May/June 2014
■
The Port of Baltimore
[
27
]
Q
FlexiDay, Daily Chassis Rentals:
Available across the USA & Canada.
Baltimore, North
Jersey, Chicago, Houston, Oakland,
Long Beach, Seattle, Toronto
Jacksonville, Atlanta, Charleston, Memphis, Savannah
More locations coming.
* Tri-Axle sliders available
* 40-45 ft. extendable chassis available
Q
Chassis and Genset Leasing
Q
Chassis, Container, Trailer Repair
Q
Over 157,000 Leasable Chassis
“Fifty-five years of service to the
Intermodal Industry”
4901 Holabird Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
PHONE (410) 633-2400
/
FAX (410) 633-2544
/
www.flexi-van.com
Warm Service.
Delivered Cold.
For 86 years, you’ve
known us as Merchants
Terminal Corporation.
To better accommodate an
evolving market we, too,
have evolved by providing
a full line of services.
Introducing MTC Logistics.
To learn more please visit
us at www.mtccold.com
WAREHOUSING • TRANSPORTATION • TECHNOLOGY
www.mtccold.com
410-342-9300
Baltimore | Jessup | Wilmington
EXPANDING
at the Port of
Baltimore
streamlined for all inbound carriers. Cerrito
noted, “Drivers never need to get out of
their trucks, averaging 250 inbound loads
per day and shipping 130 to 140 outbound
loads to 32 locations — all accomplished
in one eight-hour shift.”
Ever-evolving technological enhance-
ments play a key role in distribution center
operations. As the MPA’s Greco has noted,
“We have seen more IT programs intro-
duced into the local DCs. Tracking and
merchandise management are very impor-
tant to DC efficiencies, and this is where
we see most of the IT implementation.”
The 1.7 million-square-foot IKEA
distribution center that sits on a 278-
acre property in Perryville, Md., utilizes
partially automated material handling and
retrieval systems. This helps the facility’s
550 “co-workers” handle about 1.75 million
pallets per year while providing inventory
to many U.S. IKEA stores. (Technology of
a different sort is also being put to use at
the IKEA DC, where, in 2013, Maryland’s
largest rooftop array of solar panels was
installed.)
With more than 300 stores in 26
countries and approximately two-thirds
of its production based in Europe, the
home furnishings giant makes good use
of having a distribution center close to
the Port. “Our proximity to Baltimore’s
port facilities increases efficiency with
the distribution of product imports on a
daily basis,” said Jeff Fish, Information
& Communication Manager with IKEA
Distribution Services North America.
Efficiency is near and dear to all
distribution centers. Fila, a leading global
designer of high-end footwear, prizes
its location right in the Curtis Bay area
of Baltimore. “Our proximity to the Port
allows us to keep our drayage cost down
