Cross-Docking

The English term cross-docking means something like "cross-coupling" and refers to a certain type of goods handling in logistics. According to this, goods are no longer stored by companies and traders in their own warehouses, but are forwarded directly after production and sent to the recipient.

Basically, a distinction is made between three different variants of cross-docking:

1. one-step cross-docking: the goods are picked by the supplier, then forwarded to transhipment centres and finally delivered from there.
2. two-stage cross-docking: the goods are divided into new units at the transshipment point or cross-docking point and then dispatched.
3. multi-stage cross-docking: at the transshipment point there is the option of relabelling or packaging the goods using value-added services.

The advantages of cross-docking are generally shorter throughput times and a minimisation of storage space requirements, which at the same time reduces warehousing costs and also saves on rental, ancillary and personnel costs. In addition, cross-docking offers more flexibility and customers can be supplied more quickly.