What Is A Kitter?
If you're unfamiliar with the term, a warehouse kitter packs and ships orders from a warehouse. They may also receive and unpack shipments and keep the warehouse organized. It's an important job that helps keep businesses running smoothly. So what does it take to be a successful warehouse kitter? Read on to find out!
What is Kitting and What Does a Kitter Do?
Kitting is the process of gathering and packaging components into kits to streamline assembly or fulfillment operations. A kitter is the person responsible for assembling these kits.
In a warehouse setting, the kitter gathers items, packages them into kits, applies labels for easy identification, and organizes the kits to optimize workflow. Kits may contain manufacturing components, products for shipment, or collections of items grouped to simplify handling.
Key Responsibilities of a Kitter
- Assembling components into predefined kits
- Accurately labeling each kit for content identification
- Tracking inventory quantities during kitting process
- Inspecting finished kits for completeness and quality
- Following safety protocols and proper equipment operation
Types of Kitting
There are two main types of kitting:
1. Material Kitting
In manufacturing, components and raw materials are kitted together to improve assembly efficiency. For example, all the parts needed for a product's sub-assembly might be grouped into kits. This saves assembly line workers from sourcing multiple items from different warehouse locations.
2. Product Kitting
Product kits group finished items together for simplified handling during order fulfillment and shipping. This allows pickers to grab a pre-defined kit with all necessary items instead of collecting each product individually. It streamlines fulfillment workflows.
Becoming a Warehouse Kitter
While some kitters have college degrees, a high school diploma is generally sufficient. More important is gaining hands-on warehouse experience, such as:
- Stocking shelves
- Picking items for orders
- Packing boxes
- Using warehouse equipment like forklifts
Developing strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and teamwork abilities are also key for succeeding as a kitter. Familiarity with warehouse safety protocols, common products, and labeling techniques can also help prepare you for a kitter role.
Benefits of Kitting
Key benefits that kitting offers warehouses and fulfillment operations include:
- Improved efficiency - Workers assemble kits faster than gathering individual items
- Reduced costs - Less labor needed for material handling and inventory
- Improved accuracy - Easy identification of missing or incorrect items
- Increased capacity - More orders fulfilled with existing staff
- Prevented packing issues - Ability to repack kits before shipping
Choosing a Kitting Service
When selecting a kitting service provider, key factors to consider include:
- Operation scale - Hire in-house kitters or use a 3rd party service?
- Industry experience - Deep understanding of processes
- Reviews - Reliable service and satisfied customers
With an experienced kitting partner, you can optimize efficiency, reduce fulfillment costs, and scale your business.
Recommend: How To Outsource Pick Pack And Ship
FAQs
What is kitting?
Kitting is gathering components or products into predefined kits to optimize manufacturing assembly or order fulfillment workflows in a warehouse setting.
What does a kitter do?
Kitters assemble material and product kits by gathering items, packaging them, accurately labeling each kit's contents, tracking inventory, and inspecting finished kits before shipping.
Why is kitting important?
Kitting improves efficiency, accuracy, capacity, and costs in warehouse operations. Workers can assemble orders faster, make fewer errors, fulfill more orders without adding staff, and reduce expenses related to material handling and inventory.
What are the types of kitting?
The two main types are material kitting to streamline manufacturing assembly and product kitting to simplify order fulfillment processes.
How do you become a kitter?
Most kitters need a high school diploma and hands-on warehouse experience like stocking, picking, or packing. Organizational abilities, attention to detail, and teamwork skills are also essential.
What are the benefits of kitting?
Key benefits include improved efficiency, lower costs, higher accuracy, increased warehouse capacity, and prevented packing issues that could delay shipments.
How to choose a kitting company?
When selecting a kitting service, key factors are operation scale, industry experience, competitive pricing, reliable processes, satisfied customers, and outstanding support.
