A Practical Training Course in Optimising Storage Materials Management
1Summary
A warehouse can be full and still be failing — if nobody can find what they need, if space is wasted on the wrong shelving, or if hazardous materials sit next to items they should never touch. Storage only pays off when it is organised on purpose, not by accident.
This practical course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy works through the full storage picture: choosing the right systems and layout, organising inventory for fast retrieval, handling materials safely, and keeping hazardous and specialised goods under proper control.
Participants leave with techniques they can apply immediately to cut waste, speed up retrieval, and improve the day-to-day efficiency of how materials are stored and handled.
2Objectives and target group
Who Should Attend
- Warehouse managers responsible for storage and inventory.
- Operations managers focused on storage efficiency and material handling.
- Supply chain and logistics professionals involved in storage decisions.
- Anyone building a career in storage and inventory management.
Course Objectives
- Apply modern principles for organising and running storage facilities.
- Choose storage environments and systems that suit the materials being handled.
- Manage and operate storage processes to give materials the best possible care.
- Maintain the highest health, environmental and safety standards in storage areas.
- Select and organise storage locations and their equipment effectively.
- Apply up-to-date warehouse rules and procedures, and deliver the best possible service to internal and external customers.
3Course Content
Module 1: Setting the Foundations: Storage Systems and Layout Design
- Core storage systems and where each one fits.
- Principles of warehouse and yard design and planning.
- Key terminology and concepts used across storage management.
Module 2: Choosing and Optimising Storage Solutions
- Comparing storage solutions — shelving, racking, bins and modular systems.
- Matching the solution to the material being stored.
- Techniques for maximising vertical and horizontal space, including dead space.
Module 3: Organising Inventory for Fast, Accurate Retrieval
- Categorising and labelling storage materials.
- Organising inventory to speed up retrieval.
- Applying first-in-first-out and other inventory disciplines.
Module 4: Material Handling: Equipment and Technique
- Safe and efficient manual handling practices.
- Operating and maintaining mechanical handling equipment.
- Ergonomic considerations in day-to-day material handling.
Module 5: Storing and Moving Hazardous and Specialised Materials
- Storage and transport of hazardous materials and dangerous goods, including international regulations.
- Handling compressed industrial gases and petroleum products.
- Storing laboratory chemicals, cylinder-packed chemicals, and acids and corrosive materials safely.
Module 6: Vehicles, Preventive Maintenance and Preservation
- Routine maintenance of vehicles and handling equipment.
- Preserving materials and equipment throughout the storage period.
- Building a maintenance schedule that protects stock and equipment alike.
Module 7: Risk, Safety, Environment and Compliance
- Identifying and mitigating risks specific to storage operations.
- Health, safety and environmental management in logistics operations.
- Meeting regulatory and industry compliance requirements.
Module 8: Measuring, Sustaining and Improving Storage Performance
- Key performance indicators for storage and warehouse efficiency.
- Building sustainability into storage practices and reducing waste.
- Applying lessons from real cases to drive continuous improvement.