The quality approach to product development and manufacture is matched by the project management approach Hörmann employs. A team of project managers gets out on site to work directly with the customer to ensure that the right solutions are chosen and then installed correctly. The added benefit of this hands-on approach is direct feedback to new product development, that maintains the lead that Hörmann enjoys in real world solutions.
Working from the planning stage with architects and business owners, Hörmann’s project team provides extensive knowledge and expertise to help create the best options to meet the demands of safety, operational efficiency and sustainability.
One route to better sustainability is to extend the life cycle of all equipment which has a two-fold impact. Service and maintenance support becomes more critical and secondly the initial design requires a greater degree of flexibility. This enables a loading operation to adapt to changing business needs.
An example of this was achieved when working with architects Stephen George and Partners LLP on a regional distribution centre for BMW, at Prologis Park Pineham. Delivering parts for BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW motorcycle dealers throughout the UK and Ireland, made the flexibility to handle a wide range of vehicle types in the loading bays one of the key requirements for this design.
Extra long telescopic lips on dock levellers were fitted to extend the range of vehicle loading heights that could be accommodated. Split lips on some bays were incorporated to load and unload smaller vans. Even double deck trailers can be handled with 4500mm high DTS dock shelters, fitted with electrically operated roll up head flaps to adjust to the size of the vehicle on the bay.
Not only were all these flexible options designed into the building, which gained BREEAM “Excellent” accreditation and the best Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for its size category, but future flexibility was also added. “Knock through” precast concrete door panels have been placed between the current loading bays so that additional bays could be easily installed should BMW’s needs change. This also adds to the long term use of the building which could readily be modified for any future tenants. Extending the potential life of the building in this way helps to reduce its environmental impact, a key factor for the logistics industry.
Hörmann (UK) Ltd
Tel: 01530 516888
Email: info@hormann.co.uk
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