Parlevliet & Van der Plas increases safety and efficiency with new loading dock

Parlevliet & Van der Plas, a global player in fishing and fish processing, had their five loading docks at the chilled warehouse in IJmuiden renewed by ASSA ABLOY at the end of 2024. The fish processor invested in automatic vehicle locking systems for a safer working situation for employees and drivers. With this upgrade, Parlevliet & Van der Plas can continue to focus on the speed and efficiency needed to remain Western Europe's largest fish processor.

The chilled warehouse in IJmuiden is next to the Kotterkade, where the fish comes out of the ships chilled and packaged. From the warehouse, the fish is further transported in refrigerated containers and trucks. Logistics Manager John Zeijderveld explains: "The loading docks are in continuous use and are an essential part of the business process. We load some 7,000 containers a year here across the five loading docks."

ASSA ABLOY delivered the loading docks in 2012 and has been providing maintenance and repairs for years. The original loading docks with 100 kN levellers no longer met today's requirements. Heavier forklifts increased the load and the high weight of the packages of fish products required stronger levellers. "With the new 150 kN levellers we can go on for years again," Zeijderveld said.

Safety: top priority

"For us, reliability and efficiency are crucial," John explains. "But safety of our people is even more important. Extended forks and new forklifts have increased the weight, thus increasing the risk of trucks crawling away. You don't want a forklift to get between the trailer and the leveller." 

ASSA ABLOY installed five DE6290AR automatic vehicle locking systems that eliminate this risk. When the truck is at the loading dock, the warehouse worker presses the locking button. The locking arm secures the vehicle's wheel and prevents unforeseen movement during loading and unloading. Only when the locking arm is in the correct position can the leveller be operated.

"I am happy that the locking systems are now in use, this risk is now gone," says Zeijderveld. "So far the systems are working well and the employees and drivers are also satisfied with them."

Customized solution

Kevin van der Gulik, Service Account Manager at ASSA ABLOY, explains, "Especially at companies like Parlevliet & Van der Plas, where efficiency and speed are important, security risks are lurking. Now that the security systems are in place, the five loading docks can be used more safely."

ASSA ABLOY tailored the solution to the company's specific needs. The safety system is linked to the leveller instead of the door. "Whereas at other companies the overhead door can only be opened after locking, here we linked the security system to the leveller. That way the employees can still open the door to take pictures of the load," Van der Gulik explains.

Continuous operation: over 400 tons of fish per day

The new dock levellers and safety systems were installed in phases so that work could continue as usual. John stresses the importance of continuous operation: "We load over 400 tons of fish per day. The levellers have to function continuously during this. This also continued during the renewal of the loading docks and the installation of the blocking systems. The renewal of the loading docks went well. Now we are looking further into possible expansions of the loading capacity."

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems makes buildings safer, more efficient and more comfortable with access solutions. We provide industrial doors, high-speed doors, docking systems and related service
and maintenance.