Three reasons to service your docking systems

Loading bays are at the heart of the UK’s distribution network and, at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, we are proud to be keeping operations running smoothly for operators across the country. 

Every year, we are responsible for servicing more than 29,000 industrial door and docking solutions for some of the UK’s largest distribution and logistics specialists. We achieve this through our dedicated maintenance and servicing programmes, equipping customers with the hands-on expertise of our dedicated team of engineers – the largest of its kind in the UK.

Service and maintenance plays an instrumental role in keeping essential equipment moving. And by keeping systems operating as they should, we are supporting our customers to improve safety, productivity and efficiency at their facilities.

1. Safety first

Typically the busiest areas of a distribution hub, loading bays see a constant flow of large vehicles as thousands of items pass through the doors every minute. While this high volume of traffic is essential to efficiency, it also requires safety to be a top priority.

With every vehicle that pulls up to a docking bay, the potential for accidents increases. Here, the design of individual docking stations can minimise risk and maximise safety. Including dock doors, levellers, shelters and load houses, every component will play its own role in enhancing safety on site.

Firstly, dock shelters can be utilised to minimise the impact of weather on operations – including slippery surfaces which may compromise worker safety and comfort. From there, dock levellers will allow for the gap between docking bays and the vehicle to be bridged safely, while restraint systems can be used to keep trailers secure and minimise trailer creep during the loading and unloading process. Either manual or automatic, restraint systems can be linked to dock doors, allowing them to be opened only when a trailer is secure, further enhancing safety.

To keep these essential components in optimum operating condition, they must be regularly serviced. We work closely with our customers to understand their specific operations and will determine the frequency of a tailored maintenance programme based of key factors such as the age of components and how regularly they are used. In doing so, we can help to identify problems before they occur and maximise safety on site.

2. Underpinning productivity

While safety is a primary concern for any facilities manager, it is not the only consideration. The entrance systems used across a site should also contribute to heightened productivity.

A malfunctioning piece of equipment can be the cause of significant challenges, especially when occurring during busy periods. Directly impacting productivity and performance of critical assets, unforeseen downtime can trigger further operational problems, disrupt the flow of goods and even increase the likeliness of accidents occurring.

By scheduling maintenance at planned periods, downtime can be minimised. In turn, this enables productivity to be heightened, particularly during busy periods. In the UK, millions of parcels are delivered every day, each of which will pass through national and regional sorting and distribution hubs. 

Reliable entrance systems are critical in keeping those packages moving. With ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems IoT (Internet of Things) technology, instant reporting can be provided into the health and performance of the door and docking solutions. This equips facilities managers with insights into specific pieces of equipment, including their service history, to better inform maintenance schedules and underpin productivity.

3. Enhancing efficiency

When productivity is improved, efficiency comes next. Combined, distribution and logistics facilities can maximise their output by making the most of every asset’s full potential, simultaneously reducing their environmental impact and cutting operating costs.

Modern building standards require commercial buildings to be more efficient than ever before. This is all part of a broader government ambition to slash carbon emissions and is concentrating efforts of energy saving strategies. As key elements of a building’s fabric, entrance systems – including industrial doors and loading bay equipment – should be considered a key element of any sustainability initiatives.

To maximise efficiency over the long-term, a sound service and maintenance programme is a proven approach. Even when industry-leading systems are installed from the outset, their upkeep is what keeps them operating smoothly and efficiently for the years and decades ahead. In turn, this improves an asset’s service life and reduces lifetime cost of ownership.

Everything from rapid operation through to automation can elevate the efficient performance of industrial door assets. At a time when energy demand and cost is greater than ever, this is particularly beneficial for businesses, boosting their performance alongside sustainability credentials.

What does Service from ASSA ABLOY look like?

To realise the full scope of benefits from routinely servicing and maintaining your industrial doors and docking systems, working with a specialist is paramount. 

The local expertise of ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems is supported by global operations, delivering a service which provides preventative maintenance, actionable insights and a real-time overview. In the UK, we’re making significant investments which allow us to meet the ever-changing requirements of our customers as they grow and evolve.

In addition to establishing our brand-new Spare Parts Centre, we have upgraded our fleet of vans with an additional 600kgs payload, allowing more space to carry original parts, both from ASSA ABLOY and other suppliers. Our investment also means each of our engineers will be equipped with their own scissor lift, improving the rate of first-time fix and minimising repair time, with savings passed on to customers. Our skilled service engineers are available 24/7 – over the phone and in person – to help our customers solve challenges as they arise, minimise disruption and keep operations moving.

With flexible and tailored packages available to suit businesses of all sizes, we are actively supporting logistics and distribution specialists to maximise the full potential of their entrance solutions. Even where solutions from other brands are installed, we are capable of providing a full maintenance and service programme.

Our preventative maintenance includes planned service visits and replacement of old components, ensuring continued safety and quality checks are carried out with precision. Elsewhere, modernisation and upgrades can be provided by our team where necessary, enabling solutions to function as required over their entire lifetime.

As businesses grow and our relationships with customers evolve, our commitment to delivering an uncompromising service remains the same.