Hörmann UK has continued it longstanding partnership with Europe’s leading logistics property developer, Panattoni, by supplying an innovative, bespoke cross dock facility at Four Ashes Business Park in Wolverhampton, creating a state of the art logistics hub for the West Midlands region.
The £50 million development is part of the recent expansion of Four Ashes Business Park in Wolverhampton. The new hub has been constructed in response to an increase in demand for logistics facilities in order to help position the West Midlands as a central base for local manufacturers to facilitate their national and international distribution network.
The development, spanning across an impressive 448,000 sq. ft., includes a cross dock facility. This allows for a separate goods in and goods out facilities, improving both the efficiency and output of the hub as the number of vehicles that can be loaded and unloaded has potentially doubled.
As an exclusive supplier for Panattoni, Hörmann UK provided 60 loading bays, 52 standard bay dock shelters and eight double deck dock shelters, with the ability to increase double dock shelters on all dock doors, which allows for various sizes of vehicles to easily and safely use the facility. Hörmann UK has also supplied with LED external traffic lights to signal to drivers when they can safely pull off from the bay.
Hörmann UK has also provided LED Dock Lights which will light up the back of trailers when being loaded or unloaded, as well as vehicle alignment guides. This provides outstanding levels of safety for all individuals when loading or unloading is in process, as drivers are able to see where their vehicle needs to be safely parked when loading and unloading goods.
As the 60 loading bays have the ability to increase double dock shelters on all dock doors, they include versatile 3500mm long dock levellers that feature a 1000mm telescopic lip, to offer customers improved flexibility and safety when working with various vehicle sizes.
The dock levellers also allow for goods to be transported in and out of the vehicle in one single horizontal movement, resulting in a smoother and more time efficient operation that enables businesses to maximise on their productivity and increase potential turnover.
The double deck dock shelters are fitted with secondary electric roller blind top flaps to provide an efficient seal on smaller vehicles using the same bay. The dock shelters provide the option to transport goods in and out of the building using larger double deck trucks, as well as standard sized heavy goods vehicles. This will minimise any potential issues or complications that may arise during the delivery process for optimal efficiency.
Peter Carter-Wall, Construction Director at Panattoni, commented: “This was a really exciting project for Panattoni to undertake as it provides an innovative layout that enables businesses to maximise their operations by featuring two separate areas, one for goods in, the second for goods out. Hörmann UK has been our preferred partner for a number of years, so we were confident they could provide the highest standard possible.
“We also specified Hörmann UK’s 3500mm long telescopic lip dock levellers, which offer a good working range, above and below dock to suit double deck or container vehicles using the same bay compared to the standard industry offering. As a result, our customers are offered greater flexibility when it comes to the types of vehicles that are able to use the facility.
“One of the main challenges we faced at this site was maximising on the available space to provide the most durable and efficient logistics solutions possible. We knew that when it came to planning the loading bays and dock levellers, the Hörmann UK team would fulfil these requirements.”
As well as supplying Panattoni with loading bays and dock levellers, Hörmann UK also supplied sectional insulated loading bay and level access doors offering improved thermal efficiencies throughout the site.
Peter continued: “We have been using Hörmann UK as a trusted supplier for a number of years and have developed an excellent working relationship. When we specify Hörmann UK we have the additional peace of mind that the products are supported with an inclusive three-year maintenance and warranty package, far exceeding the industry standard.”
Projects Director for Hörmann UK, Tom Langley, added: “Last year, we were specified by Panattoni to supply products for 12 developments around the country. This resulted in an order of more than 500 dock bays, which is testament to our commitment to developing the highest standard in warehousing solutions for Panattoni’s clients.
“The Panattoni team focuses on what is required in the regions where their properties are located and work closely with us to ensure the products we supply are fit for purpose for a vast number of different end users. Developments such as Four Ashes are vitally important in terms of providing state of the art facilities for a number of different businesses and it was refreshing to see that the Panattoni team were prepared to take an innovative and alternative approach to the new facility’s design. It was a great project to work on and really showcases what both our businesses can do.”
HÖRMANN UK
Tel: 01530 516850
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