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For its brand-new Quooker Distribution Center (QDC) in Ridderkerk, Quooker deliberately chose a solution from ASSA ABLOY. The solution consists of Dual Drive overhead doors combined with dock levelers and the Dock-IN system. In addition, ASSA ABLOY supplied machine safety doors for internal logistics.
Quooker wants to use energy efficiently. This is reflected in the design of the new building, which combines office, factory, and logistics center functions. The design is by GROUP A and the implementation of this ambitious project is the responsibility of the general contractor Cordeel.
“Quooker is, of course, a sustainable product. That’s what we’re building on,” says Gert-Jan van der Lugt, Facility Manager at Quooker. “We try to use energy very efficiently. And we want to do the same with this building.”
The building uses geothermal energy, solar panels, and sustainable materials. It is important that the building envelope continues to function properly. That is why the overhead doors close before the dock leveler opens. This keeps the interior as sealed as possible and prevents unwanted air currents.
Quooker was already familiar with ASSA ABLOY from previous projects. “We also had ASSA ABLOY install doors in a recently purchased building—standard overhead doors,” says Van der Lugt. But for this new project, Quooker wanted to take it a step further. The loading docks play a major role in the building’s energy consumption.
Peter van den Berg, Service Account Manager at ASSA ABLOY, took the Quooker team to a Lidl distribution center. The result of the visit? The team knew exactly what type of loading docks they wanted. “This was the first time we also saw that the doors closed completely and that we no longer see any loading docks,” said Van der Lugt.
These fully enclosed loading docks eliminate thermal bridges and unwanted air currents—which is crucial for an energy-efficient building. “A very important consideration was that we continue to monitor the building’s thermal envelope,” Van der Lugt emphasizes. Smart loading dock solutions make this possible. Every second a door remains open results in energy loss. Every door opened unnecessarily disrupts climate control.
“For the 15 new loading docks, we are installing the latest load levelers (DL6220T Leveller), dock doors (Crawford OH1142P Overhead Door), shelters, and wheel guards. The doors are equipped with a connection to Insight, and Quooker also opted for the Dock-In system. “Dock-In uses sensors to ensure that the doors can only be opened when a truck is in front of the loading dock,” explains José de Ruijter-Luken of ASSA ABLOY.
“These doors open and close 25% faster than a standard overhead door. As a result, less heat or cold escapes from the building. And ultimately, that simply saves you energy.”
The principle is simple but effective: the shorter the time a door is left open, the less energy is lost. In a logistics center where trucks are loading and unloading all day long, those seconds determine whether a building saves energy or wastes it.
The distribution center uses automated systems. ASSA ABLOY supplied machine safety doors for elevators, conveyor lines, and packaging systems, among other applications. These doors ensure that processes continue to run safely and that the intralogistics environment complies with applicable standards.
That flexibility is crucial in the construction industry. Schedules shift, deliveries are delayed, and other tasks take longer than expected. By responding flexibly to minor changes in the schedule at the construction site, ASSA ABLOY can ensure that the various components of the loading docks are installed at the right times.
“Our collaboration with ASSA ABLOY is going very well,” Van der Lugt confirms. “There are occasional changes to the schedule here and there, but we’ve never heard that this has caused any difficulties.”
Sustainability and smart logistics are central to the design. With this move, Quooker is investing in the future of the Dutch manufacturing industry. Quooker is moving to a larger site but will remain in Ridderkerk. “Creating a beautiful and pleasant building that people will come to love and treat with care—that is perhaps the most important aspect of sustainable construction.’
ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems is proud to contribute to a building that operates efficiently and safely in practice through its loading dock solutions and machine safety doors.
We help you facilitate an efficient flow of goods and people with comfortable, sustainable, safe, and innovative access solutions so that you can experience a more open world.
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