Why High Speed Door Upgrades Are The Easiest Quick Win For Warehouse Efficiency
When warehouse managers look to improve warehouse efficiency, thoughts usually turn to software, racking systems or staffing models. Doors don’t often come up, but the doors should also be a key warehouse upgrade consideration too.
A slow, outdated industrial door creates friction in the logistics chain with delayed vehicle movements, leaking conditioned air, unnecessary wear and safety risks that accumulate. High speed door upgrades bring many efficiencies in one simple change and the return on investment can be quickly evidenced.
The Costs Of A Slow Door
A traditional roller shutter or overhead sectional door opens much slower than a modern high speed door model. Multiply the seconds lost per cycle and the cumulative delay becomes significant. Waiting at a door adds to fuel consumption, handling times and creates waiting traffic in loading areas.
For a single slow door, each opening cycle can result in heat and cold loss that can impact your heating or cooling system as well as increased contamination and unwanted access to secure areas. Buildings fitted with well insulated, high speed doors can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 50% annually.
What A High Speed Door Upgrade Can Deliver
Upgrading to an EFAFLEX high speed door (spiral, fabric or Next Generation) changes operations in several areas:
- Faster throughput - opening times up to 5 metres per second
- Lower energy use - up to 50% saving compared with older doors
- Safer environment - automatic opening methods via sensors, lasers or scanners
- Effective temperature & air quality control
- Zone separation & hygiene for deep freeze areas & cleanrooms
- Durability - up to 500,000 operating cycles per year
- Long service life & minimal downtime
- Compliance to safety standards
Door Upgrades Are Simple To Implement
One reason why high speed door upgrades can fall down the priority list is the assumption that they involve significant disruption of downtime. However in practice, a like for like replacement is a contained project. EFAFLEX takes care of the full process including survey, design, installation and commissioning so often there is no need to coordinate multiple contractors.
An upgrade also brings in smarter automation. Our latest door models integrate with a range of activation methods and can be monitored remotely, giving facilities teams real time remote fault diagnosis.
Choosing The Right High Speed Warehouse Door
EFAFLEX offers three core product families to suit different warehouses:
- Spiral doors - 5 m/s & thermal performance ideal for exterior & interior use
- Fabric doors - 2 m/s & cost-effective - suited to internal use with temperature control
- Next Generation doors - advanced technology with modular design, quiet operation & high insulation
Each door is made to measure and bespoke to your operational requirements, so that your door fits perfectly and to the correct specification.
The Total Cost Of Ownership
When you upgrade a door, the purchase price is important. But when you take into account energy savings, reduced maintenance, lower downtime and longer service, the total cost of ownership of an EFAFLEX high speed door compares very favourably with cheaper alternatives that often need more frequent servicing or are not as durable.
If you are looking for a single warehouse door upgrade that improves throughput, cuts energy costs and makes your facility safer, our high speed door range is worth specifying. Book a site survey or get in touch with our specialist team to find out more.
