5 Key Sourcing Furniture Impact on Warehouse Management

Sourcing furniture might be more profitable in terms of design and cost, but sometimes it gambles the operations team for the logistics space. This is why streamlining your furniture procurement with the warehouse management is crucial to prevent unexpected bottlenecks in the future.

To avoid failed projects, you can learn about the sourcing furniture impact on warehouse management. As a reliable Indonesian furniture supplier who has worked with many clients from the US, Spain, Dubai, Australia, and more, we will explain the challenges in furniture sourcing, directly from the vendor’s point of view.

Key Impacts on Warehouse Management

Overall, if not managed correctly, furniture sourcing affects these 6 main areas.

1. Increased Inventory Requirements

Unlike other goods, furniture is relatively high-volume, which requires more space in your warehouse. Especially when your project involves custom furniture that needs a specific area arrangement. Or worse, it sometimes also leads to the need to expand the inventory space, which obviously causes a budget overrun. 

2. Space and Handling Challenges

The size of furniture and the shipment method also affect how you can prepare your inventory and palletizing system. For example, Knock-Down (KD) items surely take up more space (commonly 3x more when fully assembled). To solve the issue, communicate clearly on how the furniture supplier will ship the items and ask them to share the precise calculations, both on the KD and the fully assembled method.

3. Logistics Complexity & Delays

Logistics preparation is also one of the important aspects in sourcing furniture overseas. How ready your logistics, labor, and tools are determines how you can handle the furniture efficiently when it arrives. On the contrary, delayed lead times can also disturb your logistics schedule. To avoid labor waste & overtime cost, discuss realistic lead times with the supplier and ask them for an on-time commitment.

4. Quality Control Management

Choosing to source furniture also means sacrificing direct quality control, from the raw processing to the final product. If there is no quality control system offered by your supplier, then you should be ready for the consequences upon arrival, like defects or bulk returns from your customers. To ensure guaranteed quality, you can request a direct visit for early checking, and then also ask for regular updates on the production progress.

5. Inventory Strategies: FIFO vs LIFO

Before the product arrives, it’s best advised to arrange a strategic inventory based on the volume calculation provided by the manufacturer. When the space is well-managed, you must plan whether to implement the FIFO (First In, First Out) or LIFO (Last In, First Out) for a better procurement flow that also helps the sales team to arrange the pricing plan.

6. Logistics & Installation

Efficient sourcing also includes how manageable it is to unbox and assemble the furniture. The most common safe and easiest to track furniture packaging is 5-ply export cartons with clear SKU marking. If your partner doesn’t support safe, export-grade packaging, then try to negotiate with your furniture supplier to provide it based on your needs.

Sourcing Furniture Vendor Role on Warehouse Management Efficiency

Your furniture supplier should be more than just producing items; they should be a partner who understands the stakes in sourcing furniture and also listens to your needs. A reliable supplier will confidently provide these without the buyer asking.

1. Clear Lead Times & Transparent Communication

Communication is key, especially for international transactions that need a mutual trust for a successful furniture sourcing project, which can only be gained by clear communication between the two parties.

As a supplier ourselves, we’re well aware that transparent communication is needed; that’s why we always inform as clearly as possible about every aspect that must be agreed upon, from lead times, cost, to how we wrap and ship the products. This way, our clients can manage their inventory strategy and prevent reduced margins due to operational delays.

2. Export-Ready Quality Control & Production Updates

Aside from discussing the matter point by point, it’s also recommended for buyers to know what method the furniture supplier provides for clients to check and control the product quality.

With over 20 years of experience in exporting furniture items, MPP Furniture has created a proven system for clients to check the overall product qualities, from materials to finish. We welcome direct client visits, report on regular progress, and provide other solutions like video calling, ensuring real-time quality checking.

3. Export-Grade & Secure Packaging

Last but not least, a reliable supplier is also ready to ship their products safely through secure, export-grade packaging. From choosing the best & safe material to prevent warping during delivery, to custom labeling for easy product tracking, MPP Furniture has implemented a shipping system that guarantees logistics efficiency for your business.

Consult Your Needs with MPP Furniture!

MPP Furniture is confident in being a reliable partner for your furniture sourcing project. Our 16,000 m² factory allows us to implement strict quality control at every production stage, from raw wood handling & assembling to export-ready packaging, ensuring defect-free products that meet the client’s expectations. Our 99% of satisfaction rate and only 0.56% of complaint ratio said so.

If you’re planning to launch an exclusive product line, we can also support you with our custom/ODM/OEM service. Supported by more than 200 craftsmen in-house who have mastered sophisticated joinery & artisanal touch, we’re ready to create the distinct design only made for your brand.

Ready to collaborate? Book a free consultation session, let’s talk, and see if our proposed recommendations interest you!