An Exploratory Analysis of the Use of Stop-Offs in Physical Distribution Systems

In recent years freight consolidation has received increased attention as a way to reduce both transportation costs and investments in inventories and warehouse facilities both of which are desirable objectives in an environment of high interest rates and inflation. Research of freight consolidation reported in the literature has dealt only with one method or technique of freight consolidation, namely, pool distribution (Masters, 1980; Jackson, 1981).1 Besides pool distribution there are several other methods which can be employed to consolidate small orders into large shipments such as multiple tenders and stop-offs to load or unload. It is the purpose of this paper to present a detailed description of stop-offs through a review of the literature dealing with stop-offs and to present the results of an exploratory analysis of the use of stop-offs in physical distribution.