Cross-Docking
Cross-docking is a logistics strategy that involves unloading materials from a manufacturer or mode of transportation directly to the customer or another mode of transportation, with little or no storage in between.
Unlike traditional warehousing, where goods are stored for extended periods, cross-docking accelerates product flow, resulting in reduced storage expenses and minimized handling. This approach involves the direct transfer of incoming products from suppliers to outbound transportation, with minimal or no storage duration.
There Are 2 Main Types of Cross-Docking:
Pre-Distribution Cross-Docking
This type of cross-docking entails sorting and loading goods before their departure from the supplier. Moreover, this process involves identifying the customer even before the goods depart from the supplier’s warehouse.
Post-Distribution Cross-Docking
Goods are sorted and loaded subsequent to their arrival at the distribution center. Furthermore, this process entails the customer’s identification taking place solely upon the goods’ arrival at the distribution center. Indeed, it allows for more efficient handling and quicker movement of products from the distribution center to the customer.