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Truck and Track Winter 2018 30
LOADING BAYS
An installation of 99 loading bays
by Stertil Dock Products supports a
revolutionary DHL distribution hub at
Manchester Airport City.
Situated close to junction 6 of the M56
Motorway, the location of the DHL
distribution hub is ideal to meet growing
demand for parcels traffic between
Manchester Airport and the North West.
The company’s 37,308 sq ft facility
incorporates a mix of conventional
loading bays and specially shaped bays to
accommodate Mercedes Sprinter vans. In
fact, the site replicates a similar installation
at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
Prior to securing the contract, Stertil
Dock Products constructed a prototype
installation within its premises in
Northampton. Extensive trials of the
prototype proved the performance,
effectiveness and reliability of its design.
The DHL distribution hub receives around-
the-clock deliveries by a wide range of road transport including
vans, trucks, container lorries and double deck trailers. The ‘goods
in’ area of the hub features an installation of six loading bays most
of which compriseWE 574 collapsible frame dock shelters, XF 3020
dock levellers, Thermadoor sectional insulated doors and wheel
guides plus LED dock and traffic lights. However, two of the loading
bays, which are designated to accommodate double deck vehicles,
incorporate extra height WIS dock shelters featuring revolutionary
head curtains.
Upon arrival, these vehicles, which carry palletised consignments
and roll cages containing boxed goods, are unloaded and individual
items are placed onto conveyers that transport the boxes into
the heart of the distribution hub for sorting and processing. This
operation involves the breaking down of delivered loads into
individual customer consignments.
Once assembled, the consignments are then transported on
conveyers to specified loading bays within the hub’s pick up
and delivery (PUD) section. These bespoke PUD bays, which are
serviced by a fleet of Mercedes Sprinter vans, incorporate an
external tapered dock seal that matches the shape of the vans.
This minimises heat loss from the building during loading and
unloading operations whilst also protecting personnel against
adverse weather conditions.
“We are delighted to have been commissioned to supply all the
loading bay equipment for this prestigious distribution hub within
Manchester Airport City,” says Andy Georgiou, Stertil Dock Products’
General Manager. “Our research and development engineers
worked closely with DHL to design our bespoke solution and testing
of the prototype system at our works in Northampton proved its
effectiveness beyond doubt. The DHL hub maintains a relentless
24/7 operation and the Stertil docks and doors help ensure that the
site runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible.”
Bespoke loading bays from
Stertil Dock Products support
DHL operations at Manchester Airport