ALEM has participated in the latest meeting of the CEN Technical Committee responsible for the revision of the European standard for dock levellers. The meeting brought together industry experts and stakeholders from across Europe to review proposed updates to the standard and discuss key safety, operational and technical requirements affecting dock leveller design and use. As a representative of the loading bay equipment sector, ALEM continues to play an active role in ensuring that future standards support safe, practical and effective solutions for manufacturers, installers and end users alike.
This article was first published in the September 1st 2026 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
In the loading bay, the right equipment makes a measurable difference. Dock levellers, shelters, seals and loading bay systems must be robust enough for high-use environments while supporting the specific needs of cold storage facilities. They need to reduce temperature fluctuation, improve loading speed and create safer working conditions for teams operating under pressure, says BID Group Ltd.
Doncaster-based Hörmann Transdek has successfully supplied and installed a Vehicle-to-Ground (V2G) lift at Next’s South Elmsall distribution centre, near Wakefield. The lift supports a newly built warehouse extension designed to meet the retailer’s growing demand for online fulfilment. Designed for modern, agile logistics, the V2G lift provides level-access loading and unloading for a full range of vehicles, from small vans to single and double-deck trailers. Its modular, free-standing design makes it suitable for both internal and external use, and its surface-mounted construction eliminates the need for pits or major groundworks, significantly reducing installation time and cost.
As Wouter Satijn, Chief Revenue Officer, Joloda Hydraroll, explains, automation within unloading and loading processes can transform the use of existing space, improving productivity up to fourfold and delivering essential operational agility. Replacing manual processes and minimising the use of forklift trucks with automated loading technologies radically reduces the time taken to load and unload and, as a result, allows organisations to completely redesign processes with a focus on space efficiency. The rapid movement of goods significantly reduces the volume of storage space required on site, while the reduced reliance on forklifts frees up space previously used for forklift storage and charging.
Thorworld Industries and sales agent loading and unloading specialists DARMAX UK helped a specialist business in the mechanical and electrical industries streamline loading while adapting to the demands of a high-volume dispatch operation. The new system allows vans to reverse directly into the dock rather than being loaded outside in the yard whilst also enabling forklifts to enter the building safely. The ramps were set to the same height as the floor level inside the building allowing products to be transferred straight into the vans, improving safety and protecting customer products during loading.
As the loading bay becomes increasingly busy, all stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure the area is kept as safe as possible.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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