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The loading bay is as important to
the safe and effective operation
of a warehouse as the handling
equipment and systems inside. One
manufacturer, Stertil Dock Products,
has installed a series of loading dock
houses for Greggs plc 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.
Dock Houses
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of the existing outdated installation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.
Prevent Damage
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,” says 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.”
Safety & efficiency
30
Logistics Business Magazine | September 2015
Loading Bay