could you make your warehouse loading bay more efficient?

A warehouse loading dock is an entry or exit point for goods that a business is loading or unloading from trucks or vans. Keeping this part of the facility efficient is crucial because it controls the flow of goods in and out of the warehouse, a factor in the profitability of the warehouse itself.

The loading dock dimensions have a big part to play. After all, you want trucks to be able to come and go comfortably, and also loading and unloading processes to run as smoothly as possible. The height of the loading bay will depend, normally, on the height of the vehicle the warehouse accommodates most frequently. These trucks will also determine the width of the loading bay.

A well organised, well optimised warehouse loading dock benefits businesses tremendously. The greater loading efficiency makes it easier for them to deliver goods faster, creates a safer warehouse loading bay to operate in, cuts costs and increases their warehouse capacity, all of which we discuss further below.

Loading docks may serve the same fundamental function, but different loading docks are beneficial for different environments. Here are some of the main types of loading docks you may encounter in a warehouse:

Flush docks are the most common type of loading dock and allow the back of the truck to fit comfortably into the bay. A flush dock stands parallel to the building and features a secure buffer to avoid any damage to the wall. The dock will nestle comfortably into the building, which makes a flush dock good for small businesses, who may choose this type of dock to save space.

A saw tooth dock is an innovative dock and handy for vehicles that have to manoeuvre in the small outdoor spaces around the warehouse. They’re unique shaped and fit easily into narrow spaces, but they can be bulky to operate within the actual warehouse and waste valuable storage space. Manufacturing businesses tend to be able to accommodate the size of these docks.

Enclosed docks are less common but allow trucks to park indoors, providing anyone loading the vehicle easy access to supplies. These docks also protect goods from environmental or structural damage.

Enclosed docks aren’t without their disadvantages, however. They take up a lot of space, and the business must invest in expensive ventilation systems to stop exhaust fumes and pollution from affecting the workers and the goods.

Open docks are unpopular and uncommon. That’s because these open platforms offer little or no protection of goods against the elements and are also not very secure. Thieves have no problem getting and stealing goods. The only advantage open docks do provide facilities with is the easy access they create for loading.

As we’ve mentioned, an efficient loading bay is essential for your warehouse. Let’s delve into the benefits with which a well-optimised loading bay will reward you:

You can load products and suppliers quicker and get them out onto the road sooner. You can move vehicles out constantly and make space for ones that are coming in. As a result, your level of service and turnaround times will improve, leading to more satisfied customers.

Time is money in logistics. The more time you spend loading, the more money you could be losing. A less efficient loading bay will also require more employees and more support to conduct loading and unloading.

Enhancing your warehouse loading bay efficiency will increase your warehouse capacity. Stock will be able to flow in and out of your warehouse constantly because you’ll be shipping items out sooner. This produces the benefit of you being able to store more because you’re regularly creating space for stock.

Since there are so many different elements in good warehouse operation there are several different ways you can optimise your loading dock operations. Here are some suggestions:

• implement dock scheduling software;
• make yourself aware of the danger;
• invest in the right equipment;
• update your security measures;
• guide trucks to the dock;
• conduct training for staff.

Using dock scheduling software will boost loading dock operations by allowing carriers to book appointments using a scheduling system. The warehouse will then be able to organise itself around the schedule.

When you have this kind of foresight into your loading dock operations, you can then allocate staff hours accordingly to address incoming and outgoing cargo. Naturally, labour costs are a major part of an operator’s budget, so ideally you should make the most efficient use of it possible.

Being aware of the possible dangers of operating in the loading bay is an essential part of being able to work efficiently. Forklift accidents; slips, trips and falls; trailer creep; attention and alertness; and carbon monoxide poisoning are some of the main categories of accidents that occur in loading bays. Understanding these allows you to take preventive steps that make the loading bay safer to work in. If you don’t minimise the risk of these hazards, staff have to slow down, which can hinder their productivity and the speed of your operations.

Investing in the right equipment is just as important as managing your human resources. Vital pieces of loading bay equipment include:

• Vehicle restraints: These restraints hold a vehicle’s rear guard to stop it from creeping and from unscheduled departures, and also avoid forklift fall-through, one of the most dangerous accidents that can occur in a warehouse loading bay. Vehicle restraints are also a safer option and aren’t placed manually like chocks are, which create the possibility of human error and wrong application.
• Hydraulic dock levellers: Businesses use dock levellers in their loading bays to accommodate trailer floors of different heights. Hydraulic dock levellers are better because all they require is the push of a button, rather than force workers to bend down in an awkward position that places them at the risk of an injury. They’re also cost-effective in the longer term because they don’t need as much maintenance as mechanical revellers.
• Conveyors: Conveyors transfer cargo from one part of the warehouse to another. They make it possible to move goods from the trailer to the staging area more easily and, in the process, make loading and unloading quicker and safer because there’s less human intervention.

A considerable amount of theft from a company occurs during shipping. If you leave your freight unattended at a dock, then you especially expose it to wrongdoers. The security measures you implement will depend on the facility, but you should always use freight tracking technology and ensure drivers have all their paperwork in order.

Drivers waste a lot of time lining up the trailer with the dock door. You can save them some by using wheel guides, bumpers, reflective guides and mirrors to help them approach the dock door more speedily. The driver then wastes less time in aligning the trailer and you can load or unload it more smoothly.

Training employees is always worth the time and money. If they don’t know how to use equipment properly, they won’t be as productive as you want them to be. Nor will your loading bay and other parts of the warehouse be as safe as they need to be. Forklift operators in particular must receive training. Failure to provide them with adequate training will place them, their colleagues, the inventory, equipment and premises all at risk.

We provide a range of automated loading systems and manual loading solutions to help you optimise your loading processes, make them safer and cut costs. One of these is Modular Rollerbed Systems for Warehouses, of which we offer a version designed especially for warehouse operators.

This pre-built cargo transit station features an aluminium platform and integrated rise-and-fall tracks, so very little adaptations to your structures are necessary, if at all. The system is easy to install, and we’ll get this set up for you quickly so you can operate as normal.

When you set up the modular rollerbed, you’ll enjoy several benefits. You’ll:

• increase the safety of loading and of transit of cargo around your warehouse;
• reduce the need for forklift trucks to take part in loading and unloading;
• be able to conduct loading and unloading much quicker;
• transform your warehouse in just a few hours.

If you think our modular rollerbed for warehouses could boost your efficiency, or if you operate a different facility and would like to talk to us about our other systems, all of which can impact your loading and unloading operations for the better, feel free to contact us. We’ll advise you on the best system for our business and also install it for you.