The art of good procurement
December 1st 2010

The loading bay is a vital link in the production and distribution chain.

Securing the right loading and unloading equipment is therefore key. The following pointers should help you make the best choices, says Thorworld md John Meale

1. Run the rule over suppliers Talk to well-known and established suppliers whose experienced sales engineers should fully understand your needs and who will help you achieve a continuing drive for increased efficiency by supplying products which fully meet your specific requirements - both short and longer term. It's also worth checking if they are members of an appropriate trade or industry association, such as the Association of Loading & Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM).

   After the sales engineer has suggested a specific product or group of products, ask for details of existing users. You can then talk to them direct, or possibly visit one or more together with the potential supplier to see the equipment in action and to check on customer satisfaction levels.

   It's often worth considering a single-source supplier, who can provide all your main loading and unloading equipment requirements, together with the necessary accessories, as well as offering the vitally important after-sales service and maintenance facility.

2. Standards are key Make sure all the equipment suggested by suppliers or manufacturers is produced under strict quality controls that ensure the highest European health and safety standards. It's worth remembering that an estimated 25 per cent of factory and warehouse accidents occur in and around the loading bay. High levels of personnel and mechanical traffic, often combined with a low appreciation of the risks involved, mean that loading bays can, potentially, be extremely hazardous places in which to work.
3. Look out for certification BSI registered,with CE mark certification, Thorworld has been ISO 9002 accredited since 1992 and was one of the first in the industry to achieve the latest ISO international quality management standard.

   It's a fact that an increasing quantity of materials handling equipment that does not carry the official CE mark or meet European quality and safety standards and legislation is now coming into the country, particularly from Eastern Europe and Asia. For example, I have seen a new loading ramp made in Eastern Europe that was totally unsafe to use. In my view, the ramp,which did not have the CE mark, was a major health and safety hazard. Using inferior materials handling and loading bay equipment could pose a threat to the health and safety of your personnel. So before you buy, always double check with the supplier that all their equipment is CE marked and has been made to EU quality, design and safety standards; don't just assume it has been.

4. Speed of service You also need to be confident that the supplier can offer a fast and reliable maintenance or replacement service, should something go wrong with the equipment. You cannot afford to have extensive and expensive downtime because of a breakdown or damage.
5. Check out hire options If the need is temporary, perhaps seasonal, there are significant financial benefits to be had by renting rather than buying some forms of loading equipment. As rental can be paid from income, companies can save precious capital for other expenditure.

Through our specialist RentARamp operation we provide high quality mobile yardramps, available for purchase or rental on a sale or return basis, which are ideal for loading and unloading vehicle trailers by fork truck where there are no suitable raised loading bays. Talking your problems through with an experienced and respected supplier can often to lead to an unexpected solution to a loading bay requirement.

Case studies When considering the installation of an extra loading dock at its distribution complex in Manchester, Brother (UK) had to take into account the cost of buying an additional fork lift truck as well as the associated civil engineering work.

After speaking to us about the situation we suggested that putting in one of our Truckloada mobile yardlifts would maximise the facilities, whilst at the same time achieving financial economies. As the outside area in front of the new loading bay's roller shutter doors was on an incline, using the Truckloada meant there was no need to level the ground. This saved money and delivered health and safety benefits.

Additionally, loading large grass cutting machines onto low loaders at equipment distributor Lely (UK) has been made quicker and easier with a purpose-designed Thorworld mobile yard ramp.

Lely (UK) transport manager, Kevin Morgan, says: "The Thorworld ramp has made us much more efficient and I was impressed with their technical expertise." For KAB Seatiing, cost efficiencies and improved safety were achieved from the creation of a bespoke Thorworld modular loading dock system, together with the provision of various loading dock accessories.

KAB facilities engineer, Brian Bateman, says: "With the Thorworld modular loading dock system, the loading of containers has been made much more efficient, without the need for the previous two-man operation."

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