Running your loading dock with inefficiencies can lead to a whole host of problems; shipment delays, accidents, product damage and even injuries. Inefficiencies can also cut down on performance opening up the door to late or lost shipments and unsatisfied customers. Making just small adjustments to your yard, loading dock and warehouse operations can make a world of difference in the efficiency and productivity you will experience from your logistics.
Start outside of the dock and warehouse. Installing a 4SIGHT™ Yard Management System is a good place to start to increase the visibility of your supply chain, allowing you to make educated decisions on how to best optimize your logistics. From the moment a trailer enters your yard to the time it leaves, 4SIGHT lets you know where exactly a trailer is, what’s on it, where it needs to be and how to get it there as efficiently as possible.
Ensure the most efficient sequence. Equipment on the loading dock such as vehicle restraints, overhead dock doors and dock levelers should operate in an appropriate sequence to make sure they are as safe and efficient as possible. A Serco® Master Control Panel interlocks all controls with sensors to ensure the proper sequence of equipment engagement. This allows maximum efficiencies, safety and minimizes downtime that can result from improper equipment sequencing.
Invest in the most standup leveler available. Vertical storing dock levelers increase efficiencies at the loading dock by eliminating the additional steps drivers must take with more traditional levelers. The Serco Vertical Storing Dock Leveler allows the driver to simply back the trailer up to the door and let the dock employee do all the rest with their integrated master controls.
In addition, companies in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries and a growing number of other operations are seeking to sustain a clean, energy-efficient warehouse environment. That’s why thousands count on our Vertical Storing Leveler for unequalled environmental control along with safe, secure performance, day after day and efficiency.
Lighten up on the loading dock. Lighting on the dock and inside trailers will help increase dock productivity. High Impact LED™ Dock Lights from APS Resource® will save your energy and provide better lighting quality than traditional bulbs making your dock safer for employees to maneuver loads thus increasing your productivity. With an average 50,000 hour life span per bulb, you will also find yourself stopping to replace bulbs during loading or unloading shipments.
Comfort that is second-to-none. Employees that are comfortable in the work place tend to be more productive than those who are not. Serco VELOCITY™ HVLS warehouse fans can deliver a perceived 7 to 11 degree temperature reduction making working conditions cooler and more comfortable in the hot summer months without adding stress to your HVAC system.
With rising logistics cost affecting nearly every industry across the U.S. and even internationally, companies now, more than ever must find ways to safety and effectively do more with less. For more information on these best-in-class, efficient loading dock solutions visit, sercocompany.com.
Let’s face it, we all worry about the impact threats such as weather, theft and even fire can have not only on our homes and personal possessions but also at the workplace. Which is why most people carry some form of insurance on their valuables, but here’s a little assurance from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for your fans and a little peace of mind.
Based on extensive testing recently conducted by the NFPA’s Research Foundation, guidelines for the installation and use of High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) Fans in facilities with Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) automatic sprinklers have been established. With a vote of confidence, tests concluded that HVLS warehouse fans, without additional fire, smoke or heat detecting equipment did not prevent sprinkler systems from meeting the “pass criteria” established for the tests and approval process
The pass criteria were determined after the two-part study analyzing the impact HVLS warehouse fans had on automatic sprinkler systems in terms of protecting stored commodities. The study was sponsored and conducted by an oversight committee of HVLS fan industry experts, facility consultants, risk management companies and members of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).
These tests are great news for HVLS fan users and potential users and the safety of their warehouse and overhead loading dock doors. But what about more stringent local fire marshals and the fire codes? What if they mandate the HVLS fans automatically shut down when sprinklers are activated from a fire alarm? Is there an automated system to control HVLS warehouse fans shut down from a central location?
Of course there is a solution, and Serco® has taken its almost 60 years of experience as the leader in the movement of materials over to advancing the efficient movement of air with iFAN™. iFAN may not be able to help prevent fires but it can certainly assist fire suppression and fire code compliance. iFAN’s intelligent software controls all fans from a single, centralized location and even has the ability to interconnect with fire suppression systems to immediately shut fans down when a fire alarm is triggered.
This integrated connection design allows power to the fans to be immediately interrupting the signal to the iFan which will shut the fans within 90 seconds. In addition to sprinkler activation, iFAN can integrate with smoke detection devices and heat detection devices to achieve automatic fan shutdown.
If you’re looking for the peace of mind and assurance afforded by iFAN for your HVLS warehouse fans, please visit the Serco HVLS warehouse fan website. iFAN, it’s a winning combination of fan safety and fan efficiency.
If your facility is like most, the loading dock area is a dynamic place with a flurry of moving parts, all of which create the potential to see your hard earned dollars sneak through the gaps of the building’s perimeter. And, with energy efficiency and sustainability among some of the hottest topics on companies’ priority lists, TKO® Dock Doors and Serco® offer the perfect combination to “load up” on energy savings at your loading dock this year. 
Combining a VertiCool™ overhead dock door with a Serco vertical storing dock leveler helps maximize thermal efficiency while minimizing your energy costs.
Serco’s vertical storing dock leveler contributes to environmental efficiency with its unique design. Because it stores upright instead of down in a concrete pit, a vertical dock leveler provides the opportunity for an overhead dock door to close tightly against the facility floor without the energy robbing gaps between the concrete floor and a traditional pit mounted dock leveler, thus providing a more effective seal.
Serco vertical levelers also have unique features that can contribute directly to energy savings:
- The patented, hinged bottom draft pad seals the underside of the leveler while in use on a trailer.
- Vertical leveler applications can be designed to allow trailer doors to open into the facility after the trailer is docked, preventing energy from escaping the facility through an open door.
VertiCool by TKO is the material handling industry’s first overhead dock door designed specifically for use with a vertical storing dock leveler and offers superior energy efficiency compared to standard sectional doors. And here are a few reasons why this door is a thermal all-star:
- 4” thick closed cell XEPS foam panel provides an R-23 rating for superior thermal protection.
- 48” high panels cut the number of panel joints in half ensuring a better sealing door.
- Polymer track wrapped with energy reflective foil fabric.
- Dual compression bottom seal provides increased insulation for the elements.
Still not sure if this pair is the winning combination to help you load up on savings at the dock? See for yourself the difference they can make on your bottom line by scheduling your FREE Energy Efficiency Analysis. Our experts will show you exactly where your money is leaking out, and how VertiCool by TKO and a Serco vertical storing dock leveler can stop cracks dead in their tracks.
Large industrial HVLS fans are a great addition to any warehouse setting. They move air more efficiently and keep your employees comfortable, but if you're like a lot of companies and have 10, 20 or 30 plus fans, keeping up with all those settings can be a real chore! iFAN™ takes you out of the business of policing fans and puts you back in the business of doing what you do best (whatever that might be).
iFAN, the latest product offering from Serco®, lets you to network multiple HVLS warehouse fans and control them from a single, centralized location. The science behind this unique industrial networked fan control system is our proprietary 4SIGHT™ software. Let iFAN do all the work, while you sit back and receive the maximum levels of performance and savings from your HVLS warehouse fans. 
Integration of an iFAN system can accommodate up to 30 or depending on the application even more HVLS warehouse fans, providing employee comfort and efficiency year around. And studies suggest comfortable employees tend to be more productive employees….go figure. The fans are networked by a cool all-in-one touch screen computer with custom graphic displays of the facility and fan locations.
This screen allows you easily make adjustments to individual fans, fans in predetermined zones or every fan in the facility, all from the comfort of your office chair. iFAN incorporates smart technology, and who wants to work harder when you can simply work smarter? Without breaking a sweat, navigation buttons can turn fans on or off, control temperature and timer settings, display instruction manuals and even shut down fans when an fire alarm is triggered.
iFAN makes sure that operational and energy savings goals for your HVLS warehouse fans are realized, while you take all the credit. The system displays a variety of unique metrics for each fan, zone and entire facility which can be archived and reviewed later for trend analysis ensuring you’re in the know to make decisions about optimizing your fan’s performance.
Some of the features and capabilities iFAN provides go above and beyond and can really make your head (and fans) spin!
- Centralized controls restrict access to only authorized users ensuring employees are not changing settings.
- Need a bigger facility with more HVLS fans? No worries, iFAN allows for more fans to be integrated into an existing system as a result of facility expansion.
- All iFAN controls are tailored to your specific application needs.
- Troubleshooting can quickly identify operational issues and provide options for resolution.
For more information on how iFAN can help optimize the performance of your Serco HVLS warehouse fans visit, http://serco.4frontes.com/Products/HVLSFans/SercoiFAN.aspx.
It's been an exceptionally hot summer this year. From Texas to Toronto, everyone has been dealing with high temperatures (not to mention, high energy bills). If you work in a warehouse or distribution center, you're facing the challenge of keeping a building with tens or hundreds of thousands of square feet at a normal temperature. So what's the best way to keep that conditioned air inside your facility?
If you don't have vertical storing dock levelers at your loading dock, the seal on your building could be compromised without you even knowing it. But installing vertical dock levelers can be cost-prohibitive, especially if you've got pit style dock levelers that work just fine.
Here's the problem, though: air tends to escape around a pit style dock leveler, especially between the concrete wall and the leveler itself. It mixes with the warmer air outside, making the space around your loading dock quite a few degrees warmer than the rest of your facility. This can cause your HVAC systems to work harder, driving up energy bills. And if you have a loading dock with multiple positions, this could be a major energy issue.
Having dock leveler seals installed, whether on new equipment or existing pit style dock levelers, is a great way for you to regulate temperatures at the loading dock. Dock leveler seals like ENERGY GUARD close off the gaps between the dock leveler and the concrete pit walls - spaces that are typically missed by traditional weather seal or under leveler seals.
Here's a video that explains how ENERGY GUARD works, and how it can make a difference at your facility:
Regulating temperatures at a loading dock or warehouse can be a challenge, but thankfully there are products on the market today that make it a little easier for you to control your energy consumption and HVAC bills. If you have questions or other thoughts about saving energy in your warehouse, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
There has been a lot of talk lately about rail and intermodal transportation and how it can make a difference in the material handling industry. The combination of gas prices, stricter government regulations and environmental awareness are causing manufacturers to turn to rail as a viable and cost-effective solution for transporting their goods. This article from Food Logistics Magazine outlines many of the benefits of using rail to transport goods, including:
- Substantial cost savings
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Reliability
- Increased highway safety
And, as Union Pacific knows, rail is a great (and pretty cool) way to get produce across the United States:
If you're using rail or intermodal systems to transport goods, you'll need some specialized material handling equipment for this unique type of loading dock. Here is some dock equipment designed specifically for the rail industry.
- Vertical Rail Leveler: Hydraulic rail levelers are designed to get products on and off trains as efficiently as possible. Since it's impossible to get a train to stop on a dime, these levelers offer the same benefits as a vertical storing dock leveler, but can move laterally to accomodate rail cars.
- Rail Shelters: Rail shelters help protect products from the elements as they're being loaded and unloaded from rail cars. Rail shelters are especially important in cold storage facilities, where proper temperature control can mean the difference between delivering a fresh product and a spoiled one.
North America's rail system has been around for a long time, which may make it seem antiquated. However, when it comes to material handling, using an intermodal transportation system that includes rail can help your company save a substantial amount of money. Just make sure you have a good setup at your rail dock to handle your goods and get them on their way.
If you work at a loading dock, you’ve probably heard of phrases like Trailer Creep, Trailer Walk and Premature Departure. All of these can lead to costly accidents. A solution to these issues is vehicle restraints. But which kind is right for your dock? Traditional rubber wheel chocks aren’t as effective, and trailers can still creep or move – or even roll over the chock if enough pressure is exerted. Another option is adding restraints that secure a trailer’s Rear Impact Guard. But what about the trailers that have damaged Rear Impact Guards? What about trailers with lift gates or other obstructions that get between the vehicle restraint and RIG?
There are a few different options out there when it comes to wheel restraints. These include:
- Powered wheel restraints that use push-button activation, like the Safety-Chock. These will secure any type of vehicle, and can be interlocked and sequenced with your other loading dock equipment, like dock levelers and doors.
- Low-profile wheel restraints like the Universal Truck-Chock. These wheel restraints are installed in-ground, providing the ability to clear snow and debris around the loading dock area, yet still effectively restrain all types of vehicles. These restraints are ideal for northern climates that see a lot of snow in the winter.
- Manual wheel restraints like the Manual Safety-Chock. These are a more cost-effective solution for facilities, but are still easy to operate and keep your workers safe. A good manual wheel restraint will avoid chock pinch, and will be ergonomically-friendly for your workers.
Warehouse safety is a huge part of a company’s operation, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your workers should be able to safely unload and load any type of vehicle that pulls up to the dock, regardless of whether it has a lift gate or a Rear Impact Guard. Having a wheel restraint will help them do just that.
If you work in a large building with open spaces, you’re probably all too aware of how much damage moisture can cause. From moisture buildup on the floors to dampness on product packages, it seems as though a little moisture can wreak a lot of havoc. Aside from adding traditional dehumidifiers and other expensive equipment, how can you protect products in your facility from the damage caused by excessive moisture?
Most moisture enters the building through the ventilation system and small gaps in the building’s structure. In humid climates, moisture is an especially prevalent problem. So, where do you look to in order to solve this problem? Try looking up.
You may have read that High Volume Low Speed fans are great for controlling temperatures in buildings like warehouses, distribution centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing plants and cold storage facilities. But did you also know that they can help reduce or eliminate moisture in your building? In fact, some facilities have installed HVLS fans for that very purpose.
So how does it work? When the large fan is running, the fan blade creates a large column of air that drops directly down from the fan, and moves along the floor in every direction. The horizontal floor jet creates a breeze that helps cool workers. The way it does this is by breaking up the moisture barrier on skin, creating a cooling sensation. Well, if it’s breaking up the moisture barrier on a person’s skin, it can also break up the moisture barrier on floors, pallets, packages, and anything else it hits.
For warehouses that don’t use racking systems, the use of HVLS technology as a ventilation fan can be a crucial money saver. Packages that suffer from moisture absorption can lose their integrity, and if the packages are stacked on top of each other, it could cause them to collapse. Many facilities suffer from thousands, if not millions, of dollars worth of damage due to moisture. An HVLS fan can also reduce the moisture on floors, helping to prevent dangerous slips and falls. If there’s moisture outside the loading dock, forklifts can track that into the warehouse, causing wet floors as well. HVLS fans can help prevent forklift accidents due to moisture on those floors.
So, if moisture is a problem in your warehouse, and you’re looking for an energy-efficient way to prevent product damage and worker injuries, install some big fans in your facility. If you have more questions about how
HVLS fans can help make your warehouse more productive, safe, and energy efficient, give us a call, and we’ll send one of our experts to assess your facility and provide a warehouse solution that will keep your building nice and dry.