Reloading, cross-docking

Cross-docking is a method of managing goods in a warehouse that minimizes the need for long-term storage. In practice, it involves the quick transfer of goods that are delivered to the warehouse onto other vehicles for further transportation. The goal of cross-docking is to speed up the delivery process and reduce the costs associated with storage. Goods pass through the warehouse but do not stay there for long – often only for a few hours.

There are several primary forms of cross-docking:

1. Palletized goods cross-docking – this type involves goods being delivered on pallets and directly reloaded onto another mode of transportation with minimal handling. It is one of the simpler and more common models, especially for large-volume goods.
2. Cross-docking of products pre-packaged by the supplier – in this case, products are ready for shipment according to consumer needs and may be repackaged or prepared, for example, for special promotions. This approach requires close collaboration between the supplier and the logistics operator.
3. Cross-docking combined with order picking and goods handling in the warehouse – this form of cross-docking is more complex, as it includes additional tasks such as sorting, order picking, or splitting goods before they reach the final recipients.

A supply chain is the entire process that encompasses everything needed for a product to reach the final customer from the manufacturer. The supply chain begins with raw materials, which are processed into products, includes their transport and storage, and ends with the delivery of the finished product to the consumer. Many different companies and organizations participate in the supply chain – from raw material suppliers to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The goal of supply chain management is to deliver products efficiently and economically in the right time, place, and quantity.