Day: 8 September 2020

Rite-Hite, the loading bay safety business, has signalled a major investment in its European operations by commencing manufacture of its Global Wheel-Lok system in Germany to provide customers outside of the US with just-in-time delivery of a range of solutions to support the warehousing, logistics and distribution industries.

The manufacturing facility in Volkmarsen, in the centre of Germany, has been upgraded with the latest equipment including robotic welding systems to dramatically accelerate the rate of production to satisfy a growing European and international demand. The technology is supported by a lean manufacturing process to provide optimum efficiency and productivity, minimising the use of energy while reducing waste.

Thorsten Mauritz, the Marketing Manager for Rite-Hite in Europe, says that when it comes to Loading Bay safety, Rite-Hite can rightfully claim to be an expert: “Our Global Wheel-Lok system is part of a range of solutions designed and proven to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings and environmental control within a logistics environment. By further investing in our global manufacturing capabilities, we are making a clear signal of our ongoing commitment to our European customers, and the opportunity to further raise awareness not only of the Global Wheel-Lok but also our total industrial safety portfolio.”

The Global Wheel-Lok is designed to secure any type of trailer to the loading bay, preventing well-known incidents such as vehicle creep (‘dock walk’), and accidents caused by a vehicle leaving its bay too early. Mauritz says that traditional wheel chocks are unreliable, especially in poor weather conditions: “They are also not strong enough to prevent a vehicle from pulling away unexpectedly and require someone to put them in place,” he explains.

“With Rite-Hite’s system, the driver simply reverses their vehicle to the Bay where wheel guides ensure accurate positioning onto the Global Wheel-Lok. As the tyre crosses the locking arm, the barrier rises and, using the energy of the trailer, follows the tyre until the trailer stops against the dock bumpers. The tyre is then locked in place, and a simple ‘green/red’ lighting system indicates to the driver – and the Loading Bay workers – that it is safe to continue.”

When loading/unloading is completed, the loading bay worker presses the ‘unlock’ button to release the locking teeth, and a green light is displayed to the driver. The locking arm follows the trailer tyre back to its original resting position, and the vehicle is safe to leave. Mauritz says that since Global Wheel-Lok is self-powered and has only four main components, the system is extremely reliable and easy to maintain: “It is also particularly robust, capable of resisting up to 14,500kg of pull out force. Perhaps not surprisingly it is recognised as Europe’s only restraint to exceed the requirement for an FEM Class 3 vehicle restraint on both empty and full trailers.”

Rite-Hite, the loading bay safety business, has signalled a major investment in its European operations by commencing manufacture of its Global Wheel-Lok system in Germany to provide customers outside of the US with just-in-time delivery of a range of solutions to support the warehousing, logistics and distribution industries.

The manufacturing facility in Volkmarsen, in the centre of Germany, has been upgraded with the latest equipment including robotic welding systems to dramatically accelerate the rate of production to satisfy a growing European and international demand. The technology is supported by a lean manufacturing process to provide optimum efficiency and productivity, minimising the use of energy while reducing waste.

Thorsten Mauritz, the Marketing Manager for Rite-Hite in Europe, says that when it comes to Loading Bay safety, Rite-Hite can rightfully claim to be an expert: “Our Global Wheel-Lok system is part of a range of solutions designed and proven to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings and environmental control within a logistics environment. By further investing in our global manufacturing capabilities, we are making a clear signal of our ongoing commitment to our European customers, and the opportunity to further raise awareness not only of the Global Wheel-Lok but also our total industrial safety portfolio.”

The Global Wheel-Lok is designed to secure any type of trailer to the loading bay, preventing well-known incidents such as vehicle creep (‘dock walk’), and accidents caused by a vehicle leaving its bay too early. Mauritz says that traditional wheel chocks are unreliable, especially in poor weather conditions: “They are also not strong enough to prevent a vehicle from pulling away unexpectedly and require someone to put them in place,” he explains.

“With Rite-Hite’s system, the driver simply reverses their vehicle to the Bay where wheel guides ensure accurate positioning onto the Global Wheel-Lok. As the tyre crosses the locking arm, the barrier rises and, using the energy of the trailer, follows the tyre until the trailer stops against the dock bumpers. The tyre is then locked in place, and a simple ‘green/red’ lighting system indicates to the driver – and the Loading Bay workers – that it is safe to continue.”

When loading/unloading is completed, the loading bay worker presses the ‘unlock’ button to release the locking teeth, and a green light is displayed to the driver. The locking arm follows the trailer tyre back to its original resting position, and the vehicle is safe to leave. Mauritz says that since Global Wheel-Lok is self-powered and has only four main components, the system is extremely reliable and easy to maintain: “It is also particularly robust, capable of resisting up to 14,500kg of pull out force. Perhaps not surprisingly it is recognised as Europe’s only restraint to exceed the requirement for an FEM Class 3 vehicle restraint on both empty and full trailers.”

Ambitious supply chain specialists Aztek Logistics has received the keys to its fifth warehouse, in Letchworth Garden City, UK to accommodate a period of extended growth and help investment in the future. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought on many challenges, the Hertfordshire-based experts in distribution and warehousing has continued to thrive throughout 2020 with the new warehouse enabling the business to accommodate its growing demand.

During the past three months alone, Aztek, a member of the award-winning Pallet-Track network, has seen a double-digit increase in service enquiries. Now with more than 140,000 sq ft of reliable warehouse space, the extra facility allows for greater capacity as Aztek begins preparation for peak season, its busiest period of the year.

Stuart Charter, founder and managing director or Aztek Logistics, said: “Acquiring the additional warehouse space is just the beginning of the next phase of growth for us here at Aztek. With the business growing more and more each year, we have big plans to reconfigure our current site to optimise space and enable a greater offering to our new and existing customers. While COVID-19 has taken up a lot of head and heart space, we also have to continue thinking about the repercussions of a no-deal Brexit and the likelihood that we will receive even greater demand for our services.

“It’s been a very busy period with an even busier future ahead and I’m so proud of the team and how we have all come together during this challenging time. The whole company has stepped up and I’m proud we have been able to offer free warehouse space for the NHS’s vital PPE, as well as deliver specialist flooring to Nightingale hospitals across the UK. With everything changing so quickly, I’m excited about the future and confident that Aztek Logistics will continue its upward trajectory beyond 2020.”