The loading bay is the focal point of the warehouse and must be planned properly so that it can operate efficiently. If a loading bay is too crowded there is a greater risk of accidents. The area must therefore be flexible enough to manage the workload in the short term but must also be able to remain productive as the business expands in the longer term.
This article was first published in the February 15th 2022 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
There are a wide range of models and truck dimensions, and it is common for vehicles of different heights to park in the same dock. This means warehouse operators will need to accommodate all vehicle sizes when selecting their loading bay equipment. In order to determine the average height of the vehicles in the bays, operators will need to look at the lowest loaded lorry and highest unloaded lorry that they frequently deal with (BID Group advises omitting occasional vehicles with extremely low or high floors when calculating average floor height).
Hörmann UK have supplied full loading bays with safety and operational equipment including dock buffers, dock lights and traffic lights, plus sectional level access doors and fire exit doorsets at Panattoni’s 305,000 sq. ft Crewe warehouse. The 27 loading bays consist of Hörmann SPU F42 sectional doors with HTL-2 dock levellers, featuring a 1 metre telescopic lip which provides an optimal range loading platform. This enables precise bridging for a variety of vehicle types and a guarantee of fast, efficient, and most importantly safe loading and unloading.
Loading and unloading specialists, Thorworld Industries, has supported a leading chemicals specialist with the installation of a new modular dock, to support employees and business operations at its Cheshire site. Genesys International needed support to help improve loading and unloading times of 20ft and 40ft containers, as well as loading box trailers more efficiently. In addition to this, the modular dock was needed to ensure Genesys’ employees were able to do their job safely and efficiently.
One of the UK’s leading food and confectionery manufacturers has a potentially more efficient loading bay after installing a pair of Stertil FlexiEdge fast-action doors to provide access to a fork truck drivers training facility and a stores area within its manufacturing and distribution complex in York. Standard models in Stertil’s FlexiEdge range are available in widths up to 11 metres and heights of 5.5 metres whilst bespoke and special sizes may be specified. The range provides standard travel speeds up to 2.7 metres per second (opening) and 1.2 metres per second (closing) to shorten work cycles and increase productivity.
If the layout of the loading bay is thoughtfully planned, the area can maximise productivity while maintaining a high safety standard.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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