Dock Equipment

Retail goods cross-
docking operation

Throughput is key at this fast-paced 3PL crossdocking facility that relies on versatile dock equipment to ensure safety

Rapid turnaround of orders is the primary mission of this 3PL crossdocking operation for a major retail chain. As is the case with any typical crossdocking operation, goods are staged, not stored. Incoming pallet loads are transferred directly to a pallet flow rack staging system (10 pallets deep) at the shipping dock, bypassing storage entirely. Individual cases, which make up approximately 25% of the volume, are sorted by destination and queued up on sortation lanes directly adjacent to the dock doors. A majority of products enter and leave the facility the same day. Given the hectic pace of this busy facility, management has paid particular attention to the safety and efficiency of dock operations, installing flexible hydraulic levelers, vehicle restraints with clear inside and out communication and dock seals to protect the dock from inclement weather.

• Locating shipping directly across from receiving minimizes travel distances and boosts throughput

• Easy-to-use hydraulic dock levelers accommodate a wide variety of truck sizes and facilitate quick loading/ unloading of trucks

• Vehicle restraint systems improve dock safety by minimizing trailer movement and eliminating potential for a vehicle to drive away during unloading/loading activities

• Advanced inside/outside dock communication system that notifies personnel of dock status at all 104 dock doors supports safe operations, and eliminates confusion – critical features for any busy dock area

• Dock seals increase worker comfort and minimize energy loss through the dock doors

• The longer and narrower the configuration of a crossdocking facility, the greater the inventory velocity

• Ample staging areas at both receiving and shipping help keep crossdocking activities organized and eliminate congestion

• Sortation conveyor automatically sorts individual cartons to appropriate shipping lanes, eliminating handling and speeding order processing; overhead design frees up floor space below

COMPLETE DOCK SOLUTION
FROM SERCO