DPD's Forrest Park Distribution Centre benefits from integrated ASSA ABLOY loading solutions

DPD's new distribution centre at Forrest Park, Newton Aycliffe, has been equipped with a comprehensive package of sectional overhead doors and loading bay equipment from ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems. Developed by Barberry, constructed by Caddick Construction and designed by AJA Architects, the state-of-the-art facility benefits from a fully integrated access and loading solution designed to support safe, efficient and high-performance logistics operations.

DPD's new distribution centre at Forrest Park, Newton Aycliffe, has been equipped with a comprehensive package of entrance and loading bay solutions from ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, helping to support the efficiency, safety and operational demands of a modern logistics facility.

The development, delivered by Barberry, with Caddick Construction as main contractor and AJA Architects leading the design, has created a state-of-the-art parcel distribution hub capable of supporting DPD's continued growth across the North East.

As part of the project, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems supplied and installed 32 OH1042P insulated sectional overhead doors to provide secure and reliable access throughout the warehouse. Featuring a vertical lift track arrangement, the doors maximise available internal space while offering the thermal performance and durability required for busy logistics operations.

Twenty-five of the doors were installed as level access entrances, each measuring 6,160mm wide to accommodate vehicle and equipment movements throughout the facility. A further seven doors were supplied with integrated pass doors incorporating low-profile thresholds, panic bars and safety switches, helping to improve pedestrian access while maintaining operational safety. Wind reinforcement trusses were also included to enhance long-term performance.

Alongside the level access doors, ASSA ABLOY delivered 11 complete loading bay systems designed to streamline vehicle loading and unloading activities. Each loading bay features an OH1042P dock door fitted with vision panels to improve visibility around the loading area and support safer operations.

The dock door installations were complemented by ASSA ABLOY DL6220T telescopic dock levellers, providing a 6-tonne load capacity and a 500mm telescopic lip to ensure smooth and efficient vehicle-to-building transitions across a range of trailer types. Finished in standard RAL 5010 blue, the dock levellers were installed alongside dock shelters, dock buffers and wheel guides to create a fully integrated loading environment.

Together, the door and loading bay package delivers a reliable solution that supports efficient goods movement, helps maintain energy performance within the building envelope and enhances operational safety across the site.

As logistics facilities continue to increase in scale and complexity, integrated door and loading bay solutions are becoming increasingly important in supporting throughput, reducing downtime and maintaining safe working environments. The Forrest Park development demonstrates how the right combination of access and loading technologies can contribute to the long-term performance of a modern distribution centre.