Cross Docking & Cross Dock Applications
Cross docking as a supply chain strategy has many strengths and possibilities. It can be used to streamline components of an existing distribution network or to prepare a business for growth.
Benefits of cross docking include:
- Accelerated Product Flow
- Cost Savings
- Cross docking offers significant reductions in bottom line costs
- Storage time, amount of inventory carried, and handling costs are reduced or eliminated.
- Faster, Cheaper Routing
- Cross docking provides a faster and less expensive way of routing shipments from suppliers by consolidating products bound for the same destination.
- Supports Customer Needs
- Combines multiple supplier networks, launching specific promotions, and other marketing strategies
Types of cross dock applications:
- Manufacturing Cross Dock
- Use Cross Docking for the receipt, consolidation, and shipment of a pre-defined quantity of raw materials or component parts, typically from many suppliers, to the product plant.
- Distributor Cross Docking
- Cross Docking is performed on a wide variety of merchandise. Typically it is conducted in operations where various manufacturers, making complementary items, ship their merchandise to a common distributor who assembles the products on a multi=SKU Pallet before delivery to the next level of the supply chain.
- Transportation Cross Docking
- Transportation companies sort and consolidate parcels and pallet loads based on geographic destination.
- Retail Cross Docking
- Products are received at these retailers' distribution centers, moved across the dock, and married with other products bound for the same store.
- A few types of display-ready-pallet builds for end-users fit the cross dock profile; items are off-loaded but not put-away, the display ready pallet is built, and then released without being put-away.All would have to transpire within 24 hours.
Is Cross-Docking a distribution strategy you are
considering for your organization?
If so please contact
us and we will review your business
case. We will provide an objective assessment that contains the
benefits, drawbacks, and state of readiness within your organization
to implement a cross dock application.
Additional Value Added Services:
- Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)
- Pick and Pack Shipping Services
- Kitting and Light Assembly
- Quality Control - Product Inspections/Item Rework
- Returns Management
Supply Chain Solutions
Let's discuss your needs. Benchmark SCM adds value and provides solutions.
Please call us at (763) 390-5816 or contact us online.
