National Distributing Company (NDC) has taken a big step into the future with the implementation of the ‘Warehouse on Wheels’ system by Demountable Concepts. This unique delivery system has allowed NDC to become more efficient while seamlessly servicing the local market from a distribution center nearly 100 miles away.

Until recently, NDC operated two warehouses in Southern Virginia, one in Richmond and the other in Norfolk. There was a duplication of real estate, inventory, labor and management, all in the name of providing daily service for the two largest metropolitan areas in the state. While both are key markets for the company, they realized that this duplication was a significant drain on company profits.

Company management researched various options on how to streamline their Southern Virginia operations. Ultimately, the decision to implement the Demountable Truck Body System proved to be the most cost effective. The system has allowed NDC to use locally based straight-trucks for delivery. There is no cross docking and the delivery drivers spend their entire time delivering product.

“Logistics planning and execution affect the core of any distribution operation,” said NDC VP, Director of Distribution and Logistics Stefan Kirshenbaum. “Optimizing logistics efforts makes us a better company and better suited to meet the needs of our suppliers and customers.”

At the heart of this new logistics system are demountable truck bodies. The bodies are interchangeable between the delivery trucks and shuttle trailers that are equipped to carry four at a time. Bodies are loaded with Norfolk deliveries at the Richmond distribution center during the day and then shuttled via tractor trailer. They are demounted at a designated drop point where the local delivery trucks mount them for their daily routes. The trailer returns to the distribution center with the previous day’s empties. The transfer drivers do this trip twice a night.

The system has allowed NDC to funnel capital into one state-of-the-art distribution center in Richmond, adding one of the most modern conveyor systems available, while still providing daily delivery service to a very important Norfolk market.

Trailers with 4 bodies at Richmond DC being loaded for Norfolk deliveries

Delivery truck in Norfolk ready to start it’s run.