ArcWest Architects has been working with R+L Carriers since July 2018 helping design distribution centers in and around medium to large metropolitan centers. Since our first project with R+L in Aurora, Colorado, ArcWest has designed approximately 3-4 R+L distribution centers per year in cities across the U.S. through 2025.
R+L was drawn to ArcWest for our experience with large site projects focused on logistics, as well as our experience with their preferred building models, including Pre-engineered Metal Building (PEMB).
These are very large cross dock distribution centers where “Over the Road” (OTR) semi trucks deliver materials from center to center across the country. Materials transported are generally from multiple sources routed to the same destination. Trucks arrive in the center early in the morning on one side of the dock and unload across the dock to smaller trucks on the other side destined to local facilities. Product is generally not stored in the facility as it goes straight from truck to truck. The smaller trucks then distribute their contents along local routes and pick up additional materials that are brought back to the distribution center to go the other direction into the proper truck destined for another distribution center. The entire process depends on having distribution centers across the country sized to allow the flow of trucks in and out without the jockeying of trailers from door to door.
Each facility is generally sized based on anticipated capacity and has an office component to handle the logistics associated with managing the flow of materials as well as employee functions. As this transportation company owns their own trucks and trailers, maintenance is extremely important. Each site has on-site maintenance facilities allowing any repair a truck or trailer needs to be completed on site as well as safety and routine maintenance. All fueling and safety inspections are completed on every truck that enters the facility before it leaves.
