Food and beverage manufactures and distributors rely on maintaining cleanliness, environmental control and a tight seal at the dock to survive in an extremely competitive market. These operations often run multiple shifts with tremendously high loading cycles and require equipment that can stand up to the increased concerns focused on food-borne illnesses, allergens and contamination.
And now that the focus on food safety is more about prevention than reaction, supply chain managers need to look carefully at the products they utilize everyday for their loading dock operations. One of the best ways facilities can prevent food related contamination is to use the proper dock equipment, which can increase both safety and performance. And while most contamination takes place inside a facility, the best place to start prevention is outside the facility on the loading dock.
Vehicle Restraints. One of the ways to prevent food related contamination starts by using a vehicle restraint system that is designed to prevent a trailer from moving away from the warehouse loading dock. This premature departure breaks a tight seal which opens up a facility to gaps along the dock door and leveler where unwanted dirt, debris and pests can enter.
Available in both mechanical and powered models, the unique technology, minimal maintenance and easy operation offered by our full line of vehicle restraints helps prevent this early departure to assist in maintaining a tight seal on the dock.
Dock Levelers. The dock leveler is the main piece of equipment that connects the inside of a facility or warehouse to the back of the trailer. Utilizing a dock leveler that provides a tight seal and helps operations in sustaining a clean, efficient warehouse environment is more important than ever. Vertical Storing Dock Levelers and Air-Powered Dock Levelers are unequalled in the industry for environmental control.
Vertical Storing Dock Levelers mount directly to the loading dock floor and work in conjunction with insulated dock doors to prevent food contamination by allowing the door to be closed flush to the floor. Unlike conventional pit-style dock levelers, they eliminate the air and light infiltration around the leveler reducing the threat of spoilage and contamination.
Air-Powered Dock Levelers deliver safe, powered performance on the dock. All air-powered series dock levelers are built with an open frame, clean pit design to provide easy access to the pit floor for cleaning and scheduled maintenance.
Perimeter Seal. ENERGY GUARD™ provides a superior perimeter seal along the sides and rear of the dock leveler and blocks dirt, debris, insects and pests from entering the facility. The innovative design closes off the gaps between the dock leveler and concrete pit walls – typically missed by traditional weather seal or under-leveler seals attached to the front of the dock leveler.
Dock Seals and Shelters. These products have been shown to have a significant positive impact when transporting perishable food items since they help maintain the quality of products in between loading and unloading thanks to the tight seal they provide. Dock Seals and Shelters provide an effective barrier against the elements, keeping loading docks safe and efficient. They provide a positive seal between internal and external environments which keeps pests on the outside and a clean facility on the inside.
Dock Doors. Most dock doors are standard equipment that do not provide many benefits, other than theft deterrence. TKO® Dock Doors provide more than just theft deterrence, they offer a full line of specialty and impactable dock doors designed to provide a superior seal.
There has been more attention recently on the dock door’s ability to seal the opening in food and beverage based operations. Doors equipped with a thick foam panel and compression bottom seal provide high quality thermal protection to preserve the warehouse’s temperature and also keep extreme weather and debris out. This helps maintain the integrity of perishable items and shields employees from weather conditions outside.
Equipping your food and beverage manufacturing or distribution facility with the right equipment to help prevent concerns about food-borne illnesses, allergens and contamination has never been more important as our nation’s food supply demands continue to grow. For more information about these solutions, visit tkodoors.com.