Transdek UK has completed the first stage of a project to further enhance double deck loading efficiency for value retailer Boyes by installing a 6.5 tonne double deck lift and three dock levellers at one of its North Yorkshire distribution centres.
Boyes is a chain of 58 department stores across the UK, which began as one small shop in Scarborough. Founded in 1881, the family business stocks a wide range of products, including clothing, fabrics, haberdashery, footwear, babywear, DIY, soft furnishings, confectionery, stationery, toiletries, toys, and pet products.
As part of the project at Boyes’ Havers Hill site in Eastfield, an extension has been built that links two warehouses together – creating a central marshalling and loading area, which also provides additional storage space. Transdek’s three dock leveller pods have been fitted to the front of the new building to increase loading capabilities.
Alongside the fully clad levellers, one of Transdek’s innovative surface mounted 6.5T double deck lifts has also been installed to facilitate increased delivery efficiency from Boyes’ growing fleet of double deck trailers, which can reduce transport costs by up to 40%. The lift can accommodate up to 12 roll cages, each with a 550kg capacity and provides fast loading speeds to maximise trailer use.
One of the challenges faced by Transdek’s team during installation was a significant right to left yard slope, but with its in-house engineering expertise the company designed and manufactured bespoke wheel ramps to correct the gradient and allow level loading for all types of vehicle trailers. Throughout the development, Transdek liaised closely with the project’s local architects to ensure a seamless integration, from planning to execution, of the entire installation process.
This latest project builds on the existing relationship between the two companies, which saw Transdek install two of its 6.5T vehicle to ground (V2G) lifts, with high security roller shutter doors, at Boyes’ distribution centres at Havers Hill and nearby Hopper Hill in 2012. Due to yard restrictions at both sites, this involved Transdek fitting angled extensions with full protection canopies that provided each modular V2G with a direct link to the warehouses, enabling easy vehicle loading.
“Over the last four years, Transdek’s V2G lifts have significantly enhanced our warehouse productivity and increased logistics efficiency,” said Kevin Marson, Maintenance Manager at Boyes. “With their engineering and manufacturing expertise, Transdek has now delivered a dedicated solution to support the continued redevelopment of our Havers Hill distribution facility that more than meets our current and future needs.
“With the new dock levellers and integrated double deck lift we are now in a position to handle our expanding fleet of double deck trailers, as well as all types of distribution vehicles, much more effectively.”
Phase two of the project, planned for June, will involve Transdek constructing a mezzanine floor extension at the site, which will operate as a modular holding area to provide increased storage facilities. To ensure efficient movement of goods between floor levels, Transdek will also install two of its 2016 specification mezzanine floor lifts. These compact, low maintenance units feature a new ram box design, software updates and improved operator controls as standard.