Warehousing & Supply Chain
Warehousing Basics: Types and Functions
5 min read
Warehousing is more than storage. A warehouse receives, stores, picks and dispatches goods, acting as a buffer that keeps supply chains flowing smoothly between production and demand.
What a warehouse does
- Receiving and inspecting incoming goods.
- Storing inventory safely and accessibly.
- Picking and packing orders for dispatch.
- Managing stock levels and dispatching shipments.
Main types of warehouse
- Distribution centre: high-throughput hub for moving goods onward.
- Fulfilment centre: picks and packs individual e-commerce orders.
- Bonded warehouse: stores imported goods before duty is paid.
- Cold storage: temperature-controlled space for perishables.