The material handling industry's new voluntary standards for portable loading dock equipment (also known as
ANSI Standard MH30.2) improves safety and performance for customers. Spear headed by
Bluff Manufacturing, Inc. in conjunction with the trade association Material Handling Industry of America's (MHIA) Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers (LODEM) group, the initiative outlines mechanical and structural design guidelines along with usage, operation and maintenance standards.
In the past, manufacturers used the same sources for steel and aluminium but that changed when domestic sources disappeared. Replaced by foreign sources with differing standards and qualities; products became vastly different. At that time,
Bluff Manufacturing recognized the need for a standard to ensure safety and empower customers to make better buying decisions about products. In working with the Saginaw Valley State University's Engineering Department,
Bluff Manufacturing created a large hydraulic test stand to stress products and determine handling capacities. "
The results gave us significant insight into our products and what could be improved," stated Clark Smith, President of
Bluff Manufacturing. Upon approval of these new standards by the American National Standards Institute (
ANSI), a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the Unites States voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system,
Bluff Manufacturing set out to conform to these new important standards and hopes other manufacturers will follow. The Company is currently manufacturing and testing all aluminium and steel dock plates and boards to conform to this standard. To date over 90% of the product line (boards and plates) are tested and approved.
Bluff Manufacturing is an innovative leader in the design and fabrication of high quality dock, warehouse and safety equipment. All products are built to the most rigid industry standards, providing customers with the greatest possible value. The Company's yard ramps, dock boards, dock levelers, wheel risers, and safety barrier product
CrashGuard© are available through a national dealer network that have access to eleven regional stocking locations that provide quick delivery.
Headquartered at 9201 South Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas,
Bluff Manufacturing's responsive customer service, knowledgeable sales team and talented engineers are available to assist dealers and customers. For more information about
Bluff Manufacturing visit: www.bluffmanufacturing.com OR
Phone: +1 800 433 2212.
For a copy of the MH30.2 - Portable Dock Levelling Devices: Safety, Performance and Testing Standard visit:
www.mhiastore.org