One of the major aspects to consider in the logistics of shipping is storage. Whenever goods are not in transit, they need to be warehoused. Additionally, handling and operating costs involved with storing the merchandise can quickly become prohibitively expensive. In the case of perishable goods, loss can also be high if merchandise sits too long between origin and destination. That’s where cross-docking comes in, as a method of reducing these costs and liabilities to freight services.
Cross-docking is the means of unloading and re-distributing materials from one shipping conveyance to another in order to minimize or eliminate the need for storage. Goods are sorted for shipments intended for different destinations, or combined into shipments headed to the same destination. Cross-docking can involve different methods of shipping, such as semi-trailer and railroad. Unloading and loading is commonly accomplished at hub locations. From there, shipments are consolidated or de-consolidated as necessary, then continue along distribution channels in the supply chain known as spokes, to their final destinations.
In addition to reducing the need for storage, cross-docking serves to speed up as well as streamline the shipping process. Cost is also reduced by virtue of the fact that cross-docking requires less storage space and warehousing. Since more goods can be shipped more quickly and cheaply, this can also result in greater demand for the supplier’s goods from the end user.
Crossdock Manitoba has the equipment and experience needed for cross-docking all types of freight, including slip sheets, paper rolls, skidded freight, appliances, and manual loading/unloading. If you’re looking for supply chain solutions in Winnipeg that meet your needs, give us a call today.