Future proof loading bays
February 1st 2005

Hörmann says its focus on R&D and determination to stay ahead of legislation makes its products a logical choice

The reliability of its goods in and out system is critical for many warehouse and distribution companies, who do not want the headaches of substandard, unreliable equipment which, when even the simplest of things goes wrong, could lead to having one or more loading bays out of operation at critical times.

Hörmann, despite its huge international presence, remains a rare commodity in today’s industrial world – a family business with family values of top quality products and competitive prices.

Although the recent merger of Hörmann UK with its sister companies Dyna Seal UK and Seuster Doors Limited has resulted in a strong portfolio of industrial and loading bay products, it still prides itself on engineering its products to suit clients’ specific requirements.

All of Hörmann’s products are built inhouse, offering a comprehensive selection from one single source, delivering consistent Hörmann quality across the whole range. Products available include; sectional overhead doors, roller shutter doors, folding doors, fast action doors, personnel access doors and fire doors, and the loading equipment includes; dock levellers, dock shelters and loading bay accessories such as traffic lights, dock bumpers, vehicle restraints and wheel guides.

Hörmann’s loading bay products have become increasingly popular as it can now offer fully integrated loading bay systems matched to the operational and functional requirements of the individual client and its business.

Recognising the quality of the product and level of service available from Hörmann, ProLogis, the UK and Europe’s leading provider of distribution warehouses facilities recently commissioned Hörmann UK Limited to supply the loading bay materials for a large distribution centre that was recently built for – and is now occupied by – the Co-operative Group at ProLogis Park in Coventry.

The contractor for the job was Winvic, which had worked with Hörmann before and was happy to recommend them to ProLogis for this project. In all Hörmann supplied and installed materials for 28 bays, including dock levellers, shelters, loading bay doors, and extras such as LED traffic lights, internal dock lights, composite control panels, dock buffers with steel face plates. It also supplied two level access doors, fourteen steel fire exit doors and two fire shutters.

Alan Jenkins, commercial director of Hörmann Industrial Doors commented: “Too often products are value engineered in an attempt to remain competitive, and often quality is sacrificed for cost. For example, loading bay doors have to be stronger than domestic garage doors, and yet many companies will provide the same spring and other operational components for both. Hörmann Industrial Doors are fitted with much stronger and more durable parts, built specifically for their purpose, and which are tested and built to the quality you would expect from Germany.

Robin Orgill, Winvic’s Project Manager, was also delighted with the Hörmann product: “The project was completed in 21 weeks and will be used as a distribution centre for the Co-operative Group,” he said.

“We are confident that the whole building, including the loading bays, will work reliably and efficiently.” The completeness of Hörmann’s loading bay programme range allows engineered equipment to be specifically matched to the respective operating conditions in terms of the goods to be loaded, size of vehicles, sealing requirements and door equipment and as such plays an essential role in the smooth transfer of goods in a safe and efficient manner.

All products are manufactured under strict quality controls that ensure the highest standards. As virtually all of the Hörmann products are manufactured within the group, traceability of products and parts will provide its customers with a better and more efficient after sales service.

Hörmann is committed to ongoing R&D in new products and keeping ahead of legislation. For example, all of Hörmann’s doors are CE marked in compliance with the Machinery directive; they also comply with incoming changes to the CE marking legislation now. As from May 2005, CE marking will need to satisfy two recently issued European Standards, BSEN 12604 and BSEN 12453. These standards cover the mandatory requirements for safety for both mechanical and power operated doors.

As Hörmann’s loading bay doors fully comply with both new sets of standards now, they may prove an attractive solution for most industrial door and loading bay situations.

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