Stertil Dock Products has installed a series of loading dock houses for Greggs to ensure safe and efficient distribution from the Group’s bakery in Birmingham.
In 1951, John Gregg opened a small shop and bakery in Gosforth using flour from specially milled wheat to achieve the distinctive Greggs taste and texture. During the next two decades, Greggs grew steadily by acquiring regional bakery retailers across the UK and established shops in Scotland, Yorkshire and the North West. This was followed by expansion into the Midlands, Wales and North London and the Group now has almost 1700 shops. Significantly, Greggs remains rooted in its local communities and, alongside its national product range, the Group is proud to offer its much-loved regional specialities.
Greggs Birmingham Bakery recently approached Stertil Dock Products to evaluate its distribution operations following the purchase of a new fleet of delivery vehicles. In particular, the bakery’s management was looking to not only streamline loading and unloading activities but also overcome the problem of lorries being damaged by the existing loading dock equipment.
Following a detailed evaluation, Stertil Dock Products proposed replacement of the existing outdated installation with a series of 12 dock houses. This proposal took into account the different shapes and sizes of the bakery’s new 35-strong delivery fleet which includes 18 tonne standard delivery vehicles and articulated lorries. Each dock house features a 6000kg capacity, XP 2518 hydraulic dock leveller. Manufactured from high tensile steel, the leveller incorporates a 600mm telescopic extending lip to ensure precise positioning of the lip onto a vehicle bed and a constant contact rear hinge assembly for the smooth transfer of goods. The accuracy of the lip allows full loading up to the rear of a vehicle and eliminates the possibility of damage to goods during loading and unloading operations.
To accommodate double deck trailers, the proposal also included the supply of a WI 307 inflatable dock shelter which supports the bakery’s special freezer dock. Mounted directly to the building, this shelter features a system of inflatable head and side air bags to ensure an effective seal between the trailer and the dock, thereby preserving the internal temperature of the building.
Safety and efficiency at the Greggs Birmingham Bakery site has been further enhanced by the inclusion of various complementary loading bay ancillaries within the Stertil installation. Each dock house includes high visibility LED traffic lights, a push button composite control panel, wheel guides, LED dock lights and PE 450 dock bumpers to prevent damage to the new dock houses and delivery vehicles.
“The new dock houses from Stertil Dock Products have helped make our distribution process slicker and safer,” said Steve Chance, engineering manager at Greggs Birmingham Bakery. “Previous health and safety issues have been resolved and our drivers love the new docks as they have made the loading operation so much easier.”
