In a cross-docking system, pallets of material are
received on one dock, broken down into customer
specified loads while still on the dock and
transferred to outbound trucks. Items are not placed
in slots for storage.
A cross-docking system offers the advantage that
product is generally shipped in larger quantity which
minimizes the lifting of single units of product.
Larger quantities are usually moved via mechanical
means such as forklifts with little individual manual
handling. If pallets must be broken down into smaller
units, this can be performed without the confines of
storage racking. This facilitates the use of lifts and
other mechanical means and increases the access of
employees to product.
This type of system is not practical for many
grocery distribution warehouses. Their customers
generally do not deal in full pallet orders and the
diversity of product requires more floor space than is
practical. This system also requires a
high level of coordination of incoming and outgoing
product.
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Pallets are not stored in
racks in this system. Product is directly transferred on
the dock or warehouse floor.
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