A Day in the Life of Our Warehouse Staff

The wedding season is in full swing, and our working days are getting longer and busier. For the team at Expo Hire, this is peak season. We're constantly moving crockery hire and cutlery hire in and out of our warehouse, supplying events across the region.

Before the Day Officially Starts

The day's preparation begins before anyone officially clocks in. Overnight, our order management system finalises delivery and collection routes. It groups orders by geography to minimise drive time. Our logistics manager reviews these routes before the team arrives, making any necessary adjustments. This might include accommodating a late-arriving order, a customer rescheduling, or a change to access arrangements at a venue.

Any changes are communicated to drivers and warehouse staff before loading begins. Getting this right at the start saves significant time on the road later in the day.

8am: The Start of the Working Day

There is no standing around at the start of the day. Vans need to be loaded and on the road. The logistics manager has already worked out which orders go on which van. They ensure stock for the first stops is placed closest to the van doors.

Drivers and warehouse staff check off each order to confirm everything is loaded correctly and nothing gets left behind. Getting drivers on the road quickly is essential, and there is no room for delays at this point in the day.

Orders with fragile items, glassware in particular, are packed with care. Each glass goes back into its specific compartment in the crate. Stacking order inside the van also matters. Heavy items go in first and at the bottom. Lighter items go on top. Nothing is left loose that can shift during braking.

9am: Checking Through Returned Orders

With vans on the road, it is time to process orders returned from the previous day. Warehouse staff check that everything has come back as expected and prepare crockery and cutlery for washing. We ask customers to scrape food debris from plates and pour liquids out of glasses before returning them. This makes a real difference to how quickly the washing process goes.

Missing items are noted at this stage. If something is absent, the office team contacts the customer to arrange its return or to raise a charge. Catching this early in the day means customers can still find items before they are disposed of.

Linen returned wet or soiled goes into a separate wash queue. Items with wax, glue, or marker ink are assessed to see if they can be recovered. Linen that cannot be cleaned is written off and charged for at its replacement cost.

11am: Preparing Orders for Delivery

With orders constantly coming in, picking needs to stay on top of the workload. Orders are picked in delivery order, and the list grows as new orders arrive.

Picking is more than pulling items from shelves. Electrical items are tested to confirm they work. Gas appliances are checked thoroughly. For example, our patio heaters are tested for gas flow and ignition. Our sound systems are checked for power and output. This ensures everything is in perfect working order before it leaves the warehouse.

1pm: The Afternoon Rush

The afternoon often brings a surge of last-minute orders or amendments to existing ones. Our team works efficiently to accommodate these. This might involve adding extra chairs for an unexpected guest list or swapping a table size due to a venue change. We understand that event plans can evolve, and we aim to be flexible.

This is also when we start preparing for the next day's deliveries. We begin picking and packing orders scheduled for immediate dispatch. This proactive approach helps maintain our delivery schedule.

3pm: Stock Checks and Maintenance

While deliveries and collections continue, warehouse staff also conduct stock checks. This involves verifying quantities against inventory records. It ensures we have sufficient stock for upcoming events and helps identify any items that might be nearing the end of their usable life.

Maintenance is also a key part of the afternoon. This includes cleaning and servicing equipment. For instance, our dance floors are checked for any scuffs or damage and polished. Our lighting rigs are tested for bulb functionality and cable integrity. This attention to detail keeps our equipment in top condition.

5pm: Winding Down and Planning Ahead

As the day draws to a close, the team completes final checks. All returned items are accounted for. Any outstanding issues are logged for the next day. The warehouse is tidied and organised, ready for the next busy period.

The logistics manager reviews the following day's schedule. This includes confirming delivery times, vehicle availability, and staffing levels. This forward planning is vital for smooth operations, especially during busy periods like wedding season.

The work of our warehouse staff is the backbone of Expo Hire. Their dedication ensures that every event, from intimate parties to large-scale weddings, has the high-quality equipment it needs, delivered on time and in perfect condition.