At the same time, SKU levels are exploding at an exponential pace, and an increasing variety of packaging options adds even more SKUs to the mix.

The bottom line is nothing less than a complete paradigm shift for delivery operations. Route selling is giving way to pre-selling, orders are being pre-staged on pallets or on wheeled carts that can be rolled from the dock to the truck, and then to retailer’s shelves. An evolving product mix finds many distributors in need of solutions for delivering temp-controlled or multi-temp loads.

Increasing operating costs are forcing distributors to constantly evaluate load configurations to achieve maximum productivity. In markets where second shift deliveries are practical, moving from straight trucks to tractor-trailers allows a fleet to move more product with fewer power units.

Many distributors are looking at new body and trailer configurations to reduce the number of vehicles required to deliver product, while enabling drivers to service more customers per shift. Here’s a look at some available solutions:

‘Megaflex’
For those fleets not wanting to pick between side-load and end-load designs, Group Hesse has the perfect answer in the “Megaflex,” which incorporates a combination of rear and side loading capabilities. Available as a body (4-12 bay) or a trailer (12-20 bay), the Megaflex incorporates hinged floors and swing partitions, plus access doors on both sides and the rear. The capability of delivering pallets or carts to a dock, and smaller orders from the side, fulfills many distributors’ needs.

According to Hesse’s Ken Mannen, US sales engineer, “The trend seems to be moving toward larger bodies and trailers, in both height and length. The length of a body is restricted by the wheelbase, and to some degree the Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVW) of the chassis, limiting the body to a 12-bay or maybe a 14-bay with narrow bay widths. However, the bays of these bodies can be divided vertically with shelving, so height has been increasing.”

Combination bodies and trailers are increasing in popularity. This could be a combination of bay widths to accommodate varying pallet sizes, and/or combination of refrigerated and non-refrigerated bays to satisfy specific brewery requirements. “One of our projects is to expand the ergonomic options available,” says Mannen. “Those who continue to utilize side loading equipment are still confronted with injury issues due to the working height from the ground, so pull-out steps, lightweight removable platforms and external grab handles are gaining in popularity.”

‘Warehouse on Wheels’
When consolidation involves distant branches, many distributors look for ways to eliminate excess warehouse facilities.
Olinger Distributing recently consolidated three warehouses in Indiana into a single centralized distribution center by implementing the “Warehouse on Wheels” truck-based distribution system from Demountable Concepts. The Demountable system is a hub-and-spoke delivery system that utilizes a semi-trailer for line-hauling truck bodies; straight-truck power units for making local deliveries in the outlying market; and truck bodies that can be transported with semi-trailers and straight-trucks.

Truck bodies are loaded at the distribution center with orders for the distant routes. Once loaded, the bodies are shuttled to outlying markets and demounted at a drop-yard. Next, local delivery trucks mount the body for their route and make their deliveries. Bodies from the previous round of deliveries return to the distribution center on the semi-trailer.

Eric Lis, Olinger Distributing’s VP of operations, tested the Demountable system against cross-docking before making a purchase commitment. “Consoli-dating the warehouses drove improvement throughout the entire organization by centralizing redundant functions,” says Lis. “Since implementation, the company has achieved a significant reduction in operating costs by shuttering three warehouses.”

By using the Demountable system, Olinger achieved 20 percent growth with no increase in inventory levels.

Wine Body Route Saver
The latest addition to the RouteSaver line at Mickey Truck Bodies has been designated as their Wine Body, although it will be equally beneficial to distributors of spirits, craft beers or any specialty beverages where variety outstrips volume in a typical delivery order.

Cart delivery systems are gaining in popularity as distributors are seeking to increase the efficiency of their delivery operations, but the cart concept is far from new. What is new, is Mickey’s development of a body as a purpose-built, turn-key cart delivery system.

Mickey installs logistics track and retainer bars in the best location to stabilize the carts en route. To provide additional access to the carts after the first few deliveries are completed, Mickey provides racks to hang the empty cart bases and handles at the rear of the truck. A dock-friendly liftgate, configured specifically for the cart dimensions, allows the truck to serve customers with or without dock facilities.

From Beverage World February 15, 2010