Feature Loading bays & doors Double-deck solution for retail giant John Lewis
Loading and unloading specialist Thorworld Industries has supplied John Lewis with new Inflatable Dock Pad Seals to cater for its increased use of double-deck vehicle trailers
F
or over a decade, loading bays at John Lewis’ distribution depot in Liverpool have been fitted with Thorworld’s Inflatable Dock Pad Seals, which provide a virtually air- tight sealed insulation around docked vehicles between internal and external environments. This ensures effective protection against inclement weather, in order to reduce energy costs as well as providing a healthy working envi- ronment for warehouse employees. For John Lewis’ Liverpool opera- tion, the dock pad seals have been invaluable, as the depot’s branch maintenance manager, Mark Allen explains: “Our loading bay doors face towards the Mersey, so whenever there’s a prevailing wind we’re at the mercy of the elements. Thorworld’s Inflatable Dock Pad Seals are extremely effective in maintaining a consistent internal temperature, for
the well-being both of our staff and our heating bills.
In recent years, the increasing use of double-deck trailers has put new pres- sures on the loading bays and the orig- inal dock pad seals were beginning to be damaged beyond repair by activity for which they had not been fitted. Thorworld’s technical manager, Ian Langan, explains: “While the seals can easily accommodate a double-deck trailer, the height of the fans used to inflate the seals was based on single- decker usage. Inevitably, the subse- quent arrival of double-deck trailers has resulted in the fans being damaged.” John Lewis realised that long-term efficiency of the depot required a swift upgrade, and the company asked Thorworld to provide new and up-to- date Inflatable Dock Pad Seals. Four pairs of Inflatable Dock Pad Seals were ordered to accommodate
Thorworld has supplied Inflatable Dock Pad Seals to John Lewis to accommodate double deck vehicle trailers
the depot’s loading bays. Thorworld then worked closely with John Lewis on the planning of the installation, which required the removal of the old seals as well the repositioning of the fans to the top corner of the bays, high enough to avoid coming into contact with double-deck trailers.
Thorworld Industries T: 01246 260981
thorworld.co.uk Enter 352
Inflatable Dock Pad Seals are fitted around the sides and top of each load- ing bay. The vehicle simply reverses up to the pad as normal and, once in position, the seals are then inflated - which takes around 30 seconds - to create a tight seal before the doors are then opened and loading/unloading can proceed. Curved sides guarantee that an effective seal is maintained even in high winds.
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Enter 109 MAY 2012 Materials Handling & Logistics
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