DOCKZILLA HELPS EXPAND DIRECT DELIVERY WITHOUT BRICK-AND-MORTAR
The grocery landscape is fueled by shopper demand for lightning-fast delivery. This has sparked a race among retailers to find innovative solutions to quickly expand delivery in local markets.
Dockzilla helped one of the nation’s largest grocery chains implement their “hub and spoke” model to fulfill same-day delivery orders without the need for long-term real estate commitments or permanent construction. The model operates with larger distribution centers (hubs) sending items to smaller facilities (spokes) to fulfill shopper orders.
We engineered custom Mobile Cross Dock solutions at multiple locations, with our application acting as temporary sorting stations. This allowed for temporary, efficient offloading and faster delivery times for the shopper.
Results at a Glance:
- Five Mobile Cross Dock solutions in four different cities across the country, configured to customer specs
- Custom engineered solutions to include Mobile Cross Docks that connected to existing facilities and could standalone
- Mobile design allows unit to be re-positioned or relocated to other sites
Attach mobile cross dock to single loading dock door for instant 10-dock expansion
Remote mobile cross dock transforms parking lot into a high-speed distribution hub
Quickly Deploy Temporary Distribution Hubs in Local Markets
Our customer was racing against the clock to upstart last-mile grocery delivery to shoppers in regional locations.
Given the market testing opportunity, they didn’t want to invest the time and money into permanent construction. They were looking for a temporary solution that would allow their business to be operational in a matter of months.
Project Must-Haves:
- Built-to-spec sorting centers that can standalone or attach to an existing structure
- Sorting centers must include electrical, conveyors, lighting, fans & loading dock equipment
- Option to move structure to different locations/markets as needed
- Service ramps to address the 16-24 inch height discrepancy in standard trailer height
The Solution
Dockzilla turned multiple pilot sites into “spoke” distribution centers for turnkey market testing with the addition of its prefabricated, modular Mobile Cross Docks. This was a cost-effective way to test in local markets without traditional construction or investing in real estate
Instant 10-Dock Expansion
The Mobile Cross Dock’s versatility is unmatched, our grocery chain customer uses them in two ways. They attach them to a single dock door to add last mile distribution to current distribution centers. And they use them as freestanding units to create stand-alone last mile distribution centers in remote locations.
Internal Configuration Built-to-Spec
All the work is done off-site so when the Mobile Cross Docks arrive onsite, they have been pre-built with electrical, lighting, heaters and fans and were quickly set-up to be operational. Each element of the Mobile Cross Dock is customizable based on customer needs.
All Loading Dock Equipment Included
Mobile Cross Docks come fully loaded with dock equipment and can be customized per customer needs with features like adaptable flip plates and shelters for efficient, safe product transfer between various vans to minimizing gaps and optimize cart movement.
The Results
Presence Without Brick-And-Mortar
Our customer added same-day delivery in markets without having a physical grocery story location, creating a significant advantage over its competitors. This allowed them to move into localized markets at a much lower price point.
Fulfillment To Meet Consumer Demand
The grocery chain seized the moment to propel its fulfillment network and meet shopper demand for faster grocery delivery times—all while eliminating the need for third-party marketplaces.
Fast & Simple Last Mile Domination
The hub & spoke model will continue through 2024 with the goal of adding nearly a dozen more regional sites fueled by Dockzilla Mobile Cross Docks.
Ask an Engineer
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CROSS DOCKING PLATFORM
Dockzilla’s freestanding distribution platforms create high-speed cross docking and transloading capabilities on any property.
DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE
Dockzilla’s Distribution Warehouse combines modular buildings and loading dock equipment to stand up a high-speed fulfillment center and last-mile distribution anywhere needed.