Adjust the loading bay for dotcom operations

Industrial door and loading bay manufacturer Hörmann has seen a significant increase in demand for docking stations that are capable of operating safely and effectively for multiple vehicle types. Many retailers utilise a wide range of transport, including standard, double deck and aerodynamic trailers, as well as vans and other smaller vehicles. 

Multiple fleets like these are often expected to be accommodated within the same loading bays. As a result, Hörmann has been recommending that dotcom businesses opt for longer dock shelters with inflatable heads, which create a seal around the trailer, irrespective of its size. In addition to providing increased insulation, this option also minimises rainwater run-off in adverse weather conditions, helping to reduce any slip hazards.

Longer dock levellers are also becoming more popular for the same reason. Versions with telescopic lips are the prime choice, as they enable precise positioning for a greater range of vehicles, making docking both easier and safer.

When loading and unloading of both vans and trucks from the same level access bay is required, Hörmann’s Parcel Walk door is an ideal choice, as it is more efficient and cost-effective than alternative three phase devices. It uses around 75 per cent less power to operate, and with a price point approximately 30 per cent below competitor products, it offers extremely good value for retailers and parcel delivery companies.

This comes as welcome news, especially as package services are growing exponentially. In a report commissioned by Royal Mail, PwC predicts that by 2023, UK parcel deliveries will reach an incredible 2.3 billion items a year.

Designed specifically for loading bays that cater for both vans and trucks, the Parcel Walk door can separate into two sections or be raised in full. For lower levels vans, the whole door is lifted, creating level access from the loading area into the vehicle.

The Parcel Walk’s real innovation comes when operating with trucks or demountable bodies. Two access ladders on either side of the door lead to an attached pedestrian walkway, which provides level access into the back of the truck. This design means the Parcel Walk is particularly suited for the increasing number of operations that utilise conveyor systems for loading and unloading.

Supplied as standard with Hörmann’s compact WA 300 SA operator, which includes soft-start soft-stop technology, the Parcel Walk has been designed to be safe as well as practical. Force limitation technology stops the door automatically if it encounters an obstruction, removing the need for any additional sensors within the frame. 

Parcel delivery isn’t the only trend that has had a notable impact on loading bay design. An increased focus on energy efficiency has led to a dramatic rise in demand for fast-action, insulated doors. Hörmann’s ISO Speed Cold door, which is specially designed for temperature controlled operations, has become an industry standard with chilled food retailers looking to cut refrigeration costs.

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Insulated doors for non-chilled areas are also becoming more popular, leading Hörmann to develop new energy-saving panels for its high-speed sectional door range. Due to be made available to the UK later this year, the new insulated sections are expected to prove a success across the logistics industry.

Whether updating existing builds or installing equipment and machinery at new sites, it is important to stay ahead with research and development. Retailers are looking to the property market to help them future-proof their operations and meet stringent environmental regulations. As such, it is essential that companies like Hörmann work in tandem with developers, and provide high quality, rigorously tested products that meet the changing needs of logistics businesses.