Steve Harris, senior vice president of Middlebury, VT-based warehouse design consultancy Bread Loaf Corp., defines a smart warehouse as one that minimizes operational expenses while encouraging peak productivity. Close attention to details is critical in creating just such a distribution center. In the first in an occasional series, Harris answers a question about the “smart” way to direct truck traffic.
Q. From which direction should my trucks approach my loading docks?
A. This may seem a minor detail, but the overall suitability of your building is frequently affected by the driver’s route. Looking at the face of the docks from the outside, your trucks should drive by them left to right. This way, backing up to a loading dock requires the driver to back up to his left. Contrarily, if a truck approached the dock driving from right to left, the driver will have to back up to his right, obscuring his vision of the target. Not only is this more dangerous, but it takes longer, costing you time and money.
You’ll want to pay attention to such details when designing, buying, or leasing a distribution center. Loading docks are an expensive element of your distribution center that are always a nuisance to relocate or even shut down for any length of time. Your docks should never be forced out of service by any proposed expansion.
Do you want to make your warehouse smarter? E-mail your questions to [email protected], and Steve Harris may answer them in future issues.