Transdek calls for new double-deck loading bay height 06 October 2011

Transdek is recommending the introduction of a new loading bay height at distribution centres handling high volumes of deliveries, with fixed double deck trailers.

Leon Butler, operations director at Transdek, points out that most loading bays are constructed with a raised floor height of 1,200mm to enable a straight run through of loads onto single deck trailers, with minor height adjustments made using dock levellers.

With the increased use of double deck trailers, which typically feature 900mm and 2.9m decks, lifts are essential equipment to fill both levels, he says. This necessitates double handling of product from the warehouse onto the lift and then into the trailer, which slows the loading process down.

To address this issue, Transdek believes a new approach should be adopted, notably with a gradual gradient in double deck bays to allow operatives a direct run on and off the lower vehicle deck.

"We're continually looking at ways to improve the efficiency of loading vehicles," comments Butler. "In the case of fixed double deck trailers we believe new distribution centres should be built with dedicated double deck loading bays with a descending gradient to around 900mm.

Butler believes that vehicle fill time would be reduced, so driving down costs, speeding up turnaround times and reducing handling while improving safety.

"We've found that, in trials, this approach has seen typical fixed double deck vehicle turnaround times cut to as little as 50-minutes," states Butler.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Transdek UK Ltd

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