Hörmann has completed an integrated installation for the Royal Mail at their new distribution centre at Swan Valley Northampton.

Working closely with the main contractor Winvic, Hörmann have project managed the installation of 23 loading bays with heavy duty dock levellers, dock shelters, sectional insulated loading bay doors, high speed bi-parting doors and high security doors.

The high specification of the build required the attention to detail Hörmann are recognised for. Non standard high specification dock levellers and dock shelters were engineered for the project.

Additional detail included fully integrated composite control panels for the leveller, shelter, traffic and loading lights that are linked together so that only one isolator switch is required per bay. High quality lockable shoot bolts with an integrated micro switch isolate each door when engaged and fluorescent swivel lighting is installed instead of the traditional spotlight, to give a broader flood of light into the vehicle being unloaded.


Tom Langley, Project Director at Hörmann took personal charge of the build. He said: "We believe that our project managers have to get on site and work with the contractors to ensure maximum efficiency and identify these key details. We maintain our competitive prices by ensuring that we engineer the right products and that they integrate efficiently to get the installation right first time. High quality and efficiency are the keys to our success."

Dave Ward, Operations Director for Winvic construction appreciates the way Hörmann work. "We have worked with Hörmann for a number of years and the fact that we deal with Hörmann on site and not a contractor is a major advantage. We feel that they work with us to develop the right solutions for our clients."

In more detail the heavy duty 8000Kg rated load dock levellers include a custom 600mm telescopic lip while the dock shelters feature an inflatable head, with standard curtain sides, to accommodate the wide range of vehicles operated by the Royal mail.

The Bi-Parting high speed doors, linked to card access readers, are combined with Sectional insulated doors in four level access bays. This arrangement allows smaller vehicles to be unloaded in the building, ensures a speedy flow of traffic and minimises heat loss.