A variety of trucks and
efficient full-case pick
operation help this
hectic DC manage
high throughput

• Use of double-length pallet jacks for trailer unloading and pallet transport streamlines handling and maximizes productivity

• Industrial trucks play a key role in the efficient cross-docking of 20% of the incoming inventory, which moves directly from receiving to shipping

• Staging of incoming goods at the dock minimizes trailer unloading cycle times at the busy dock area

• Orienting transport lanes perpendicular to both receiving and shipping docks provides unobstructed travel lanes for industrial trucks and efficient, flow-through handling of orders

• Reach trucks equipped with RF terminals support error-free putaway and picking operations in the narrow aisle storage area

• Locating the picking operating between storage areas minimizes travel distance for replenishment activities

• Locating the takeaway conveyor in the aisles of pick zones minimizes bending and reaching motions

As is the case with most grocery distribution DCs, speed is of the essence at this extremely highthroughput facility that receives inventory in pallet quantities and ships orders in both full and mixed pallet quantities. Incoming goods arrive on pallets and are staged on the receiving dock prior to put away in the narrow aisle storage area, consisting of five-level high, single-deep narrow aisle (9 ft) pallet racks. Full pallets are picked directly from pallet locations and staged at the dock for loading. In the pick-tobelt module, fast moving goods are picked from flow racks to an in-aisle takeaway conveyor. Extremely fastmoving goods are picked directly from pallet positions on the floor (the fastest movers will have multiple picking locations). Cartons travel by conveyor to staging lanes, where they will be assembled into mixed pallet loads. Powered turntables at the palletizing stations help to improve ergonomics.

Facility Layout

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