India has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the past decade. This growth has been fuelled by several factors, including increased foreign investment, rapid urbanisation, and rising disposable incomes. One of the sectors that have significantly benefited from this economic growth is the warehousing industry. Let's navigate through the last decade that redefined the evolution of the warehousing industry in India.

Transforming go downs to efficient warehouses

Earlier, a storage facility was a haphazard space called a "godown". They were only used to reserve raw materials for manufacturing or supplying products. Moreover, the shortage of space wouldn't allow movable machinery, thus relying entirely on manual labour for operations. Also, there were no safety protocols followed in these confined spaces. 

As the manufacturing/production demands started increasing, the storage and handling of materials in automated and organised form became necessary. 

One of the most significant changes has been the introduction of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). These systems have significantly increased the efficiency of warehouses by reducing the time it takes to find and retrieve items. Additionally, they have helped to improve safety by reducing the need for workers to climb on high shelves.

Another major change has been the use of RFID tags to track inventory. RFID tags allow warehouse managers to quickly and easily see what items are in stock and where they are located. This has helped to reduce lost or misplaced inventory and has made it easier to keep track of fast-moving items.

The other crucial aspect of this evolution was state-regulated policies that imposed a few safety regulations on warehouses to reduce occupational hazards. The hygiene regulations also helped with the longevity of perishable items. By the mid-20th century, warehouses were all-encompassing spaces that could accommodate storage for large-scale production. Chennai is one such city that emerged during this period as an industrial zone. Subsequently, warehousing companies in Chennai leveraged this opportunity and introduced industrial parks to enhance the manufacturing/production sector. 

Industrial revolution leading the demand

The industrial revolution throughout the world transitioned from three main phases– the water/steam engine for production, electricity for mass manufacturing, and electronics and information technology to automate the processes. Throughout these revolutions, the warehousing industry remained a constant link for the suitable storage solution. 

With the changing phases, warehouses were adapted according to the progressing requirements and the specific industry. Thus began the evolution of customised spaces using the Built-to-suit method. Warehouses were designed considering the business goals. In this arrangement, there is a pre-lease agreement between the developer and the client, where they are given warehouse rights even before the construction begins. They can customise the floor plates, height, and other attributes according to their long-term goals. 

Grade-A warehouses have become a norm for ideal spaces for businesses, where asset management facilities are provided with your leased area. 

On the other hand, ready spaces are preferred by small business owners for short to mid-term needs. They have the flexibility to choose their leasing period. With the emergence of E-Commerce, these spaces are in high demand, considering they are easier to manage, and most warehousing companies are located in industrial zones that allow better business opportunities. 

Hiranandani Industrial Parks in Chennai is a prominent project in Red Hills that is strategically located for easy access to key consumption zones and other industrial hubs. 

New trends in warehousing construction

The fourth industrial revolution is the digitisation of processes that demands high-speed services and end-to-end cycle management with customer requirements as the focus. Hence, the warehouses are designed to incorporate these services for an edge in the competitive market. Some of the prominent new trends in warehousing construction are as follows–

• Modular buildings are created using prefabricated components that can be quickly assembled on-site. This type of construction is becoming increasingly popular due to its flexibility and affordability.

• Mezzanine floors are an efficient way to add extra storage space without increasing the footprint of the warehouse. They are also less expensive to build than traditional multi-story warehouses.

• More warehouses are now being built with energy-efficient features. This includes solar panels, LED lighting, and insulation. These features help reduce the warehouse's operating costs and improve its environmental footprint. Several warehouse developers in Chennai have integrated sustainable and eco-friendly features. 

Conclusion

To keep up with the new-age trends in warehousing, choosing a reputed warehouse company in India that understands global standards is crucial. Hiranandani Industrial Parks—the new venture in industrial warehousing services by the well-known House of Hiranandani, guarantees long-term spacing solutions for companies. They have integrated modern amenities within the warehousing facility in Chennai to enhance the efficiency of your services. Browse their website to find a perfect space for your business. 

FAQs

1) How has warehousing changed over the last few years?

Ans Warehousing has become an industry in itself. These storage spaces are now the epicentre of the end-to-end cycle of business operations. 

The new-age warehouses are customised according to the business goals with provisions for scalability. In this way, a company can be associated with warehousing services for a more extended period.

E-Commerce and 3PL are the leading industries that require warehouses, considering the modern entrepreneurial landscape in India. 

2) What are the emerging trends in warehousing?

Ans: Warehousing has evolved with the integration of mechanical and digital systems. Some of the emerging global trends in warehousing are as follows–

• Advanced warehouse management system using cloud technology

• Robotic automation

• Proper data management

• Sustainable features

• Artificial Intelligence and machine learning for data analysis and management.