OTA, food industry groups develop guide to reducing delays at docks

TORONTO (June 4, 2002) — The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada, and the Ontario Trucking Association have jointly issued a set of best practices for companies involved in shipping and receiving food and packaged goods at grocery stores and distribution centres in Ontario.

The intent is to find ways to reduce delays at loading docks and improve relations among trucking companies, grocery distributors, and manufacturers of packaged goods manufacturers. Discussions about a set of best practices started two years ago amid complaints of mounting downtime and tighter delivery windows. All three groups independently found that incorrect pallet configuration and mixing of SKUs or co-mingling on a pallet as the major cause of trucks being delayed beyond two hours at the DCs. In addition, missed appointment times and other productivity and labour issues were contributing factors.

“All segments of the distribution chain will surely benefit, if the best practices that have been jointly developed, are adopted,” Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley said in a press release. “Shippers and carriers in other sectors might take a cue from those involved in foodservice and grocery distribution to ensure continued improvement in the efficiency and productivity of the supply chain.”

A full copy of the best practices report is available at www.ontruck.org and www.ccgd.ca and www.fcpmc.com.

The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) is comprised of small and large grocery wholesalers, foodservice distributors, and retail operations. The Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada (FCPMC) is an association of producers of food and other consumer goods. The Ontario Trucking Association is Canada’s largest provincial trucking association.