DOUBLE SHIPPING CAPACITY WITH MODULAR LOADING DOCK PLATFORMS

A commercial furniture manufacturer was landlocked, surrounded by neighbors and a railroad—with no room for expansion.

Dockzilla designed a modular platform with four dock positions to attach to one dock door. This eliminated city code concerns and allowed the company to expand faster without worrying about a full-scale construction project mired by permitting issues.

The company was able to overhaul their operations and yard management plan to do significantly more with the same number of employees.

Results at a Glance:

Turned one dock door into four loading positions
Doubled shipping capacity
Increased efficiency with seamless access to materials
One day install with no permits or city code considerations

The Challenge

dockzilla modular platform loading dock sico

With a building full of product and only a handful of loading doors, a commercial furniture company relied heavily on on-site trailers for storage, which cluttered the lot and required constant trailer maneuvering. This inefficiency slowed down operations, reduced shipping capacity, and tied up valuable resources with menial tasks.

Knowing they needed to evolve to grow, they began exploring options and quickly learned that city code was extremely limiting—any building extension—including a simple concrete pier—would require full enclosure with walls, insulation, heating, cooling, and more. This would triple their estimated costs.

We have to find a solution that’s going to make our shipping and receiving much more efficient.

– Plant Manager

The Solution

TURN ONE DOCK DOOR INTO FOUR LOADING DOCK POSITIONS

Dockzilla’s loading dock engineers helped the customer evaluate the ROI for the executive team, outlining how an engineered, modular loading dock system avoided the pitfalls of permanent construction and offered flexibility for future expansion. While this was initially slated as a CapEx project for the following year, the leadership team said, “we feel this needs to happen right now.”

Modular and Flexible

Dockzilla’s engineered solution, which included two platforms and four dock levelers, can be moved, expanded, reduced or relocated if needs evolve.

Compliant and Cost Effective

The modular design is classified as equipment vs a building expansion. This meant they were no longer held to the city’s requirements for permanent structures.

Engineered for Flexibility

The platform features a solid deck surface that allows small casters to roll smoothly and is forklift-rated for maximum versatility.

Dockzilla gave us way more flexibility, so much more freedom than concrete.

– Plant Manager

The Results

Doubled Shipping Capacity

Converting one door into four docks doubled shipping capacity in one day. “It’s a money maker,” said the Plant Manager. Dockzilla not only met their immediate needs but could be expanded or moved for to accommodate future growth.

Increased Production

The commercial furniture company was able to dedicate separate dock positions for shipping and receiving and on-site storage. This made parts and materials necessary for product assembly easily accessible to boost throughput without adding staff or a second shift.

Bypassed City Roadblocks

When the city shut down initial plans, the customer went back to the drawing board. They discovered that Dockzilla’s modular loading docks benefits over the permanence of concrete. “Dockzilla gave us way more flexibility, so much more freedom than concrete,” said the Plant Manager.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOADING CHALLENGE

Talk with an engineer who will offer a solution. To get started, fill out the form, or call 1.800.637.3036.