has prioritized safety by implementing robust security protocols including clear signage, pedestrian walkways, truck driveways, and security measures such as access control systems, external surveillance CTV and anti-dig clear view fence.
6. FM2. Flooring
Picture a floor that can effortlessly bear the weight of heavy machinery, equipment, and storage racks, all while maintaining its structural integrity. FM2 flooring does precisely that. Such floors are crafted to withstand the most demanding environments. That’s what ALP warehouses are made of.
Look for warehouses with great floors that are not only durable but also:
- Keep your goods safe, and minimize the risk of accidents and structural failures.
- Versatile and adaptable to allow various customization
- Have long lifespan, resistance to wear, moisture, and chemicals
- Have reduced need for repairs, replacements and maintenance
- Use Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) like forklifts to move their goods within the warehouse and easy load/offloading of trucks saving on time and improving operational efficiency.
7. Sustainable and Environment Friendly
We live in an era everyone ought to be woken by not only building sustainable businesses but also environmentally friendly ones. Everyone has a role to play. Before you choose the warehouse, do they prioritize environmental stewardship? How are they reducing pollution, conserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems? Are they operating in harmony with nature?
ALP warehouses feature green buildings which meet the IFC EDGE green building standards and are advanced certified. The tenants enjoy up to 30% savings on power and water compared to what’s in the market. This has been realized at ALP North.
8. Affordability or Price
Based on the current life trends, inflation being the rampant issue, affordability is a crucial subject when it comes to choosing the type of warehouse you would like to use to store your goods. By choosing the most affordable warehouse, you work around well with how you manage your finances. This also provides a means of putting a well-laid-out budget on how you are to spend.
Eventually, by making such choices, you provide meaningful growth to your business as you make good profits. You should consider ALP West warehouses!
9. Technology & Automation
Earlier, we featured modernity as one of the crucial features to look out for in a warehouse. To add on, technology and automation are important. Apart from the FM2 flooring, cameras and structure constructions, there’s a need for automation.
Are the warehouses fully backed up by generators? Do they have 24/7 operations for all the tenants?
In the case of ALP warehouses, they are fully backed up by 250KVA generators and all tenants operate 24/7.
10. Brand Reputation
A bad reputation is bad for business. Take your time to ask around. Ask your fellow entrepreneurs, they are always ready to share testimonials about the warehouses they store their goods. Check Google reviews and do your research to know what are they saying about the different available warehouses in the market.
What do people say about the customer service, security and safety measures of the employees at large? Do the warehouse companies have testimonials from the customers they have served? What did they say? Look at this testimonial as an example:
11. In-House Property Management
For your business to flourish, management is essential to ensure that reliable output is obtained. Similar to warehouses, in-house property management ensures that the property is in good condition.
For ALP warehouses, the tenants’ needs are met in case of any technical fixing or property management issues through their in-house management.
In Conclusion
It is important to take time and check on the features you are looking for when selecting a warehouse. Having learnt this, please take your time and check out our warehouses and what we offer. Let’s take you for a tour!
