30 Oct Cross-Docking in Allentown–A Quick Guide

What is cross-docking?

The name, cross-docking, originates in the actual process of receiving products through an inbound dock and transferring these products across the dock to an outbound transportation dock. A logistics practice in which inbound products from suppliers or manufacturers arrive on trucks/ trailers/ rail cars, and are unloaded and directly reloaded into outbound trucks/ trailers/ rail cars, cross-docking allows for products to be sorted, combined, or reworked for final delivery to different or similar destinations.

When is cross-docking necessary?

Cross-docking allows long haul trucking companies the ability to stage freight near its destination, prior to final delivery. At the same time, cross-docking is useful when truckload freight must be reworked due to poor load conditions, improper load sequencing or missed delivery appointments. And finally, cross-docking provides shippers the opportunity to meet delivery deadlines should the origin carrier be dealing with mechanical breakdowns or hours of service issues preventing them from making the final delivery.

Who needs cross-docking?

• Consignees who demand on-time, damage-free freight to arrive in good condition for cost-effective and safe handling at their facilities.
• Warehouses that must stay on schedule to meet productivity and timeline commitments. Because safety is a priority, shifted loads of jeopardize workers and must be restacked for efficient handling. Cross-docking allows for loads to be restacked and secured for safe unloading at the consignee.
• Carriers with multiple shipments on trailers often must reorganize shipments so the first delivery stop is on the tail of the trailer because most consignees will not handle another party’s freight and insist their freight is easily accessed. When trailers are not loaded incorrect stop order, cross-docking allows freight to be reworked into the correct order at a warehouse.
• Drivers who must meet stringent hours of service (HOS) regulations and ELD requirements are bound by legal operating constraints. ELDs, especially, eliminated the wiggle room previously available to drivers through paper logs, and this means drivers can no longer operate when their legal hours have been used. Cross-docking allows for another carrier to take over the last mile to legally deliver the load on-time.

Where can you find a good cross-docking partner?

Allentown Warehousing caters to freight forwarders, 3PLs, and long haul carriers. We provide the necessary services that keep shipments moving on-time and damage-free. We’re focused on the fastest-growing segment of the freight market–small shipments.

Our Allentown and Scranton warehouse locations will bridge the gap when you’re dealing with hours of service, overloads, or equipment issues. Our cross-docking services offer you the break you need when you’ve run out of time or space. Our fleet of 53’ dry vans, straight trucks, and cargo vans will move your freight to its final destination–challenging locations aren’t a problem for our experienced delivery team. And when you need last-mile delivery–Allentown Logistics has you covered, making sure your shipments are delivered on-time!