Hörmann manufactures the widest range of loading bay equipment in Europe and provide a service from initial consultation through to planning, design, installation and ongoing after sales service support.
From a single door to complex integrated loading solutions Hörmann has the ability to be a true one-stop-shop. Product development is focused on continual improvement of both existing equipment and new ideas, all based around the real world needs of customers and potential clients.
Tom Langley, Projects Director for Hörmann (UK) Ltd spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
WLN – First of all, what does your role involve day to day? Has it changed since last year?
My role as projects director has not changed in the last 12 months. On a day to day basis I am working with blue chip clients on major projects, from initial discussions to tendering followed by project managing through the design and manufacture process and then overseeing the installation. Managing the projects office is a significant part of my role, however, we all work on individual projects as a single point of contact, which is a real benefit to our clients. I tend to handle the bigger projects specialising in loading bays. This means I spend a lot of time on site, in design meetings etc. to ensure all of the design team know what they are getting from us and that our site requirements are met for smooth efficient installation. By being available onsite we add real value to projects and are able to react to site specific needs improving efficiency. Not only do we work on a project from conception through to design and installation but also follow this through with performance checks for 12 months following completion.
WLN – 2013 – How was it for you?
The momentum from 2012, when we saw a record-breaking turnover, carried on early into 2013, which has proved to be an extremely busy year. As expected, there was a slight lull in the summer months but we are ending the year as busy as ever. There are also a number of exciting large projects on the horizon for 2014 which should help us to continue to grow our business.
WLN – How has the Loading Bay category been performing this year? What do you see as the most significant recent developments?
Its been a really good year for loading bay projects, following on from the success of 2012, we have completed numerous large distribution centers in the chilled and ambient sectors.
Major retailers have continued to lead the way in developments which have reinforced the need to produce sustainable designs. This has led to a demand for increased flexibility in the loading bay designs to extend the operational lifespan of a building. Developers are also keen to ensure that developments can appeal to current and future tenants and with some now considering “spec builds,” flexibility and adaptability are highly important design considerations
WLN – Have you moved into any new business areas in the last 12 months?
Not specifically new areas, however, there is a constant evolution of loading bays in the distribution sector. Nearly all new builds have been built for specific tenants and they therefore, have a greater input into the design and specification, making each project much more bespoke. New vehicle configurations are also a contributing factor as upgrades and improvements that make vehicles more efficient, such as aerodynamic bodies, have a significant impact on the loading bay design.
WLN – What was your biggest investment to improve your business this year? What else have you done?
The service we provide has always been a key element in our success. We have invested in our after sales service to include repair and maintenance of all makes of loading bay equipment. As with new product development, listening to our customers has led to this new process. Part of the investment has been the introduction of a live reporting system that also records all actions and recommendations in one place. This creates a simplified audit trail and ensures the correct data is always on hand for insurance and risk assessment purposes.
WLN – How are your existing products and services doing? Have you developed or upgraded your existing products and services recently?
Adding service support for all makes of loading bay equipment is an obvious addition to our services along with offering 24/7 service support. What is less obvious is our continual improvement of products, which is why we consider it essential that we work on site. This way we see first-hand how improvements can be made to suit specific operations. This also leads to new product development.
A simple example of this is the driver’s button control system we developed for Asda. Originally this was supplied using standard controls modified on-site, but is now a fully, factory manufactured, CE marked, control panel suitable for all loading bays. A modular plug in extension panel can be supplied to operate a vehicle restraint system which is fully interlocked in order to ensure that the safe operating sequence is followed.
WLN – Have you launched any new products or services, and how are they performing?
Our product range has simply increased as we continue to provide a one-stop-shop for all loading bay requirements. Recent additions include an LED light guide for reversing trucks, an integral fork lift barrier on dock levellers, and active dock sensors. All these devices can be used independently, however they have been developed to integrate seamlessly into the Hörmann dock control system.
WLN – What’s been your company’s single biggest achievement in business this year?
On the loading bay side of our business we set ourselves the tough target of matching 2012’s record breaking results. We carried forward some nice projects from 2012 into 2013, one being an 86 bay project in Avonmouth worth £1.8M, and are certainly going to have our second best annual turnover on record even if we don’t finally scrape over the line and improve on 2012.
WLN – What was your favourite business moment in 2013?
The loading bay market is very competitive and we rely on repeat business and high volumes so competition is always strong. I enjoy the battle to gain new business from our closest rivals while protecting and developing the business we have with existing clients. 2013 has been a good year in both respects.
WLN – Do you operate in any other countries besides the UK? How are you getting on there? Have you gone into any new territories recently?
Hörmann is a global company and recent expansion in the Middle East has added to the company’s sales growth. There are now more than 6,000 employees in 26 specialised factories in Europe, North America and Asia that develop and produce high-quality doors, hinged doors, frames and operators for use in private and commercial properties. The headquarters of the Hörmann Group is located in the small town of Steinhagen, Germany. The family-run company has over 80 individual sales locations in more than 30 countries as well as hundreds of authorised dealers in about 35 additional countries.
WLN – Have you won any awards recently, or been accredited to any new standards?
Hörmann won the TCS&D Health & Safety Award through a number of safety initiatives that have been implemented for customers as part of our policy of continual development. This award essentially recognised the planning and forward thinking that we put in to loading bay developments to ensure that safety is never compromised.
WLN – Can you tell us about your major projects this year, and what they involved?
We have completed a significant number of loading bay projects this year for a whole host of businesses. These include M&S, Waitrose, The Co-operative Group, Asda, AG Barr, Lidl, IKEA, Sainsbury’s and the John Lewis Partnership. We have also enjoyed some great projects working with distribution developers Prologis, Gazeley, Goodman, Bericote, First Industrial, IM Properties and Knight Webb to name just a few.
Many of these developments have demanded greater flexibility in the loading bay design. This is so that changing operational needs, such as new vehicle configurations, ie. double deckers; new product lines, and new suppliers’ vehicles can be accommodated without the need for costly refurbishment work. For developers, this flexibility means that a building can be an attractive proposition to a number of potential tenants. This now means that the ability to readily adapt loading bays in a cost effective manner is part of our original design consideration.
WLN – Can you tell us about your plans for 2014? Where do you see your business going?
Hopefully more of the same, improving and developing our products and designs to meet the needs of our customers. Ensuring that we continue to deliver safer, more efficient loading bays that add to operational efficiency.
We see that the trend for more integrated solutions and greater flexibility will continue. In turn this will lead to further demand for manufacturer backed service support, a demand that has been given fresh impetus by the introduction of CE marking regulations.
WLN – Are you looking at taking on more staff or expanding your premises next year?
Our exciting plan for next year is to progress with 3D CAD drawings in Revit for BIM format contracts (Building Information Modelling Software). This combines 3D design components with product data. We have the software and hardware in place, and are currently ensuring all our staff are fully trained to maximise the benefits of this system.
WLN – What other headline news from Hörmann can our readers look forward to reading about in Warehouse & Logistics News next year?
As well as completing a number of notable projects, we will be looking to further promote our 24-7 after sales service support, along with product improvements to offer enhanced design with greater environmental friendliness.
Phone: 01530 516888
Email: info@hormann.co.uk
Web: www.hormann.co.uk
Youtube: Hörmann UK
LinkedIn: Hörmann (UK) Ltd
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