A mechanical dock shelter for a loading dock brings in many advantages beyond just the protection of goods from the weather. In fact, in 2023, more than 35% of warehouses reported reduced energy costs and increased thermal efficiency with the installation of mechanical dock shelters. These shelters create a tight seal between the loading dock and the truck, preventing the infiltration of cold or hot air inside the warehouse and maintaining a stable temperature. Energy savings can amount to as high as 15% per year, especially for those living in extreme weather conditions.
UPS and Walmart are some of the companies that have integrated mechanical dock shelters into their facilities to ease their supply chain operations. The shelter contributes to speeding up the loading and unloading process, which reduces the time that trucks have to spend at the dock, translating to fewer delays in operations. In improving the efficiency at the docks, it increases how many shipments one can handle within a given time.
Industry experts have also stated that loading dock solutions must be flexible. A mechanical dock shelter has an adjustable frame that can accommodate different sizes of trucks and various loading dock designs. This assists companies that operate with diverse types of vehicles and unpredictable delivery schedules. For instance, shipping companies often face logistical challenges due to changing truck dimensions. Mechanical dock shelters have been a very feasible solution in such situations.
A well-maintained mechanical dock shelter can be expected to last for anywhere between 10 and 15 years, offering companies a potentially long-term solution to optimize the efficiency at the loading docks. The original cost of such installation, ranging between $2,000 for lower versions to several models above $10,000, usually in custom builds, pays big dividends in the end. For example, companies like FedEx claim to have saved in the maintenance and repair of their loading docks after the introduction of mechanical dock shelters at their facilities.
By increasing safety, energy efficiency, as well as efficiency in operations, mechanical dock shelters present a strong case for modern logistics needs. For more details on mechanical dock shelters, visit mechanical dock shelter.