Sorteringssentre

Sorteringssentre (sorting centers) are facilities used to receive, sort, and route items such as mail, parcels, or goods to their next destination. They function as nodes in logistics networks, aggregating items from multiple origins and directing them to transportation hubs, regional distribution centers, retailers, or customers. The main goal is to improve efficiency and reduce transit times by sorting items according to destination, service level, carrier, or item type.

In practice, sorting centers combine manual handling with automated equipment. Items are scanned or read by barcodes or RFID labels, then conveyed to sorting lines where they are divided by destination. Automated sorters, including tilt-tray, cross-belt, and pushers, process large volumes quickly, while manual sorters handle exceptions. After sorting, items are consolidated for outbound transport, placed on conveyors to loading docks, or prepared for cross-docking. Modern systems integrate with order management, yard management, and parcel tracking to provide visibility and control.

Sorteringssentre come in different forms. Postal sort centers manage mail and small parcels; parcel sort centers focus on e-commerce shipments; distribution centers may include sorting as part of broader storage and order fulfillment. The exact terminology and roles can vary by country or company, but the underlying function is to route items efficiently toward their final destination. Sorting centers are capital-intensive and depend on automation, data systems, and skilled staff, while also needing security and resilience to handle peak volumes.