Chicago is one of the largest logistics and transportation hubs in the United States thanks to its strategic location and connectivity. Companies that need effective cross docking services to transfer cargo between trucks with minimal storage and handling turn to the experienced warehouses in the Chicago area. You just need to find the best cross docking Chicago specialists to keep your products flowing.
What is Cross Docking?
Cross docking is an inventory management technique that transfers shipments directly between inbound and outbound trucks. The cargo skips the warehousing/storage step and goes straight to awaiting outbound trucks. It saves time and money compared to full warehousing services.
Benefits of Cross Docking in Chicago, Illinois
There are many advantages to using a cross dock operation compared to a full warehouse service including:
- Reduced handling and storage – Goods spend less time sitting in a warehouse. The process is faster from receiver to shipper.
- Lower costs – Companies save on inventory carrying, labor, and facility expenses with the streamlined operation.
- Faster delivery times – Cross docking significantly speeds up order completion and transit to end customers.
- Flexible scalability – It’s easy to scale cross dock operations up or down as volumes fluctuate.
Chicago Cross Docking Facilities
The Chicago metro area has an abundance of large and small cross dock facilities to meet a range of operational requirements including:
- Number of inbound/outbound docks
- Handling equipment – pallet jacks, forklifts, cranes
- Trailer/container parking
- Security features – fencing, guards, video surveillance
- Proximity to rail lines, airports, highways
Many warehouses offer additional value-added services beyond cross docking like packaging, labeling application, light assembly or customization. It’s easy to find a cross dock option tailored to your specific cargo volumes, space needs and service requirements.
The Port of Chicago
The Port of Chicago along Lake Michigan is an important asset that warehouse operators leverage for cross docking operations. It offers access to the Great Lakes and inland waterway system to move everything from containers to bulk commodities.
Goods frequently loaded/offloaded at the Port of Chicago that utilize local cross docks include:
- Steel
- Machinery
- Lumber
- Grain
- Fertilizer
- Salt
- Cement
Key reasons companies use the Port in combination with Chicago cross docking:
- Alternative to congested rail and highways
- Ability to handle overweight, oversized, hazardous or specialized cargo
- Cost savings over all-road transport
Cross Docking Infrastructure in Chicago
Chicago has a vast transportation infrastructure to facilitate cross docking operations including:
- Airports – O’Hare and Midway offering passenger and all-cargo flights
- Highways – Interstates 90, 94, 55, 290, 294 & 88 plus state routes
- Rail – 6 Class I railroads: BNSF, CSX, CN, CP, NS, UP
- Inland Waterways – Illinois River, Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal
This multimodal infrastructure allows warehouses to receive and ship goods in the fastest, most economical combination of air, truck, rail and barge.
How TransloadNow Can Help Find Cross Docking Warehouses
TransloadNow makes it easy to find and compare Chicago-area cross docking facilities for your shipping needs. Their intuitive directory allows you to search available warehouses to see:
- Location – Neighborhoods, proximity to airports/railyards
- Services – Cross docking, transloading, and packaging
- Contact Details – Email and phone number
- Hours of Operation – Days and times of warehouse operations
With its strategic Midwest location and freight infrastructure, Chicago has emerged as a major logistics hub. Cross docking warehouses help many manufacturers, producers and distributors based or operating in the area maximize distribution efficiency.
Finding the ideal cross dock operation in Chicago has never been easier thanks to the user-friendly search tools on TransloadNow.com. Click here to find a warehouse and find out how cross docking can benefit your supply chain.