Setting Up A Warehouse

Today I was in a 300,000 - 400,000 square foot warehouse to conduct a "site survey" to suggest to the customer what forklifts we felt would help them bring their new product in and out efficiently. This warehouse was naked except for the new racking they were installing. So just like a painter we were looking at a blank canvas. I love this part of my job. But with any good thing, there is always a negative side. First lets look at the negative. The negative is simple. We can't see the product, we don't know the number of shifts, or how or what it will take to get the product off the shelves and out to their customers. Now we can use our experience, the customers experience and common sense and on paper get pretty close to what it will look like. But until the product and forklifts are in place in the facility, it is still just all theory. The good? Well, we have a chance to solve a customers problem and implement our solution. If we are able to offer a good solution and it saves the customer time and money, then we look like the hero. This type of heroism causes life long customers. This is what every salesman wants and dreams of. But with this type of opportunity, a great amount of pressure comes with it. Also a great amount of trust from your customer. Now ultimately, it is the customers decision. However, they will lean very hard on your recomendation. This is where your experience and your instinct must guide the way. Hopefully I will make the right decision with this customer and gain a new client.