Manual Loading & Unloading

Right people. Right pace. Zero drama.

When freight can’t be handled by a forklift—or simply shouldn’t be—our trained crews step in to manually load or unload with care, speed, and accountability. From floor-loaded containers to mixed-SKU cartons, we keep your docks moving while protecting your product and your schedule.

When Manual Handling Makes Sense

  • Floor-loaded imports / devanning (parcels, cartons, loose goods)
  • Fragile or high-touch items that don’t belong on forks
  • Tight, complex, or non-standard spaces where equipment can’t reach
  • Mixed case picking / sortation by SKU, PO, destination, or store
  • Rework & recoveries (shifted loads, toppled pallets, over-height)
  • Event, retail, and jobsite deliveries where dock gear isn’t available

What We Do

  • Container & trailer unloading / loading (lumpers)
  • Count & verify against BOL/packing list; exception notes captured
  • Palletize, build, and wrap to your spec (block/column, height limits)
  • Sort, segregate, and stage by carrier, lane, or production area
  • Labeling & ticketing (SSCC, store, wave, or custom labels)
  • Load rework & securement assist (straps, load bars, dunnage)
  • Light value-add: kitting, inner-pack adjustments, QC pulls
  • Dock housekeeping: debris collection and dunnage consolidation

Safety & Quality First

  • Clear SOPs for lift technique, pinch-point awareness, and team lifts
  • PPE compliance (hi-vis, gloves, safety footwear as site requires)
  • Damage-prevention practices (edge guarding, layer pads on request)
  • Photo documentation available for exceptions and rework
  • Clean handoff: sign-off with counts, exceptions, and timestamps

How It Works

  1. Scope it – Tell us the lane, commodity, average carton size/weight, and target unload/load rate.
  2. Crew assignment – Right-sized team scheduled to your dock appointment.
  3. On-site execution – We check in, confirm the SOP, and get to work.
  4. Sort/palletize – Built to spec, wrapped, labeled, and staged.
  5. Verification & signoff – Counts, exceptions, and photos delivered to your team.

Flexible Coverage

Whether you need one trailer this morning, a container wave all week, or recurring shift coverage, we can align crews to your volume, seasonality, and carrier appointment times.

Industries We Support

  • Importers & distributors
  • Retail & big-box DCs
  • Food & beverage (case-pick, outer packs)
  • E-commerce & parcel consolidation
  • Manufacturing & assembly support
  • 3PLs / cross-dock networks

What to Expect From Us

  • Responsive scheduling (days, nights, weekends—by appointment)
  • Transparent billing (hourly, by-load, or project-based)
  • Real-time updates (arrived/started/completed)
  • Professional crews who respect your space, SOPs, and time

Pair this service with our Warehousing & Storage or Cross-Docking to compress dwell time and keep freight moving.

What do you need from us before you arrive?
Dock appointment window, shipment details (SKU mix, carton count, typical weights), pallet specs, and any special labeling or segregation rules.
Do you bring equipment?
We bring standard manual handling tools on request (hand trucks, box cutters, tape). If you need pallet jacks, shrink-wrap, or dunnage, let us know so we can stage it or use your site materials per policy.
How do you price manual unloads/loads?
Common models are hourly per crew, per-container/trailer, or fixed project. We’ll recommend the most cost-effective option after a quick scope review.
Can you handle heavy items?
Yes—within safe manual-handling limits and your site rules. For heavier pieces, we’ll plan team lifts or integrate mechanical assist and adjust crew size accordingly.
Will you sort and palletize to our spec?
Absolutely. We can build to store, PO, route, or SKU; apply labels; and wrap to your height/weight standards.
Can you help with rework if a load shifts in transit?
Yes. We’ll safely break down, rebuild, and re-secure the freight, documenting exceptions as we go.
Do you work after hours or weekends?
Yes—by appointment. Tell us your window and we’ll staff accordingly.

Get a Fast Quote

Tell us about your shipment and timeline. We’ll recommend the right crew size and pricing model.

  • Project type: Unload / Load / Rework / Sort & Seg
  • Volume: Containers/Trailers per day or week
  • Specs: Average carton size & weight, pallet build rules
  • Timing: Appointment windows, rush needs
  • Location: Facility address and site requirements

Ready to move?

Request a Quote or call (314) 429-1277.