A Heuristic Approach to the Design of Optimal Cross-Docking Boxes

Multinational companies frequently work with manufacturers that receive large orders for different products (or product varieties: size, shape, color, texture, material), to serve thousands of final destinations (e.g., shops) requesting a combination quantities each product. It is not the manufacturers’ task create individual shipments destination. But can deliver part their production in so-called cross-docking boxes other containers) few+ (say, three) types, type containing given assortment, i.e., products. At logistics center, destination are then made plus additional “picking” units. The expensive picking, since require little or no manipulation. problem we solve this paper is, set destination, design box types order minimize picking. We formally define variant and develop heuristic method it. Finally, present extensive experimental results on real-world benchmarks proving our approach gives high-quality solutions (optimal near optimal) very limited amount time.