Investing in a new build warehouse is always going to be a huge financial decision, the longevity of the facility, design and the return on investment over time is a critical component of the decision. But now it is also hugely important to think about future proofing your loading bays, because of new distribution changes created within the industry and new shopping demands.
Ensuring your warehouse meets the flexibility required to cope with changing Omnichannel distribution means that you can no longer rely on just consulting a builder when considering a new build warehouse. It is in your best interest to speak to a reputable loading bay supplier who can guide you to create the perfect loading bay solution for your demand, ensuring you have a flexible set up going forward.
Having this close relationship between loading bay operator and equipment supplier means that you can eliminate common design flaws that may impact your business in the future, a common mistake found when designing a new build warehouse is having incorrect dock heights and dock leveller lengths, which can cause issues with equipment failure and could mean a risk to warehouse staff.
To ensure you have the correct plan in place for future distribution channels you must engage in site visits and discuss the best way to meet the need for flexibility – investment in specifying your exact needs at this point will reduce your costs further down the line.
Problems that can arise from not investing time into the design stage include, a risk to staff and early equipment failure. It is important for the supplier to know the weight and type of equipment that will be used on dock levellers, so the right capacity leveller is provided. A dock leveller with two or more hydraulic legs offers a much better stability solution than a single lift design, allowing uneven weights to be more secure. You must also remember to provide a solution for mixed fleet vehicles that will be using the area – you may need to cater to the needs of arctic trucks and the smaller van, dedicated to handling domestic deliveries.
Please don’t forget that your loading bays also need regular maintenance. Your loading bay safety should be part of the after service you receive from your supplier, without it, at some point your equipment will fail, posing a safety threat and delivery disruptions to your business.
It goes without saying that you should always have accident prevention procedures in place, it has still been known for lorries to pull away prematurely from loading bays causing serious accidents. The equipment exists to prevent these types of accidents so there is no excuse for not having them in place – and although warehouse safety has improved significantly over the last few years, Warehouse Managers should not become complacent.
