Dictionary Definition

The dominant scheme for the layout of the facility is as a U-shaped flow. The advantages of a U-flow are as follows:

* There is very good utilisation of dock resources (doors, dock levellers, space, goods in/out staff), since receiving and despatch operations can share docks;

* U-flow makes cross docking easier, and also facilitates the immediate onward movement of incoming Just-in-Time supplies to the factory floor;

* U-flow gives excellent FLT utilisation, since putaway and picking trips can be combined;

* There is good security;

* U-flow design is inherently more flexible - it is easier to expand the various facility areas as operations change.
Other layout schemes are "Straight Through" (for distribution depots) and "Modular Spine".