Cross docking is an effective solution that improves transportation service to customers and reduces handling and storage costs.  It allows clients to route product from one or multiple manufacturing site(s) to WestOne Logistics, Yellowstone Warehouse. Product may be shipped in bulk from the shipper to WestOne where it is then deconsolidated into multiple shipments and delivered directly to customers.  Additionally, special packaging and labeling requirements can be met as a value-added function of the WestOne cross-dock service offering.

 Cross docking is a sound strategy for companies that:

·        Find they are consistently shipping from manufacturing site(s) to multiple customers, resulting in frequent and costly small shipments (less-than-truckload) that have to travel long distances.  Cross docking allows companies to send bulk shipments via full truckload, intermodal container, or railcar to the Yellowstone Warehouse, making pool delivery possible and/or reducing the LTL expense by reducing the distance to the destination.

·        Require the unloading and merging of bulk shipments from various points of manufacture for the combining of specified SKU’s to fulfill individual or store orders.

·        Have a regional customer base that is far from the origin of manufacture and demands a short delivery window between the time of order placement and the requested delivery date.

·        Do not have the physical space, equipment, labor, or materials required for special order fulfillment, palletizing, labeling and packaging activities at their manufacturing site.

·        Wish to reduce the amount of excess inventory stored at their own facility or manufacturing site, either to reduce inventory carrying costs or simply due to limited available space.