Polymer Landing Plates and HGV Dock Wheel Guides for Safer Vehicle Positioning
Brandsafe recently supplied and installed a targeted loading bay protection package at a large distribution centre in Minworth.
The project focused on two common loading bay challenges. The first was repeated damage to the concrete beneath trailer landing legs. The second was the need to help drivers position HGVs accurately when reversing towards the bays.
To address these risks, the Brandsafe team installed yellow polymer HGV Landing Plates and HGV Dock Wheel Guides across the required loading areas.
Together, the products provide a practical solution for the loading bay. They help protect the surface and support more consistent vehicle positioning. They also improve the visibility of key guidance points around the bays.
Project Overview
Brandsafe supplied and installed a targeted loading bay protection package at Great Bear Distribution’s Minworth facility, part of Culina Group’s nationwide logistics network. Great Bear is a leading UK ambient 3PL, providing warehousing and distribution services for FMCG customers across the country.
The Minworth site experiences regular HGV and trailer movements across its loading bays. Repeated pressure from trailer landing legs presented a risk of wear and localised concrete damage. Drivers also needed clear physical guidance when reversing into position.
To address these requirements, Brandsafe installed yellow polymer HGV Landing Plates beneath the designated trailer landing-leg positions. Yellow HGV Dock Wheel Guides were also installed along the bay approaches to support more accurate vehicle alignment and help reduce the risk of trailers encroaching into neighbouring bays.
Together, the two systems created a practical loading bay solution. The completed system helps protect vulnerable surfaces and guide vehicle movements. It also integrates with the facility’s existing operations and loading bay safety features.
Project Details
End client: Great Bear Distribution, part of Culina Group
Location: Minworth, Birmingham
Sector: Distribution and logistics
Service: Supply and installation
Products installed: Yellow Polymer HGV Landing Plates and Yellow HGV Dock Wheel Guides
Understanding the Loading Bay Risks
Loading bays are some of the busiest areas within a warehouse or distribution centre.
HGVs arrive, reverse into position, unload and leave throughout the working day. This repeated movement places pressure on the surrounding infrastructure, particularly the concrete beneath trailer landing legs and the areas used by drivers to align their vehicles.
When a trailer is uncoupled, its landing legs transfer a concentrated load onto the surface below. Over time, repeated contact in the same area can contribute to cracking, surface wear and localised damage.
This can lead to ongoing repair requirements and create an uneven working surface around an important operational area.
Vehicle alignment presented another consideration.
Drivers need to reverse into the correct position so trailers line up with the loading bay safely and efficiently. Poor alignment can increase the risk of contact with nearby infrastructure or cause vehicles to encroach into neighbouring bays.
The customer therefore required a solution that would both protect the loading area and provide clear physical guidance for approaching HGVs.
Protecting the Surface with HGV Landing Plates
Brandsafe installed yellow polymer HGV Landing Plates in the designated areas beneath the trailer landing legs.
The plates create a clearly defined contact area for the trailer supports, helping distribute the load across the surface and reduce direct wear to the concrete below.
Their bright yellow finish also makes the correct landing position easier to identify when trailers are being manoeuvred and uncoupled.
The completed project photographs show the plates in active use. HGV trailer landing legs are positioned directly on the protected surfaces. This shows how the products fit into day-to-day loading bay operations without changing the normal process.
Rather than waiting for repeated contact to cause significant floor damage, the landing plates provide a proactive layer of protection in the areas most likely to experience concentrated loading.
They also create a more consistent and organised appearance across the loading bays, clearly identifying where trailer legs should be positioned.
Supporting Vehicle Alignment with HGV Dock Wheel Guides
Yellow HGV Dock Wheel Guides were also installed to support vehicle positioning as drivers reverse towards the loading bays.
The guides provide a clear physical reference during the final stages of reversing. They help drivers align trailers with the bay and support more consistent positioning. This can reduce the risk of trailers moving too close to neighbouring bays or nearby building fabric.
Correct alignment is important for several reasons.
It helps the trailer approach the bay in the intended position. This can reduce unnecessary steering corrections. It can also support smoother loading operations. It can also help protect nearby structures by discouraging vehicles from drifting away from the designated route.
The yellow finish provides a strong visual contrast against the surrounding yard surface, making the guides easier to identify during vehicle movements.
Used alongside the HGV Landing Plates, the wheel guides form part of a coordinated approach to loading bay safety. One system supports vehicle alignment, while the other protects the surface once the trailer has been positioned and its landing legs deployed.
Selecting the Right Protection for Each Risk
This project demonstrates that loading bay safety is rarely addressed by one product alone.
The HGV Dock Wheel Guides help manage the vehicle’s approach and final positioning. The HGV Landing Plates then protect the floor at the points where concentrated trailer loads are applied.
Each product performs a different role, but together they create a more complete solution for the loading area. Other Brandsafe products can complement this type of solution. For example, Armco barriers protect longer yard perimeters and vulnerable infrastructure.
The installation was designed around the way the site operates. It supports normal HGV movements while providing additional protection for the loading bay surface and clearer guidance for drivers.
This targeted approach allowed the customer to improve specific risk areas without unnecessarily changing the wider yard layout.
A Coordinated Brandsafe Project
The successful delivery of the project involved collaboration across the Brandsafe team.
From the initial enquiry and product recommendations through to planning, operations and installation, each stage was coordinated to ensure the selected systems were suitable for the loading bay requirements.
The completed installation provides a strong example of practical protection being applied exactly where it is needed.
The yellow HGV Landing Plates protect the surface beneath trailer landing legs. The HGV Dock Wheel Guides help drivers approach and align with the loading bays. Together, they support safer and more organised vehicle movements across a demanding distribution environment.
Project Outcomes
The completed loading bay protection package helped the customer:
- Support the long-term maintenance of critical operational areas
- Reduce direct wear beneath HGV trailer landing legs
- Protect vulnerable loading bay floor areas
- Provide drivers with clearer vehicle alignment guidance
- Reduce the risk of HGVs encroaching into neighbouring bays
- Improve visibility around key loading bay positions
- Create a more consistent and organised loading environment
Supporting Safer Loading Bay Operations
Loading bays are essential to the operation of warehouses and distribution centres, but repeated heavy vehicle movement can create ongoing risks for floors, structures and neighbouring bays.
Well-positioned protection systems can help manage these risks without disrupting the way the area is used.
This Minworth project shows how HGV Landing Plates and HGV Dock Wheel Guides can protect loading bay infrastructure. They also support more accurate vehicle positioning.
Planning a loading bay safety upgrade or reviewing protection across a warehouse or distribution facility?
Speak to the Brandsafe team about practical solutions designed around your loading areas, vehicle movements and operational requirements.
Creating a Complete Traffic Safety Management Solution
HGV Landing Plates and Dock Wheel Guides address important risks at the loading bay itself, but they can also form part of a wider traffic safety management solution across the yard.
Wheel stops help define parking positions and prevent vehicles from travelling beyond designated bays. Speed bumps introduced along approach routes to encourage lower vehicle speeds before drivers reach loading, parking or pedestrian areas.
Heavy-duty bollards provide targeted protection around exposed corners, doorways, electrical equipment and other vulnerable infrastructure. Where longer runs of protection are required, Armco barriers create a strong physical boundary between moving vehicles and buildings, pedestrian routes or critical assets.
Used together, these systems support each stage of vehicle movement across the site:
- Speed bumps help manage vehicle speeds on approach
- Wheel guides support accurate alignment when reversing
- Landing plates protect surfaces beneath trailer landing legs
- Wheel stops help define parking and stopping positions
- Bollards protect isolated assets and vulnerable corners
- Armco barriers safeguard longer perimeters and infrastructure
Each product should be selected for the specific risk and location. Together, these systems improve vehicle guidance and protect infrastructure. They also support safer traffic management throughout the yard.
This wider approach ensures loading bay protection is not treated in isolation. Instead, it becomes part of a complete traffic safety strategy designed around how HGVs, site vehicles and pedestrians move through the facility.
Work with Brandsafe
We provide complete impact protection solutions for warehouses, distribution centres and industrial facilities. From site surveys and product specification to supply and installation, our team can help identify risks and develop a coordinated protection package for your operation.
Speak to Brandsafe about your next project and discover how our impact protection expertise can help protect people, buildings, equipment and critical infrastructure.
