Whether you work in a warehouse or have ever ordered goods online, you may have heard the word
“kitting.” Kitting is a procedure used in warehouses to put together various items or products to produce a
new product or kit that is subsequently distributed to a consumer. In this post, we will explain kitting in
more detail and explore its merits and challenges.
What is Kitting?
Kitting is a procedure where various things are combined together to produce a new product or kit.
These kits can include multiple things that are sold as a single unit. For example, if you were to acquire a
home gym kit, it may include weights, a bench, and numerous other pieces of equipment. Each of these
goods would have been fitted together in the warehouse before being shipped to the customer. For more
information on kitting, please visit: https://www.launchfulfillment.com/kitting-defined/
Types of Kitting
There are numerous forms of kitting that warehouses may use. Some of the most prevalent varieties
include:
Pre-kitting
Pre-kitting is a technique where kits are assembled in advance of customer orders. This can assist in
speeding up the fulfillment process and ensure that kits are ready to ship as soon as they are ordered.
Dynamic kitting
Dynamic kitting is a technique where kits are assembled on-demand as orders are received. This can be
handy for warehouses that deal with a high volume of orders with varied kit configurations.
Reverse kitting
Reverse kitting is a procedure where kits are dismantled to make individual objects. This can be handy
for warehouses that need to refill stock or breakdown kits that were not sold.
Advantages of Kitting
There are various benefits to employing kitting in your warehouse. Some of the most prominent benefits
include:
Increased efficiency
Kitting can help to increase the efficiency of your warehouse operations by minimizing the number of
individual goods that need to be chosen, packed, and dispatched. Alternatively, kits can be constructed
in advance, making the delivery process faster and more simplified.
Improved accuracy
By employing kitting, warehouses can limit the possibility of errors when completing customer orders.
Kits are assembled in advance, which means that there is less chance for mistakes during the packing
and shipping process.
Increased flexibility
Dynamic kitting can give warehouses additional flexibility when dealing with a high volume of orders with
different kit configurations. This can help to increase the speed and accuracy of the fulfillment process.
Difficulties of Kitting
While there are many benefits to employing kitting in your warehouse, there are also several hurdles to
consider. Some of the most major problems include:
Increased costs
Kitting can be more expensive than other warehouse activities, as it involves additional personnel and
supplies to assemble kits.
Inventory management
Handling inventory might be more complicated when employing kitting, as individual products may need
to be tracked separately from the kits they are utilized in.
Quality control
Ensuring that kits are assembled correctly and to a high standard can be a challenge, particularly if you
are dealing with a high volume of orders.
How to Implement Kitting in Your Warehouse
If you are considering using kitting in your warehouse, there are numerous steps you may take to ensure
a successful deployment. These steps include:
Evaluate your present warehouse practices
Before implementing kitting, it’s vital to examine your present warehouse processes to see if kitting is a
good fit for your operations. Consider aspects such as your order volume, the types of products you
handle, and your current fulfillment methods.
Determine the products that are suited for kitting
Not all products are suited for kitting. Determine the products that are regularly ordered together and
would benefit from being packaged as a kit.
Determine the kitting process
Decide on the kitting process that is best suitable for your warehouse. Will you pre-kit your products or kit
them on-demand? Will you employ reverse kitting to break down unsold kits?
Teach your employees
Ensure that your personnel are trained in the kitting process and understand how to build kits correctly.
Consider implementing a quality control method to ensure that kits are constructed to a high standard.
Invest in kitting software
Consider investing in kitting software that can help you manage inventories and streamline the kitting
process. Search for software that connects with your existing warehouse management system.
Kitting vs. Bundling
It’s vital to remember that kitting is different from bundling. Whereas kitting entails grouping different
components together to create a new product, bundling includes packing many products together that
are already marketed individually. For example, a store may bundle a shirt and pants together to create a
“outfit” but the shirt and pants are not dependent on each other like in kitting.
Kitting vs. Assembly
Assembly is another procedure used in warehouses that is often mistaken with kitting. Assembly
includes putting together many components to make a finished product. Unlike kitting, assembly
sometimes entails customizing products to match a specific customer order.
Kitting Software
Kitting software can be a beneficial tool for warehouses that use kitting. This program can help to
manage inventory, streamline the kitting process, and ensure that kits are constructed correctly.
Kitting in E-commerce
Kitting is particularly useful in e-commerce, as customers may order many things that are usually ordered
together. By employing kitting, e-commerce companies can deliver a speedier and more efficient
fulfillment process, leading to higher consumer satisfaction.
Kitting Best Practices
To ensure that kitting is successful in your warehouse, consider applying the following best practices:
- Periodically examine your kitting process to discover areas for improvement
- Educate your personnel on the kitting procedure and quality control criteria
- Employ kitting software to improve operations and manage inventory
- Periodically inspect your inventory to ensure that kits are assembled correctly and to a high
quality - Track client feedback to discover any concerns with the kitting process
Kitting Quality Control
Ensuring that kits are constructed to a high level is important to the success of kitting in your warehouse.
Consider employing the following quality control measures:
- Set quality control requirements for the kitting process
- Teach personnel on quality control requirements
- Periodically audit kits to ensure that they are installed correctly
- Create a procedure for recognizing and addressing quality control issues
Kitting Errors to Avoid
While introducing kitting in your warehouse, be sure to avoid the following mistakes:
- Without thoroughly analyzing your warehouse processes before implementing kitting
- Failure to instruct personnel on the kitting process and quality control standards
- Not investing in kitting software to manage inventory and streamline operations
- Neglecting to frequently audit kits for quality control issues
Conclusion
Kitting is a beneficial practice for warehouses that handle products that are regularly purchased together.
By grouping individual goods together to form a new product or kit, warehouses can enhance
productivity, increase accuracy, and deliver a better customer experience. While there are hurdles to
deploying kitting, following best practices and applying quality control methods can help to assure a
successful implementation.
FAQs
What is the difference between kitting and bundling?
Kitting includes grouping distinct goods together to form a new product, while bundling involves packing
many products together that are previously marketed individually.
How might kitting assist my warehousing operations?
Kitting can enhance efficiency, increase accuracy, and give a better customer experience by combining
frequently requested items together and packaging them as a kit.
What factors should I examine before implementing kitting in my warehouse?
You should examine your order volume, the types of products you handle, and your current fulfillment
processes before adding kitting.