Implementing cross-docking facilities within a third-party logistics provider

Abstract: Cross-docking implementation within Third-Party Logistics Providers has increased over the past decade, especially in retail industries due to benefits such as lower inventory carrying cost, increased service levels, fewer overstocks, and reduced labour costs. The research presented in this dissertation investigates the impact of implementing crossdocking warehouses at Imperial Cold Logistics, which is currently known as Imperial Consumer Packaged Goods (Cold). Furthermore, this study aims to fill in the knowledge and data gap in the extant literature on cross-docking, as that is necessary in understanding the impact of cross-docking warehouses within a South African context. This study employs a single case study data collection methodology, to explore crossdocking within the context of a company that experienced a complex problem. Secondary data was sourced from the company in addition to a literature review, while the primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews. This study focused on the distribution centres located in Bloemfontein and Polokwane, as these are the distribution centres were changed into cross-dock warehouses. This study compares the differences between stock-holding sites and cross-docking sites, and investigates the impacts and benefits thereof. From the findings, it may be argued that the main reason why the two distribution centres were changed into cross-dock warehouses was that they were facing space constraints, in addition to the company’s management’s unwillingness to acquire additional warehouses or enlarging the area of the current warehouses...M.Com. (Business Management