In a context where every hour counts, logistical performance, cost savings, and speed have become strategic levers for companies. Major brands, for example, often have distributed warehouses that do not necessarily meet demand. Renault has organized its warehouses by location instead of distributing the various parts. The goal is often to be able to deliver more easily and quickly.
Cross-docking, or transshipment, is another way to optimize flows and turn it into a competitive advantage. This technique is emerging as a key method for accelerating deliveries and reducing costs. The pharmaceutical sector uses cross-docking because refrigerated storage costs can be high and the customer receives deliveries more quickly. Indeed, delivering medications on the same day or the next day eliminates any risk of them exceeding their expiration date during their logistics journey.
By 2025, the global cross-docking market is estimated to reach over USD 250 billion, confirming its widespread adoption internationally.
In concrete terms, this approach involves eliminating the storage phase by transferring goods directly from receipt to shipment or reducing storage to less than 48 hours.
Leading industrial companies such as Walmart (a cross-docking pioneer), Ikea, Roche, and Pfizer use this method to optimize their national and international platforms. In the pharmaceutical sector, vaccines require very cold temperatures and have a limited shelf life once thawed. They are delivered "just in time." Many companies are thus able to outperform their competitors on delivery times.
For companies importing into Switzerland or managing a demanding distribution network, this method offers a decisive advantage.
With over 37 years of experience, STAR Logistique has perfected cross-docking to offer tailor-made solutions combining speed, reliability, and transparency.
The cross-docking process optimized by STAR Logistique
1. Receiving and Consolidation
Your goods, prepared and labeled, are delivered to our strategic platforms, particularly in Geneva and neighboring France.
They are then received, inspected, and grouped into batches ready for immediate shipment.
2. Data Processing and Labeling
At the same time, we receive your electronic shipping notification (DESADV).
Each package, equipped with a Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC), is scanned via our warehouse management system (WMS) to ensure accurate and error-free tracking.
3. Transfer and Loading
After verification, the products are moved directly to the outbound dock to be loaded onto delivery vehicles.
This operation takes place in a few hours, without passing through an intermediate warehouse. If necessary, the goods can be repackaged.
4. Real-Time Tracking
Thanks to our WMS technology, you benefit from complete traceability.
Each step—receiving, inspection, shipping, and delivery—is visible in real time from your customer area.
The benefits of cross-docking: efficiency and profitability
Adopting cross-docking with a specialized partner like STAR Logistique means improving performance while controlling costs.
Benefit Category
Description
Cost Reduction
The absence of storage can save up to 20% on warehousing and handling costs.
Operational Performance
Accelerated flows improve inventory turnover and shorten delivery times, increasing customer satisfaction.
Agility and Flexibility
Your supply chain becomes more responsive to fluctuations in demand or unforeseen market events.
Transparency and Reliability
Le suivi digitalisé réduit le risque d’erreurs humaines et garantit une traçabilité parfaite.
Various sources.
Solutions tailored to each sector
STAR Logistique's expertise allows us to adapt cross-docking to the specific requirements of each activity.
E-commerce and distribution
In e-commerce, speed is essential.
Our import cross-docking solutions allow e-commerce retailers to manage large volumes while optimizing fulfillment costs.
Temperature-controlled logistics
We handle the transshipment of sensitive products, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
Our infrastructure guarantees a controlled cold chain, with zones at +2°C to +5°C and -20°C as needed.
Valuable goods
With over 37 years of experience, STAR Logistique manages the transport and the transshipment of high-value goods — watches, jewelry, luxury goods, and delicatessen—in the strictest confidentiality and according to enhanced security protocols.
Why choose STAR Logistique for your cross-docking in Switzerland?
By choosing STAR Logistique, you're relying on a Swiss company that combines local expertise with international capacity.
Unlike large groups that offer standardized services, we favor a personalized approach based on proximity, flexibility, and trust.
Our teams manage the entire supply chain: customs clearance, transfer, final delivery, and digital flow management.
This integrated vision transforms the complexity of transport into a true competitive advantage for your company.
Conclusion
Cross-docking is more than a logistics method: it's a performance strategy.
By eliminating storage and optimizing flow circulation, it saves up to 48 hours on deliveries while reducing costs.
Thanks to its Swiss expertise and international experience, STAR Logistique supports you in implementing tailor-made, reliable, and sustainable solutions.
Ready to accelerate your deliveries? Contact our experts for a personalized analysis of your needs and discover how our cross-docking solutions can transform your supply chain.
Cross-Docking Switzerland 2025: Save 48 Hours on Your Deliveries