Loading Bay Lift Replacement for UK Discount Supermarket

A well-known British supermarket were looking for a new loading bay lift that could replace an existing loading bay lift in one of their busy stores.

The existing loading bay lift was approaching 20 years old and had become increasingly unreliable, suffering from frequent faults and breakdowns that were seriously affecting store productivity and daily deliveries.

A key requirement of the project was that the new loading bay lift had to fit precisely through the existing access door and into the existing pit, eliminating the need for costly building alterations. The entire changeover also needed to be completed within a very short window between scheduled store deliveries to minimise disruption to operations.

Following the store’s early morning delivery on day one, the existing lift was decommissioned and removed using a lorry-mounted crane. The new bespoke lift was then carefully lowered into position within the existing pit, allowing the store to be fully secured again that same evening.

On day two, the new loading bay lift was commissioned, fully tested, and handed back to the store in time for the next scheduled delivery operation.

One of the major technical challenges involved replicating the handrail gaps and other features with absolute accuracy to ensure the loading bay sectional door could close correctly onto the lift platform. The project also required the installation of interlocks between the lift and door control systems to ensure safe and reliable operation.

To guarantee a perfect fit, our project and design teams worked closely together throughout the process. In addition to the initial site survey, two further site visits were carried out to verify all critical dimensions before manufacturing commenced. This careful planning ensured a smooth and efficient installation while significantly reducing downtime for the store.

With a new loading bay lift installed, the supermarket now has a reliable solution that will last for many years. The new, improved features provide increased safety and reliability.

By adhering to the tight schedule, the supermarket was able to operate as usual.
The supermarket was very happy with our planning and implementation skills.