Designing Docks for Cart Deliveries
by James Jonas
When the San Antonio Express-News implemented its new cart-delivery system in 1993, it was still using loading docks designed for bundle delivery. The newspaper had to hire up to six temporary workers per press run to help load carts inside the mailroom and push them to two dock areas, where drivers wheeled them into their trucks.
In August 1996, construction began on a project to remove the small, three-foot-by-four-foot conveyor doors and replace them with larger, roll-up dock doors. The larger doors enable the movement of the carts from the building at each conveyor line. The initial phase of the nine-door installation project was completed in October 1996.
In January, three mailroom machinists began designing and constructing nine steel-structure docks. The docks connect to an elevated steel floor built into the mailroom, up to the main conveyor that moves bundles from the tying machines. Each bay has a work space of 14 feet by 17 feet as well as a loading conveyer that can telescope over the dock and into the back of the truck. Drivers can load carts in or behind their trucks. The last dock was completed in March.
 Larger dock doors are an integral part of the San Antonio Express-News' cart-delivery system. |
The Express-News loads more than 1,200 carts per week and has expanded the use of carts to Sunday pre-ships.
According to estimates, the newspaper will save more than $45,000 a year by reducing the number of temporary workers required in the loading process. In addition, during the most time-critical press runs, the docks have helped improve delivery times by up to 10 minutes.
It's been said that no one ever has enough time or money. In its dock project, the distribution department of the Express-News found a way to save some of both.
James Jonas is transportation manager of the San Antonio Express-News. He can be reached by phone at (210) 250-2116 or by fax at (210) 250-2109.