LED dock lights cut carbon
June 1st 2011 Loading and unloading equipment specialist Thorworld Industries has introduced
optional LED bulbs for its Standard Plus Dock Lights.This will boost cost-effectiveness
and energy efficiency, says md John Meale.
LED bulbs are a viable and attractive alternative to existing
80 watt bulbs and this initiative continues our drive
towards enhancing sustainability across our product range,
as well as supporting customers' environmental policies by
offering green solutions wherever possible.
Compared to standard halogen bulbs, the 12 watt LED bulbs
deliver an energy saving of approximately 85%. At the same time,
they have no adverse effect on light quality, with a comparable
standard of illumination to halogens (over 1000 Lumens).
That's not the only advantage to customers: the lifespan of an
LED bulb is as much as 50,000 hours. This is at
least a ten-fold increase in life expectancy over
halogen bulbs, ensuring significant reductions
in the replacement of consumables for a
lower overall cost of ownership.We
estimate that, under typical
distribution centre operating
conditions, the LED Dock
Light becomes more costeffective
within two years of
purchase.
With rising energy prices
and the growth of corporate
sustainability policies, our
customers are on the lookout for
long-term solutions that can
simultaneously reduce costs and waste.
Changing a light bulb might seem only a small act, but it
produces a big 'win' ? meaning less hassle, lower energy
consumption and enhanced environmental credentials, without
any discernable loss of illumination.
Dock seals and bumpers
This environmental initiative follows the launch in 2010 of
Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals and patented Sliding Nylon Dock
Bumpers. These designs also provide customers with added value
in terms of cost, efficiency and sustainability.
Thortight Inflatable Dock Seals provide virtually airtight
sealed insulation between internal and external environments ?
making them suitable for all forms of warehousing and
distribution centres, and particularly for those operating an
ambient or temperature controlled building such as a cold
store.
Once the vehicle is in position, the seals
inflate within 30 seconds to maintain a consistent internal
temperature. This prevents the loss of refrigerated or warm
air, which is both costly and inefficient in terms of the additional
energy required by climate control systems to stabilise the
temperature.
It also helps to prevent ingress of dirt, dust or insects to
minimise the potential for contamination. In areas where food or
other hygiene critical products are prepared or stored, this can
significantly reduce the risk of food waste ? a major contributor
to carbon footprints.
The Sliding Nylon Dock Bumpers are designed to optimise
material use to deliver an increased life-span of as much as four
times that of a traditional nylon dock bumper and significantly
more than that for conventional rubber dock bumpers.
The use of dock bumpers is intended to provide customers
with years of cost-effective, shock-absorbing protection, saving
tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to vehicles and
docks.
By incorporating a sliding design, Thorworld adds further
value because each bumper can be turned upside-down and
back-to-front to ensure even wear, thus extending its lifespan.
Added to this, the sliding action helps to extend the bumper's
lifespan still further because the nylon can move with the vehicle
thus minimising abrasion damage.
We are driven to implement 'green' thinking as standard.Most
of our existing steel, nylon, rubber and aluminium products are
already recyclable, and we endeavour to source sustainable
materials wherever possible.
In addition, our engineering pedigree ensures that nothing
need be wasted when it can be recycled. One scheme that is
proving increasingly popular is the supply of refurbished Mobile
Yardramps, which not only provide low-cost alternatives for
customers on a budget but serve
to avoid unnecessary scrappage. More articles from Thorworld Industries: | 
