Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has opened a new Central Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) in partnership with Bradford Airport Logistics to streamline how consumable products are delivered to restaurants, retailers, premium spaces and lounges, janitorial and other service providers across all of the airport’s terminals.
The 90,000ft2 (8,361m2) secure logistics facility provides a centralized location where deliveries are received, screened and consolidated before being distributed throughout DFW, reducing roadway congestion, enhancing security and creating a more efficient process for airport businesses. By consolidating deliveries, the facility also reduces the number of supplier vehicles traveling on terminal roadways and entering sensitive airport operating areas.
“The Central Receiving and Distribution Center is one of the most transformational investments DFW has made in its logistics operation to support our terminals,” said Ken Buchanan, DFW’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “It fundamentally changes how goods move across the airport and allows our concession partners to spend less time managing deliveries and more time focused on serving customers. As our region and airport continue to grow, this is the kind of infrastructure that grows the customer experience with it.”
Consolidated deliveries
Rather than hundreds of individual supplier deliveries entering the secured airport environment each day, deliveries are coordinated through a single, purpose-built facility designed specifically for airport operations. Goods are consolidated onto dedicated vehicles for scheduled deliveries across the airport, enabling fuller loads and more predictable deliveries while reducing vehicle traffic.
Concessionaires will also have access to technology that provides greater visibility into their deliveries. According to DFW, the centralized model improves efficiency while helping maintain high security standards.
“Bradford Airport Logistics has been the primary catalyst and developer of commercial airport CRDC growth and innovation within the US and global aviation industry,” commented David Fitzgerald, Bradford Airport Logistics chief executive officer. “We are proud to operate this showcase facility, the world’s largest airport CRDC, on behalf of DFW.”
Temperature controlled screening
Bradford Airport Logistics will operate the facility in partnership with DFW, providing centralized receiving and distribution services for concessionaires, premium spaces and lounges and other supporting services across the airport. The facility features the world’s largest walk-in freezer within a US airport CRDC, including a custom, first-of-its-kind screening environment that enables chilled and frozen goods to be screened while remaining temperature controlled and without requiring screening personnel to work inside the refrigerated area.
The CRDC also features the airport industry’s first integrated on-site recycling facility, supporting reverse logistics and the collection of recyclable materials, including plastics, metals, paper and glass from DFW’s terminals.
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