Loading bays represent a critical area when it comes to safety, operational efficiency and energy savings. With the pressure also on supply chains to reduce environmental impact, all these factors are combined in the latest loading bay designs and developments by Hörmann
Whether it is the refurbishment of a single bay or the development of a new distribution centre good planning is the key to meeting the financial, operational and safety needs of each site.
As a true one-stop-shop for loading bays and industrial doors, Hörmann is well placed to deliver the best solutions and develop better options. With integration at the core of the development process, dock levellers, door shelters, and ancillary equipment work together seamlessly, helping improve both efficiency and safety.
However one of the key factors in reducing the carbon footprint of a project is to create designs that offer flexibility to meet future needs, therefore minimising the whole life environmental impact of the development.
In order to predict this future need, both Hörmann and provider of distribution buildings Prologis have been consulting with logistics operators and key customers to develop the warehouses and loading bays of the future.
The aim of the consultation process is to determine occupiers’ evolving needs so that warehouse designs are – as far as possible future proofed. This also lays the foundations for new product development at Hörmann. For Prologis, a commitment to sustainable building has already developed a forward thinking culture that has resulted in a number of customer focused initiatives. The introduction of the build-to-suit, five-year lease initiative is one of the latest examples of this approach. In exchange for a five-year lease commitment, Prologis will build a high quality, sustainable distribution centre. The short-term nature of the lease means Prologis needs to design the buildings to be flexible and adaptable. While offering real value for money to its customers and aiming to minimise the lifetime carbon footprint of each building, Prologis must also maximise its investment.
Working with 3PLs to predict not only the most likely future developments but also the speed of change is already making design changes that will add value to new developments. The adoption of a “standard” dock height of 1,300mm with a 3.5m dock leveller means new builds can readily handle a wider range of vehicle types. This instant flexibility also has a benefit in the construction phase, as standard size dock shelters and dock houses can be installed, without modification, speeding up the build process.
Before the introduction of the new build-to-suit, five-year lease initiative, Hörmann and Prologis collaborated over delivering more flexible solutions on a number of developments. The new warehouse for BMW parts distribution at Prologis Park Pineham includes ‘knock through’ pre-cast concrete door panels that have been placed between the current loading bays so additional bays could be easily installed should BMW’s needs change. This adds to the long term use of the building which could readily be modified for any future tenants. At Prologis Park Bradford, an alternative solution was employed where manual, insulated, sectional doors where fitted instead of “knock through” panels to a section of a building that was designed to accommodate additional bays should they be required. In both these examples the flexibility to expand with minimal environmental impact was key.
Prologis’ build-to-suit programme can meet a wide range of requirements from the need to accommodate double deck trailers to specific designs to incorporate automated loading equipment. The key to these new developments is how they can be adapted in the future. As an example, using pedestal loading houses that can simply be unbolted and exchanged for an alternative design is a possible option. This helps to resolve the potential conflict between a bespoke design, developed to meet very specific needs, and the ability to readily adapt a loading area as needs evolve.
The desire to meet customers needs not only drives planning but also new product development. Ancillary equipment such as energy efficient LED lighting, the Hörmann ThermoFrame and the new HFB forklift barrier have all been introduced to add value to existing options by contributing to improved safety and energy saving.
The latest generation of products and the fore-thought applied to their design, are said to deliver better, safer, more efficient loading bay options while reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Hörmann (UK)
T: 01530 513000
