Hörmann UK have over 80 years’ experience in the manufacture of industrial doors and loading technology, being a key supplier to all the major developers across the UK.
Providing a complete service from initial consultation through to design, installation, and long-term maintenance support, Hörmann provide an all-encompassing support package which is second to none.
Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK, speaks to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
Hörmann UK supply a comprehensive range of quality products for the warehouse and logistics market. We specialise in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of loading bay systems, level access doors, high speed doors, fire sliding doors and steel door sets.
With a large team of experienced professionals, our aim is to offer the very highest levels of service from initial discussions right through to the handover of a completed project – the Hörmann Difference. Which industry sectors are your customers in, and which ones are growing fastest?
Most of the work we undertake is for major site developers such as GLP, Prologis, St. Modwen and Panattoni, whose end users operate in the logistics and distribution sector.
The unprecedented growth in e-commence seen during the pandemic has seen a surge in demand for warehousing and distribution facilities, a trend which we are seeing reflected in our order book for this year and beyond.
What are you most recent product innovations?
The Hörmann group traditionally use the bi-annual BAU exhibition as a launch pad for new products. Even though BAU was cancelled in 2021 a full range of new products were introduced for the industrial market, including our high-speed Series 60 sectional door.
When fitted with our new WA500 FU operator, the new Series 60 door can achieve an impressive opening speed of 1 M/s. This makes it the fastest industrial sectional door on the market offering the benefits of lower ventilation heat loss, together with speeding up and streamlining internal processes.
This year will see new products for the perimeter protection side of the business, in particular a new entry level automated barrier system which will be ideal for warehouse and logistics operations.
What are the major trends and developments affecting your category and your customers, and how are you responding?
Without doubt the unprecedented expansion in online shopping and home delivery will become the new normal. This will continue to feed the demand for more distribution units together with an increased requirement for last-mile facilities.
Being part of a large, multi-national group Hörmann UK are in an ideal position to be able to keep pace and respond to market demands. Our strong and successful long-term relationships with all the major developers and contractors within the market have enabled us to work with them to develop plans and procedures to ensure the continuity of supply of both product and support. With the whole market experiencing lengthening lead times, our industrial projects team have used their considerable expertise and knowledge of the market to forward plan and help pre-empt some of the issues being experienced.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contracts?
We have recently completed a project with Panattoni on the development of Crewe 305 which will provide 305,000 sq. ft of logistics space.
Twenty-seven loading bays consisting of Hörmann SPU F42 sectional doors with HTL-2 dock levellers have been installed together with twenty-three ‘single bay’ and 4 DSS-G ‘double/euro bay’ dock shelters. These provide protection from the elements for both operatives and goods, helping to reduce heat loss during loading and unloading operations.
Other elements of the loading system include reinforced dock bumpers, traffic lights and dock lights which all provide the highest standards in safety and operational efficiency.
Fourteen D65 steel fire exit door sets, installed through the facility, completes the impressive range of products supplied.
How does business so far in 2022 compare with previous years? What’s your strategy for succeeding in the current climate?
2021 saw our order book for industrial doors and loading systems at their highest levels ever, and I am pleased to say that 2022 is continuing in a similar manner. As mentioned before to succeed in this fast-paced, expanding market we can call on all of the resources and knowledge of a global organisation.
Our objective moving forward is simple; continue to supply the best products in the marketplace, provide secure and stable supply, and offer our customers an experienced partner who is able to work closely with them to provide innovative solutions and a level of service that exceeds expectations.
What is the latest news from your company?
December ’21 saw Hörmann announce the acquisition of the South Lincolnshire based Fen-Bay Group, in a move which strengthens our position in the market.
Fen-Bay Services is a market leading service company, which when combined with Hormann UK’s existing service provision gives us a combined service workforce of nearly 100 engineers with true national coverage.
The acquisition also includes TransDek who became part of the Fen-Bay Group in 2020. Based in Doncaster TransDek are a specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of modular loading bays and lifting systems.
Can you tell us about any areas where you’re currently making technical advances?
As a family business, we take social responsibility very seriously and have a clear focus on sustainability and the environment and how it affects all aspects of our daily lives. Our UK headquarters in Coalville is powered via solar panels and simple things like supplying electric and hybrid company vehicles all go towards doing our bit for future generations.
As a Group, 100% of our electricity is generated from renewable sources and we offset over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 by promoting wind energy and reforestation projects in co-operation with Climate Partner. All our products are produced with confirmation of sustainability through our Environmental Product Declaration.
Are you investing in staff training and skills development?
As we offer such a diverse range of products staff training is an on-going priority. The launch of our Training Academy in 2019 not only provides us with an ideal facility to train our engineers but also our trade partners and subcontractors.
2021 also saw us introduce an apprenticeship scheme in collaboration with our local college. Developed to train and educate the next generation of industrial service engineers, the scheme has been developed to provide a structured training and work programme, providing the opportunity to be involved in the service and repair of the most advance doors and loading technology throughout the industrial market.
Are you taking part in any major trade shows? Can you tell us what you’ll be exhibiting there?
The next trade show we will be attending will be BAU 2023, which will be held in Munich during early January. This is a major event for the Hörmann Group, and it is where we launch new innovations and showcase our considerable product range.
At the moment we haven’t been made aware of what will be on display, but rest assured our industrial range will be well represented and worth a visit.
Hörmann UK
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