Freight in motion

摘要

DHL Global Forwarding relies on electric lift trucks, rack and floor storage, and supply chain execution software to efficiently and quickly receive and prepare freight for export around the globe. Opened early last year, DHL Global Forwarding's 445,000-square-foot distribution center located next to the runways at Chicago's O'Hare airport is the largest facility in its North American network. Using efficient processes enabled by electric lift trucks and realtime execution software, most cargo is inspected, cleared through customs and ready for shipment within 24 hours of receipt. Designed from the ground up for crossdocking, product comes in through dock doors on the south side of the building, is processed in the middle and consolidated for shipment on the north side of the building near the shipping docks. Finally, the facility handles export and import product, with processes for both. Note the opportunity charging stations (7), where lift trucks are charged during breaks.