Total protection
March 1st 2005 The performance of the loading bay is critical to the logistics of any operation and companies are starting to take a more sophisticated approach to the design and management of this vital link in the supply chain
There are many factors that have become higher priority in recent years such as health and safety, security, the ever increasing desire to reduce heating costs and even aesthetics.
Many companies are expecting their building design to reflect a broader corporate identity and project a more attractive company image. The canopy building is ideal for loading bay applications. Easy to install and flexible in design, it provides environmental protection where required as well as temporary storage.
Case study For textile rental company Bourne Textiles Services of Bourne, Lincolnshire CopriSystems designed an application to protect their loading operation and provide additional storage space.
A 15m wide by 18m long canopy has been installed with full height ST dock shelters fitted to the front of the canopy which is in an exposed position to high winds in the area. The shelters allow vehicles to reverse inside the building thereby providing total environmental protection for the goods loading operation.
The size of the canopy also means that Bourne Textiles can store goods before loading thereby freeing up space in the factory.
Supplying linen to hotels and restaurants across the East of England through their franchise agreement with Brooks Service Group, the canopy has enabled them to expand their operation.
“We needed something quickly to provide environmental protection and give an existing concrete base, where the canopy’s integral wheel system is set in a track, allowing the canopy to be fully retracted when not in use if space is a problem. For companies who need protection fast, this is ideal.
Christmas period For the fourth year running, Entertainment UK based in Hayes rented a CopriSystems canopy for three months over the Christmas period.
Entertainment UK purchase music albums, videos, DVD, games software and books and distribute them to stores around the country. Over the Christmas period additional stocks are bought to fulfil the seasonally increased orders.
“We only need the extra space over the Christmas period so this canopy is ideal for our requirements” said Alastair Webb, project manager. “It is erected when and where we need it and then removed when we have finished.” Winter can be a difficult time of year with wet and windy weather leading to problems loading and unloading and storing goods. Sharp increases in orders during seasonal peaks, combined with a lack of storage provision, can mean overloaded warehouses, blocked aisles and the supply chain suffers. Companies for whom this is an annual problem can plan ahead and organise a short term solution.
If the need is temporary, there are also significant financial benefits to renting a building. As rental can be paid from income, companies can save precious capital for other expenditure. Capital Allowances can be claimed in many cases.
CopriSystems‚ rental package includes delivery, installation and construction, inclusive of any ground works if required, with the same service for the removal of the building at the end of the contract.
The canopy building can also provide a permanent long term solution. Although called temporary‚ structures, canopy buildings have extended longevity, typically fifteen years for the cover and 25 years for the steel. As with most things, good maintenance will yield best results.
Weather protection Kitchen manufacturers William Ball, in Grays, Essex has installed a second canopy on site to provide environmental protection for their goods in and out.
“We are very restricted in the warehouse to collate jobs” said Richard Megran, assistant to works director. “We ended up loading vehicles later to avoid the weather.
Performance was hindered.”
The canopy has been specially designed to suit the Essex site. Rear wall mounted against the front of the warehouse, a height of 5m was required to cover large sliding doors.
Measuring 18m wide and 9m long, the canopy opens from either end into the middle rather than the middle out. This split provides two distinct openings rather than one large one.
As the front of the canopy is directly opposite the site entrance gates, having the two smaller openings prevents lorries driving straight into the canopy itself and taking up valuable storage space. There are also doorways on each side of the canopy so fork lift trucks can run through the canopy easily from end to end.
Constructed from a galvanized steel frame CopriSystems‚ canopy has a PVC coated polyester fabric cover, that is selfextinguishing and does not flame or flare in a fire. Alternatively it can be clad with rigid profiled panels for additional security.
All buildings are designed and engineered to conform to BS6399 (Building Regulations - wind and snow loadings). More articles from CopriSystems Ltd: | 
