With over 80 years’ experience in the manufacture of industrial doors and loading technology, Hörmann is a key partner and supplier to all the major developers across the UK including Prologis, Panattoni, GLP and St. Modwen.
Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK
Being able to call upon the experience and resources of an international organisation, Hörmann UK are ideally placed to respond to a continuously expanding warehouse and logistics market. They provide a complete service from initial consultation through to design, installation, and long-term maintenance and service support – an all-encompassing support package which is second to none. Hörmann UK is also the market leader in the supply of domestic garage doors, together with entrance and internal doors. Working closely with homeowners, architects, specifiers and housebuilders, Hörmann UK is committed to providing the highest standards in quality and performance.
Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What products or services does your company offer?
Hörmann supply an extensive range of quality products for the warehouse and logistics market including loading bay systems, level access doors, high speed doors, fire sliding doors and steel door sets, all backed by a comprehensive maintenance and service capability.
Which industries do your customers operate in and which sectors ones are growing fastest?
Most of the work we undertake is for major site developers such as GLP, Prologis, St. Modwen and Panatonni, whose end users operate in the logistics and distribution sector. 2021 and 2022 has seen an unprecedented expansion in the big-shed and warehousing sectors, growth that we expect to continue well into 2023 and beyond.
Do you have any examples of a project you have recently completed?
We have recently worked with Panattoni on the second stage of their site at Borehamwood. The unit, which consisted of 159,000 sq ft warehouse and office space was fitted with a total of twenty loading bays and six level access bays. The loading bays comprised of Hörmann SPU F42 sectional doors with HTL-2 dock levellers, featuring a one metre telescopic lip which provides an optimal range loading platform. 18 ‘single bay’ and 2 DSS-G ‘double/euro bay’ dock shelters were also installed to provide protection from the elements for both operatives and goods, helping to reduce heat loss during loading and unloading operations.
Other elements of the Hörmann UK loading system included reinforced Dock Bumpers, traffic lights and dock lights providing the highest standards in safety and operational efficiency during the docking and loading processes.
The provision of 11 STU steel fire exit door sets, installed through the warehouse and offices, completed an impressive range of products supplied by Hörmann UK, all chosen for their quality construction and the impressive service offered by the company.
What are your most recent product innovations?
Hörmann have recently introduced their new transparent, high speed spiral doors, the HS5040 TurboLux and TurboLux S. With a market leading opening speed of up to 4 M/s, the TurboLux range combines high speed operation with optimised transparency, strength, and durability, making the doors ideal for demanding applications where efficiency and visibility are key.
The TurboLux range offers a pleasingly symmetrical and compact design, with transparent door laths manufactured from a clear, high-grade polycarbonate which provides high impact and breakage resistance.
Providing 90% transparency, the door has been designed to maximise light and visibility, helping to reduce accidents, ensure smooth and efficient transport processes, and provide brighter working environments to improve operator conditions.
How were business levels in 2022 compared to previous years?
2022 saw record levels of demand for our industrial doors and loading bay technology, we are the busiest we have ever been. We have been fortunate to see consistent year-on-year growth and looking forward into 2023 this trend is set to continue.
In what areas are you making technological advances?
The Hormann group work continuously to be at the forefront of every market sector ensuring that our product offering is in line with end user requirements. For example, the launch of our Series 60 industrial sectional door which when fitted with our new WA500 FU operation can achieve an opening speed of 1 m/s which makes it the fastest sectional door on the market. In addition, we have also recently introduced the HS5040 TurboLux range of transparent, high speed spiral doors which can achieve a market leading opening speed of up to 4 M/s. Both doors offer the market high speed operation, maximum efficiency, and durability for demanding situations.
What training do you provide for your staff?
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.
The acquisition of the Fen-Bay Group in late 2021 has seen us train over 100 of their service engineers in just under 6 months, ensuring that they are fully conversant in the service and maintenance procedures for all Hörmann industrial doors and loading technologies.
What is the company’s commitment to social responsibility?
As a family business, Hörmann take our social responsibility very seriously and it affects all aspects of our daily working lives. 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.
Our UK headquarters in Coalville is powered via solar panels and all our products are produced with confirmation of sustainability through our Environmental Product Declaration.
Do you help customers maximise the use of their existing warehouse space?
Our new range of loading houses are now fully CE marked to EN1090. They are fitted externally, which saves utilising valuable internal warehouse space for the dock levellers and are suitable for new build or retrofit projects.
What industries do you believe offer your business the most potential over the next year?
The continued expansion of the logistics market and demand for both new build and refurbished distribution centres will ensure that we continue to be remarkably busy during 2023 and beyond.
What improvements have you made to your customer service recently?
The acquisition of the Fen-Bay Group in December 2021 has allowed Hörmann UK to further strengthen its’ position as the market leader in the supply and servicing of loading bay equipment, industrial doors, and perimeter systems.
With both companies recognised for providing high quality service and maintenance support packages, the acquisition has created the largest and most experienced service team in the market. Since the beginning of the year the whole Fen-Bay team of over 100 service engineers have attended the Hörmann Academy and are all now fully trained on the complete range of Hörmann loading technology and our service procedures.
Hörmann UK are now able to provide a fully national call-out service which offers 24/7, 365 days a-year availability, together with an impressive 4-hour response time. Service and maintenance support is offered on a full range of products, including docks, doors, gates, barriers, and scissor lifts.
How future proof is your business?
We are extremely fortunate to be part of a large, family-owned international group so we are a sound and ethically run business. Being an OEM who manufacturers all the key components for our loading systems and doors places us in a strong position to meet market demand, together with the ability to adjust to an ever-changing marketplace.
Will you be exhibiting at any major trade shows over the next year?
The Hörmann Group will have a large presence at the BAU Exhibition, being held in Munich, April 2023. The Group use this exhibition as a showcase for its total product range and to launch new products into the market. The industrial side of the business will be well represented and it’s always an excellent show to visit.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Approachable, innovative and committed.
HÖRMANN UK
01530 513000
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