Specialized Material Handling Solutions

Loading Dock Space Dilemma

A major manufacturer of residential and commercial heating systems faced an unusual problem at their loading docks. Because of the unique configuration of their loading dock, trucks making deliveries to their facilities needed to be unloaded one at a time.

Adding to the complexity of situation was the unique configuration of the entry/exit area which prevented a clear view of the dock along with a Jib Crane system that was continually in motion unloading shipments of 20 foot long copper tubing. Incoming drivers could not easily discern if there was space available for them, creating a significant traffic flow and safety issue, especially if trucks were to proceed while the crane was in operation.

Utilizing their numerous years of experience in material handling, Bode crafted a very creative solution to this unique problem by connecting a traffic light system to a Spanco Jib Crane. Now when the crane was in use, it would trip the red signal on the light system, indicating that it was not safe for on-coming trailers to enter the loading area. When the crane was placed in the stored home position, it would activate the green signal, letting drivers know that it was safe to proceed.

This highly visible and easy to use system provided an elegantly simple solution to ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic into and out of the tight loading/unloading area without having to undergo a significant reconfiguration of the loading area and approach.

Cold Storage for the Biopharmaceutical Industry

A leading supplier of pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science products needed a more durable and efficient means of storing highly perishable biological products for use in their applied research and testing facilities.

A galvanized, first-in first-out pallet flow racking system was identified by the Bode team as being the best solution for the facility’s unique needs.

The steel racking could withstand the constant cold temperatures while the pallet flow system ensured that the oldest materials were utilized first to minimize waste and keep costs at a minimum.

Other Solutions

A Repeat Door Customer

This leading waste-to-energy facility has contracted Bode numerous times to provide installation of innovative material handling and storage solutions. For this project, Bode installed multiple, high speed, rubber doors at the facility with minimal interruption to their operations keeping the nice smelling contents inside the building.

Dock Retrofitting

Retrofitting an existing facility comes with its own unique challenges. For this NH-based brewery, Bode needed to cut into the concrete base of the building to install new dock levelers and restraints.  With decades of expertise in loading dock configuration and installation, the Bode team made quick and accurate work of the modifications to the building, installing the levelers quickly, without need for correction or adjustment.