Final answer:
The term "frustrated freight" is correct for describing inventory left in a cross-dock overnight. Efficient shipping via optimal transport options is crucial for cost reduction, and intermodal containers greatly improved transport efficiency and impacted manufacturing competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that inventory left overnight in a cross-dock is often called "frustrated freight" is true. Frustrated freight refers to goods that are not successfully moved through the logistics chain as intended and end up sitting idle, thus increasing costs and reducing efficiency. This concept is particularly important as reducing the time and cost of transporting goods is essential for profitability and competitiveness in manufacturing and distribution.
Efficient shipping and logistics operations are critical for reducing costs and improving the speed and efficiency of delivering finished goods. Locations with easy access to transport options such as uncrowded freeways, or proximity to rail or water transport can be significantly more cost-effective. Conversely, congestion can increase costs dramatically.
The introduction of intermodal containers in the 1950s significantly lowered the cost and improved the efficiency of transport, profoundly affecting competition in the manufacturing sector. These containers enabled goods to be easily transferred between different modes of transport without the need for repacking, reducing costs associated with breaking bulk and contributing to the decline in manufacturing jobs both on docks and in factories due to increased overseas competition.