As energy prices look set to continue rising throughout 2010, more and more
companies will be looking to cut the cost of their fuel bills. And, according to
John Meale, Managing Director of Thorworld Industries Ltd, one of the first
places to achieve energy savings is in the loading bay – particularly if you
operate an ambient or temperature controlled building such as a cold
store.
In a typical warehouse, distribution centre or factory, loading
bays can be in frequent use throughout a typical working day. As a result,
companies can incur increased energy costs as their climate control systems
struggle to maintain a consistent internal temperature during loading and
unloading operations when external doors are constantly opened and closed.
But, says John Meale, minimising internal temperature changes and
reducing energy costs in the loading bay is not only simple but extremely
cost-effective with the installation of Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals, which provide virtually
airtight sealed insulation between the internal and external
environments.
Extremely effective and easy to install, operate and
maintain, Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals are fitted around the sides and top of
each loading bay. The vehicle simply reverses up to the dock as normal and, once
in position, the Thortight seals are then inflated – which takes around 30
seconds – to create a tight seal before the doors are then opened and
loading/unloading can proceed. Curved sides guarantee that an effective seal is
maintained even in high winds.
Not only does a Thortight Inflatable Dock
Seal prevent the loss of refrigerated or warm air, but it also helps to prevent
dirt, dust and insects from entering the building thus minimising the potential
for contamination – vital where food or other hygiene critical products are
prepared or stored – as well as providing an enhanced working environment for
employees.
Speaking about Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals, John Meale
said: "Companies operating ambient or refrigerated environments invest a lot in
the fabric, fixtures and fittings of their buildings in order to maintain the
optimum internal temperature in the most cost-effective manner. Then every time
an external door is opened to load or unload a vehicle, all that precious cool
or warm air escapes, resulting in an unnecessary increase in energy costs – as
well as being detrimental to the internal business operations and working
conditions.
"We've already seen one big name supermarket chain investing
in Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals for all its distribution centres throughout
the UK, joining a number of other major high street brands and independent
operations. And with more and more companies now looking even more closely at
their ever-increasing fuel bills, I’m certain this product will become even more
popular in 2010."
Available in eight different sizes to fit doors
between 3m and 3.3 m wide and 3.2m and 4.6 m high, Thortight Inflatable Dock
Seals are ideal for the majority of loading bays and, thanks to their unique
design, they are also suitable for use with a wide variety of different vehicle
sizes and types. Bespoke seals can be produced to meet specific individual
customer requirements.
Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals are constructed
from four main components - the top cushion, two side cushions and the fitting
set - with the largest having a unit weight of 150kg. This is covered by a
corrugated steel roof and the fan used to inflate the seals is placed externally
under the roof. Air is taken from outside so no internal heated or cooled air is
used and noise level inside the building is low.
Manufactured from
Neoprene Polyamide fabric coated with Chloroprene rubber, the seals are smooth
and extremely durable. And because the seals are not inflated until the vehicle
is in place, everyday wear and tear is minimised, ensuring that they have a long
working life. In fact, when used in conjunction with Thorworld wheel guides/alignment curbs and dock bumpers, the
truck will never touch the seals at all, other than when they are inflated.
"These are extremely hard wearing products, offering year after year of
energy savings, as well as an enhanced internal environment," said John
Meale.
Thorworld is firmly established as one of the foremost designers,
manufacturers and suppliers to the loading bay and materials handling sectors
and is recognised as both a market leader and innovator in the supply of quality
engineered equipment.
The company provides a one-stop, single source for
what is claimed to be the most extensive range of high quality loading bay and
materials handling products, safety aids and accessories in the UK, including
dock shelters and seals, dock levellers, modular loading docks, dock plates and
boards, dock and vehicle bumpers, wheel chocks, vehicle restraints, traffic
lights wheel guides, alignment curbs and mobile yardramps (available for
purchase or rental through the company’s RentARAmp operation, on a sale or
return basis), together with the Truckloada mobile yardlift and the Dockloada
scissor lift platform. |
