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Tag: Loading bay

Wheel Restraint System Firm’s New Hire

Posted on by David Priestman

GMR Safety, a global supplier of wheel restraint systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Benoit Dubeau as sales director.

In Dubeau’s new role, he will be responsible for achieving sales targets, developing and executing strategic sales plans, building and maintaining key client relationships, and driving sales growth.

Bringing decades of industry leadership experience in operations, sales, business development and strategic account management, Dubeau has held a variety of positions, including vice president of operations and sales, vice president of sales, sales director, key account director, and human resources director.

“From his knowledge of commercial strategy to his respected reputation within the field, Benoit will undoubtedly strengthen GMR’s future,” said Gaétan Jetté, founder and CEO of GMR Safety. “Dubeau brings decades of leadership experience across operations, sales and HR making him a strong asset to our team.”

Dubeau holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Quebec in Montreal.

Headquartered in Quebec, GMR Safety is a global designer and manufacturer of wheel-based vehicle restraint systems for all types of vehicles operating in logistics warehouses and loading areas. Since 1996, the company has been committed to the safety and success of its customers and partners by providing innovative, reliable and simple solutions with the same fundamental principle at heart: designed to last.

GMR Safety has grown to become one of the world’s top manufacturers of dock safety products, achieving a 25 percent annual growth rate in the last eight years by installing more than 35,000 systems in more than 30 countries worldwide.

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Vehicle Restraint System Launched for Accident Prevention

 

Sectional Door Technology at Logistics Hub

Posted on by David Priestman

As the logistics sector continues to evolve at pace, the demand for smarter, faster, and more sustainable infrastructure is growing. In response, Assa Abloy Entrance Systems has played a key role in the delivery of two state-of-the-art industrial units at Fradley Link, equipped with cutting-edge technology. Of particular note is the UK’s first major installation of the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door — a next-generation solution redefining performance standards in speed, efficiency, and sustainability.

Strategic Development in the UK’s Golden Triangle

Fradley Park, one of the UK’s most strategically located logistics hubs, continues to reinforce its position as a first-class destination for distribution and manufacturing. Located near Lichfield in Staffordshire, at the heart of the country’s Golden Triangle of logistics, this key site offers exceptional motorway connectivity and infrastructure—making it an ideal choice for major occupiers seeking sustainable and scalable warehousing solutions.

Evans Property Group has successfully completed development on the latest phase of the site, known as Fradley Link. The speculative scheme spans approximately 280,000 sq ft and includes two highly sustainable, flexible-use industrial units of 204,500 sq ft and 78,500 sq ft respectively. Both are being delivered to exacting standards, targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings, and are equipped with EV charging capabilities, solar-ready roofing systems, symphonic drainage, and secure cycle storage.

Loading Bay Solutions Designed to Enhance Speed

Supporting this high-specification development, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems was appointed to deliver a comprehensive entrance and loading bay solution in partnership with architect Kilmartin Plowman & Partners, main contractor GMI Construction Group, and developer Evans Property Group. The project represents a significant milestone for ASSA ABLOY in the UK, as it marks the first major installation of the recently launched Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door — an innovation designed to deliver a whole new level of speed, efficiency, safety, and security in modern industrial environments.

High-Spec Installations Across Two Warehouses

The larger of the two buildings, at 204,500 sq ft, has been fitted with a full suite of loading bay equipment to support streamlined operations. This includes 20 standard and tall loading bays, each equipped with swing lip dock levellers, OH1142P Dual Drive doors, and mechanical dock shelters designed to accommodate a range of vehicle sizes. Complementary accessories such as dock lights, traffic control systems, and wheel guides were also installed to ensure safety and efficiency across all docking operations.

In addition, four ASSA ABLOY OH1042P level access overhead sectional doors were supplied to align with the building’s architectural palette — finished externally in RAL 7016 and internally in RAL 9002. These doors not only match the visual identity of the site but also deliver excellent thermal performance, achieving an overall U-value of 1.3 W/m²K.

The second building, at 78,500 sq ft, has been completed to a similar specification, featuring ten loading bays supported by the same combination of dock levellers, OH1142P doors, and dock shelters. Four level access OH1042P doors were also integrated, mirroring the installation in the adjacent, larger unit.

First for the Dual Drive

A standout feature of the Fradley Link development is its status as the first major UK project to incorporate the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive sectional overhead door—ASSA ABLOY’s most advanced overhead door system to date. This next-generation solution has been designed from the ground up to meet the evolving needs of high-performance logistics environments, with a focus on energy efficiency, operational speed, and minimal maintenance.

The OH1142P Dual Drive represents a leap forward in entrance system technology. Its state-of-the-art design operates without traditional springs or cables, significantly reducing the number of moving parts and thereby cutting long-term maintenance requirements. The simplified, maintenance-friendly configuration also eliminates the need for structural preparation or additional reinforcements—saving time and space during installation and streamlining integration with modern warehouse architecture.

Engineered for speed and efficiency, the OH1142P opens and closes up to 30% faster than standard overhead doors, helping to reduce energy loss and improve internal climate control. This faster cycle time not only boosts operational productivity but also directly supports the sustainability goals of modern developments such as Fradley Link, where energy optimisation is a core performance metric.

Enhanced security is built in as standard, with automatic electric locking and remote monitoring capabilities via integrated smart technology. These features allow facilities teams to oversee and manage door operations more effectively, enhancing both safety and operational visibility across the site.

By requiring minimal structural prep and offering lower lifecycle costs through fewer components, the OH1142P Dual Drive supports a future-proof, cost-effective approach to industrial design. Its inclusion at Fradley Link signals a strong commitment to innovation from Evans Property Group and sets a new precedent for UK logistics developments.

Enhanced Safety and Sustainability at Every Bay

The dock shelters used across both units have been carefully selected to enhance energy efficiency and maintain optimal conditions during loading. Unlike sloped-roof designs that allow water run-off onto trailers, ASSA ABLOY’s flat-roof shelters incorporate integral rain channels that divert water away from the loading area—helping to protect goods and improve safety on site. The shelters accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes and maintain consistent performance in all weather conditions.

Each loading bay also features ASSA ABLOY’s high-spec rubber dock buffers with steel face and top plate, and all wheel guides were supplied with a yellow painted finish, ensuring enhanced visibility and long-term resistance to wear and weathering.

Delivering the Future of Industrial Infrastructure

This installation reflects not just a technical achievement, but a broader alignment with the values driving the future of logistics property development—efficiency, safety, sustainability, and future-readiness. Through collaboration with Evans Property Group and the wider project team, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems has helped deliver a logistics hub that sets new standards in operational performance and environmental responsibility.

Fradley Link is more than a new industrial scheme — it is a model for what the next generation of distribution infrastructure can and should be. With innovation like the Crawford OH1142P Dual Drive at its core, the site is now equipped to support occupiers with the performance, reliability, and resilience required in today’s fast-moving supply chain environment.

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ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems introduces a revolution in safe and secure truck docking

 

 

 

Vehicle Restraint System Launched for Accident Prevention

Posted on by David Priestman

GMR Safety, designer and manufacturer of wheel restraint systems for loading docks is introducing the newest evolution of its highly successful and patented Power Chock® product line with the addition of Power Chock Auto, an automatic version of the system.

The Power Chock Auto is equipped with high-quality optical sensors that can detect all types of vehicle wheels, including semi-trailers, straight trucks, and delivery vans, up to 21.5 feet from the loading dock wall. By simply pressing a control panel button inside the facility, an operator automatically positions the wheel chock in front of the vehicle’s wheel, requiring no driver intervention to set and secure the vehicle.

To ensure safety, the dock door or dock leveller can only be operated if the chock has been properly set in front of the wheel and the correct position of the chock is confirmed by a sensor. Visual indicators and audible alarms inform inside warehouse personnel and the driver outside about the position of the chock and the safe availability of the loading dock.

To provide full visibility and better control, the Power Chock Auto is equipped with a camera on the outside, facing the loading area, and a screen on the inside, next to the control panel. This visual communication system allows the operator to ensure that the loading area is devoid of any human presence prior to deployment of the wheel chock.

The mechanical movement system is not subject to any torsional forces as all the pressure from the truck is transferred on the Power Chock gripping to the ground plate. Using simple physics to restrain any type of vehicle, the Power Chock systems feature a patented combination of a 23-inch high-tensile steel wheel chock and a hot-dip galvanized restraining plate anchored to the ground. The system immobilizes the wheel, the sturdiest part of any vehicle.

“Accidents at loading docks pose a significant threat to warehouse operators and contribute to a substantial portion of workplace injuries,” said Gaétan Jay Jetté, founder and CEO of GMR Safety. “Automating our Power Chock system provides loading docks with additional safety measures to ensure safety at this vulnerable area in the logistics journey.”

The company’s innovative solution is a direct response to statistics that point to the prevalence of workplace accidents, with more than 10 percent of them rated as fatal. The fatal injury rate in the transportation and logistics industry segment is twice the all-industry rate, which no company should ever ignore.

Other key benefits to this life-saving system include universal compatibility with all vehicle types, including those with liftgates. It is also highly adaptable for seamless installation on any driveway approach and requires minimal maintenance. Loading dock accidents consist of various scenarios, including trailer creep (vehicle movement caused by forklifts entering and exiting the trailer), unexpected trailer departures — often leading to falls from the dock edge.

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Loading bay safety without high maintenance costs

 

 

New Automatic Wheel-blocking System

Posted on by David Priestman

Hörmann UK have introduced a new Automatic Wheel-blocking system (AWB) for the ultimate in loading bay safety. Designed to counter the risk of the premature departure of a vehicle and ‘vehicle creep’ during loading and unloading operations, Hormanns’ AWB detects a reversing vehicle and securely blocks the rear wheel preventing it from moving – helping to eliminate human error and keeping warehouse personnel and drivers safe.

One of the most versatile automated vehicle restraint systems available on the market, the Hörmann AWB is suitable for use with all types and models of vehicles, from small parcel vans to large articulated lorries. Built to withstand the rigorous conditions of busy loading bay operations, it is rugged in its construction, with all the hydraulic and electronic components being contained within a sturdy galvanised housing which provides protection against dirt and adverse weather.

The system provides a working range of 2825mm and a blocking height of 300mm removing any possible collision with mudguards and vehicle trims.To take account of any unevenness on site it is height adjustable by up to 50mm and is available in either left or right-handed versions. It is quick and easy to fit as it only requires a few anchor points.

Once a vehicle is safely positioned at the loading bay the integrated wheel guide can be activated inside the building at the touch of a button. The driver remains within the vehicle with a warning light/traffic light system on the loading bay to indicate when it is safe to move off. The easy-to-use Hörmann AWB controller can be used as a stand-alone solution or integrated into other Hörmann control systems. It can be simply updated and interrogated using mobile data.

Commenting on the new AWB, Phil Thorpe Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK said, “The new AWB from Hörmann is what the market would expect, a robust, well-engineered and practical solution to a problem often seen during loading operations. Suitable for all types of warehousing and logistics facilities we see this product playing a key role in improving workplace safety, reducing accidents, and keeping loading operatives safe in what can be a dangerous area. Our AWB system has been designed with ease of installation, operation, and maintenance in mind, all helping our customers to maximise their loading efficiency and ensure that any downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.”

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Loading Bay Double Vision

Posted on by David Priestman

With a double-deck un/loading solution set to revolutionise European transport loading bay operations in its portfolio, Transdek is on the march, as Peter MacLeod discovers.

Have you ever seen a double-deck HGV on the motorway and wondered how challenging it must be to load or unload it at a standard warehouse dock? Leon Butler, Managing Director of Hörmann Transdek UK Ltd – and a champion of industrial safety and loading bay efficiency throughout his career – certainly has, for he has grown his business on the back of it. The double-deck modular loading lift designed and pioneered by Transdek some 20 years ago, before its merger with German industrial doors expert Hörmann, has been the UK’s de facto solution for the difficult challenge of non-compatibility between the standard warehouse dock height and the two levels of the vehicle’s double deck.

Whilst a double-deck trailer chassis is more complicated, expensive and heavier than its fixed-deck counterpart, the fact that it offers up to 60% additional capacity – 53 Euro pallets versus 33 – is a compelling argument in its favour. No wonder its use is growing, especially given the drive to eliminate carbon from the supply chain. But this growth is slowed in mainland Europe because the challenge is approached differently on the continent, addressing the issue with a vehicle-mounted tail lift that in comparison to Transdek’s pod is a clumsy, inefficient, expensive – around 15 to 20 % of the trailer’s capital cost – and potentially less safe solution.

Transdek solves the challenge at the warehouse, with a module that fits in front of the warehouse door and rises or falls smoothly and safely, matching the height of the vehicle deck and thus allowing MHE unhindered access to the interior of the trailer. The continental solution, on the other hand, has to be deployed as the vehicle abuts the dock, and rises up or down in a similar way to a tail lift on a light van. The significant disadvantages are in the fact that the steel lift and its multiple hydraulics are transported by the vehicle, taking up valuable space and weight capacity. Furthermore, it takes considerably longer to un/load than the Transdek solution. If that’s not compelling enough, the practicalities of trying to load a trailer with the tail lift married to a conventional loading dock leveller presents many hazards, a practise not accepted in the UK.

When I ask Butler about Transdek’s plans to roll the solution out across mainland Europe, he says: “The product itself unlocks the use of the double-deck trailer to make it more attractive. The installation of it as a retrofit takes just two days on site, because we don’t need any civil works such as bunded pits, as you would do with a normal scissor lift. With prime development land becoming less available and encroaching on flood plains, any surface or flood water will simply flow under the structure and drain away, allowing operations to resume faster following adverse weather events.”

Furthermore, the double-deck lift can be financed via regular equipment leasing arrangements, and it can be easily either removed or relocated to another site or bay when necessary. Safety-wise, it features side barriers up to 2.2m in height. With only a single hydraulic cylinder (versus the vehicle-mounted alternative’s four, eight or 16) lifting up to 20 tonnes, the Transdek pod only requires servicing every 12 months. “We can make the loading platform much more robust than a tail lift, because a tail lift has to be as light as possible to be put on the back of a trailer. With a fixed asset bolted onto a building, you can make it as robust as you want, because you’re not paying for fuel to take it up and down the roads.”

Buoyant Year

Looking at the bigger picture, Transdek enjoyed a strong 2024 within the UK market, with new customer engagement increased by 20% across all the company’s product portfolio, whilst maintaining strong relationships with existing clients. It anticipates the market for double-deck trailers to rise in the coming year due to a number of factors, principal among them being the labour shortage, with the EU, Norway and the UK together missing over 233,000 commercial drivers.

Butler says Transdek has long-standing relationships with retailers in the UK such as Boots, Superdrug, BM Home Bargains, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Iceland. With such a to-die-for customer list, expansion into new markets should accelerate once European retailers understand the benefits. With a focus on the Benelux region and Central Europe, Transdek will be displaying its demo unit at the BAU and the transport and logistic 2025 exhibitions, both in Munich.

It seems only a matter of time before the scales fall from the eyes of European operators and vehicle-mounted unloading systems and all their inherent disadvantages become a thing of the past.

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Bespoke Loading Platform

Posted on by David Priestman

Doncaster based Hörmann Transdek have recently completed the installation of a bespoke loading platform for leading drinks distributor HillsProspect LWC. Having been initially contacted regarding one of their standard loading bay products, Hörmann Transdek worked with the company to design and develop a unique solution to their very specific loading requirements.

HillsProspect LWC operate a fleet of forty vehicles from their Romford distribution facility, ranging from 7.5 to 18 tonne in size, which in the main are loaded using a number of standard dock levellers. Alongside these were two level access bays which were proving not to be as efficient and were causing concerns about operator safety. After initial consultations and design proposals, Hörmann Transdek worked closely with HillsProspect LWC to provide a tailored solution to speed loading operations and improve operator safety.

The resulting loading facility features a raised 56m2 platform which has been constructed within the warehouse, it incorporates anti-slip flooring, safety barriers, steps, and a perimeter handrail to ensure operator safety. Two Hörmann mini docks have also been fitted with a simple, manually operated lip to bridge the gap between the loading platform and the vehicle. Delivered, constructed and ready for use within four days, the loading platform provides a simple, but effective solution for loading and unloading vehicles.

Commenting on the installation, Nigel Metcalf Depot Manager at HillsProspect LWC, “From initial contact with Hörmann Transdek right through to the completion of the project, they have been quick to respond and excellent to work with.”

Loading Platform

The loading platform was installed in a matter of days and had an immediate effect on our loading/unloading capabilities, saving us both time and money. It has taken us from 4 fully operational bays up to 6, enabling us to speed up our operation and helped ensure that we got through the busy Christmas and New Year period without a hitch”.

Founded in 1997, Yorkshire based Hörmann Transdek are experts in the manufacture of specialist loading bay equipment. Dedicated to providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to the logistics and retail sectors, Transdek offer a range of products that provide reduced installation times and help speed loading/unloading operations. Products include surface-mounted, rapid-install double deck lifts designed to load high-capacity double deck trailers, V2G (vehicle to ground) lifts for loading vehicles on level-access sites, dock levellers, scissor lifts and mezzanine goods lifts.

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New Website for Trailer and Loading Bay Expert

 

Ramps Take on a Heavy Load For Witron

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics specialist Witron has benefited from the strength and versatility of bespoke loading ramps from Thorworld during its construction of a new distribution centre for a retail customer. The largest of the four ramps delivered to the Northwest site had to withstand the weight of a 48-tonne crane.

Thorworld’s involvement came after Witron was let down by its existing ramp supplier. Given the complexity of the distribution centre’s build, and with the clock ticking, Witron needed a reliable alternative, quickly.

“Thorworld stood out as a credible solution provider, they have an excellent reputation in the market and could manufacture ramps to the exact size and weight parameters we required,” commented Duncan Pointon, Business Development Manager UK at Witron.

“Plus, their knowledge was second to none when it came down to our application, giving valuable input as the ramps needed to be moved in and out of pits.”

The four ramps were built and delivered in a phased operation, to suit Witron’s own construction schedule. The first three ramps are being used by Witron to help move plant in and out of the dispatch buffer pits where they assemble automated racking. Thorworld installed the first ramp to demonstrate best practice, while the next two were installed by Witron.

Thorworld returned to install the last – and most complex – of the four ramps. “This was in the CPS pit, which forms part of the 35m High Bay Warehouse. We erect racking at ground level, in strategically located pits. The racking must be installed by crane, therefore we needed a ramp specifically built to allow the crane easy access in and out of the pit,” explained Duncan Pointon.

Ian Langan, Technical and Engineering Director at Thorworld, particularly enjoyed the challenge of designing a ramp capable of withstanding the weight of the crane. “Normally our mobile ramps have a usable width of 2250mm and up to 15,000kg capacity. The crane weighed 48,000KG and required a usable width of 3.5m and a ramp length of 8m,” he said.

“We had to undertake design calculations and finite element analysis (FEA), to ensure the capacities and axle loads could be adequately supported. And then manufacture all four ramps from scratch within a very short timescale!”

Unusually for Thorworld, the four ramps are only needed during the fit-out of the distribution centre and will not be in regular use. Nonetheless, Witron has recognised their long-term value. “All of our DCs are built to a similar specification, so we’ll definitely need the Thorworld ramps again! Until then, we’ll keep them in storage, ready for the next site build,” concluded Duncan Pointon

Completion of Warehouse Phase 1

Posted on by David Priestman

St. Modwen Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics developers and managers, has successfully completed Phase 1 of the development at St. Modwen Park Derby. The 67-acre industrial and logistics park, which is the largest brownfield regeneration site in Derby, was developed in partnership with Derby City Council and Network Rail. It occupies a prime position, strategically located off the A52 providing direct access to Derby City Centre and just five miles to Junction 25 of the M1.

Rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’, Phase 1 of the project sees the completion of four sustainable, high-quality warehouses, with Phase 2 of development on the site already underway, providing a further c.350,000 sq.ft of high-quality logistics and warehouse space.

As a preferred St. Modwen Logistics supplier, Hörmann UK worked closely with main contractor Winvic to supply full loading bay solutions together with safety and operational equipment including dock buffers, dock lights and traffic lights, plus sectional level access doors and fire exit doorsets.

Across the four buildings that make up the first phase of the site a total of 27 loading bays have been installed. Twenty-three standard height loading bays have been fitted with HLS-2 swing lip dock levellers, with four Eurodock bays being fitted with an HTL-2 dock leveller which features a 1 metre telescopic lip. This provides an optimal range loading platform enabling the precise bridging of a variety of vehicle types and a guarantee of fast, efficient, and most importantly safe loading and unloading. In addition, 23 ‘single bay’ and 4 DSS-G ‘double/euro bay’ scissor arm dock shelters have been installed to provide protection from the elements for both operatives and goods, helping to reduce heat loss during loading and unloading operations.

With the St. Modwen Logistics site achieving an impressive EPC ‘A’ rating, each loading and level access bay is fitted with a robust Hörmann SPU F42 sectional door. The doors feature double glazed vision panels and provide excellent thermal insulation with an impressive overall U-value of between 1.1 and 1.3 Wm2.K. Stucco textured profiles deliver a durable and resilient finish to withstand the external elements, while rubber draught seals to the edges of the leveller’s help minimise heat loss during loading and unloading operations.

Other elements of the Hörmann loading systems include reinforced dock buffers which are constructed from recycled tyre rubber with 15mm thick steel faceplates. The buffers are designed to minimise any potential damage to the bay in the event of a vehicle making direct contact with the building. Traffic lights and LED dock lights complete the loading bays offering the highest standards in safety and operational efficiency during the docking and loading processes.

A total of 23 Hörmann STU steel fire escape doorsets have also been installed throughout the 4 units, completing an impressive range of products supplied, all chosen for their quality construction and the impressive service offered by the company.

Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK, comments “St. Modwen Park Derby is a landmark logistics development for Derby and Hörmann are proud to be working with St. Modwen Logistics and Winvic on the completion of the site. Our loading solutions have been designed to deliver unbeatable levels of safety and functionality, together with excellent thermal properties. At Hörmann we are committed to providing St. Modwen and their clients with first-class solutions and service to help streamline business needs and processes.”

Safety First for Staff Welfare and Competitive Differentiation

Posted on by David Priestman

Companies are increasingly committed to safety first and their duty of care to all employees, especially in potentially dangerous and stressful environments such as loading and unloading areas. Yet, with endemic staff shortages and the demand for faster and higher velocity fulfilment increasing, there is a very real risk that safety pledges will be compromised in the drive for operational efficiency. While regulators are continually pushing to improve working practices, for example by imposing limits on the weight lifted by individuals, how much longer can companies afford to rely on manual processes for unloading and loading? From fast-moving forklift trucks to the high working temperature within trailers and the constant noise of moving goods, these jobs are both physically and mentally challenging.

With changing employee expectations also contributing to the lack of available staff for tough, manual jobs, companies need to recognise that committing to a safety-first culture is no longer about complying with global regulations. It is about creating a working environment that effectively safeguards staff’s physical and mental well-being, as Wouter Satijn (pictured), Sales Director, Joloda Hydraroll, explains.

Safety Compromised

Businesses globally are more committed to employee safety today than ever before. Yet staff still experience both physical and mental risks every day. The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a 28% increase in worker injuries year on year and a steep rise in ill health compared to pre-pandemic levels. What’s more, stress, depression, and anxiety now account for 51% of work-related ill health cases.

In a world where recruiting and retaining employees remains extremely difficult, companies recognise the need to create a working environment that meets fast-increasing employee expectations. However, it remains extremely difficult to balance escalating operational demands with safeguarding staff. This is especially true in highly manual environments such as loading and unloading bays. These areas are hard places to work. In hot weather, temperatures can become intolerable, while trailers used for the cold chain are sub-zero. Add in the noise of forklifts moving goods on and off pallets, and the pressure on space, and it is little wonder that companies can struggle to recruit and retain employees in this area.

Not only is this an unpleasant job, but it can also be fraught with danger. The risks associated with forklift trucks operating alongside individuals walking and physically loading and unloading items are well established. Between 2017 and 2022, 34% of deaths were classified as struck by moving vehicle. The economic cost of workplace injuries is also very significant: in the UK alone, the total cost of workplace self-reported injuries and ill health in 2019/20 was £18.8 billion.

Staff Pressures

The safety risks do not only deter potential employees; they are also exacerbated by recruitment pressures and escalating demand. Tired, stressed, and overworked staff are inevitably more at risk of both physical injury and mental burnout. While industries globally are experiencing difficulties recruiting staff, the issue is now urgent within logistics, with the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) campaigning for logistics and warehousing to be considered part of the Shortage Occupation List. A drop in staff numbers combined with the uplift in demand for warehousing and logistics facilities is creating an unsustainable situation that risks compromising employee well-being and, as a result, operational performance.

With the high levels of demand and pressure on warehouse and production space, many companies couldn’t add more staff even if they were available. The introduction of automation, especially in busy loading and unloading areas, is now vital if businesses are to create a safer working environment and one that allows people to have the most fulfilling jobs.

Automated loading systems remove the need for forklift trucks, immediately reducing the risk to employees. Instead of taking 45 minutes of highly physical activity to unload, the automated approach takes less than three minutes. Additional automation, such as connecting automated loading and unloading systems with conveyors or Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVS), further reduces the need for manual intervention.

Automation to Safeguard Well-Being

By using automation to remove hazardous, unpopular tasks, companies can improve the workforce experience, enhance safety, and reduce the deadline pressures that can affect mental well-being. Indeed, while the physical risks associated with manual unloading and loading are clear, companies must also consider the knock-on effect of manual process failures on other departments.

For example, goods that arrive damaged at the production line can lead to both delays and internal conflict, especially within industries such as automotive that depend upon incredibly specific and sophisticated just-in-time processes. Automating manual processes and integrating activities such as loading and unloading into the rest of the business provides complete, end-to-end visibility. It allows employees to identify and address problems, minimising the stress associated with a lack of control that can contribute to ill health.

An automated unloading and loading process makes the whole operation safer and more reliable. Goods move quickly through the loading docks, with no need for forklift trucks. Processes are more efficient, ensuring deadlines are hit and reducing pressure on staff. Space can be better optimised throughout the facility and the noise associated with manual processes is eradicated, creating a far calmer, low stress environment. Furthermore, with the entire process requiring far fewer people, scarce resources can be relocated to other, more interesting jobs, improving well-being and, as a result, improving retention.

Companies globally are facing up to a new employee reality. People are scarce and labour is hard to find, so why expect individuals to undertake hard, dangerous yet boring manual tasks that can be more efficiently completed by automation? Employees have more choice and higher expectations. Few want to work in a hot, dark, noisy loading area, lifting heavy loads repeatedly or handling dangerous items.

Reliance on manual processes in this part of the supply chain is surely becoming harder to justify for any company truly committed to safety and its duty of care to employees. Automation is the foundation for a better way of treating employees, and a chance to highlight a commitment to their physical and mental well-being.

New Generation of Dock Levellers Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, one of the leading manufacturers of loading bay and health and safety equipment, has launched RiteLoad, its new generation of hydraulic dock levellers featuring new advanced controls, improved design and reinforced construction for enhanced safety.

The durability and stability of the new RiteLoad dock leveller series – achieved through improved telescopic lip guidance and optimised plateau construction – is such that Rite-Hite provides a full 10-year warranty on the steelwork and construction in comparison to the customary five-year warranty across the industry.

The RiteLoad series comprises a number of different models and is available in nominal lengths from 2,000-4,500mm with nominal widths of 2,000-2,250mm, and heights from 600-900mm. Depending on the application, models for load capacities of 60kN and 100kN can be selected. In addition to the classic safety features, such as anti-slip tear plate and yellow/black warning stripes, the dock leveller has an automatic floating position and automatic return function, as well as an electro-hydraulic emergency stop in case of pressure loss in the lifting cylinders and a restart interlock after power failure.

“When developing the new RiteLoad dock levellers, our goal was to deliver unrivalled durability and the highest quality product with fast availability, and we are delighted with the result!” says Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager for Europe at Rite-Hite.

A variety of different controls are available for the new dock levellers – from the simple bridge control to the advanced combi-box, which allows several products at the loading point to be operated centrally via one control, such as the sectional door and vehicle restraint system.

Formwork frames as well as curb angle frames for pre-casted pit frames and special frames for loading houses are available. In addition to the standard colour option of RAL 7016 (grey), many other RAL colours are also available as well as a fully galvanised version (including the frames).

Further dock leveller models based on this platform are planned for future release, including a hinge lip version.

Rite-Hite is a pioneer and specialist in high-performance loading dock technology, industrial door solutions and innovative products for improving work safety. For more than 30 years, we have been committed to providing forward-looking technologies in Europe for greater productivity, safety and energy efficiency in logistics and intralogistics. With more than 3000 employees worldwide and a global network of production facilities and subsidiaries, we are one of the leading companies in our industry.

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