‘Our employees are our greatest asset’
In today's fast-paced world, intact logistics are the basis for a functioning economy. The heart of logistics is the warehouse. With smart product developments and customer solutions, excellent service and a globally unique innovation, mydocking helps to ensure that the loading of lorries runs smoothly and safely.
mydocking was founded in 2008 under the name docking Solution und Service GmbH as a wholly owned subsidiary of Novoferm - one of the largest suppliers of garage door openers and industrial door control systems in Europe. In the course of this, the loading technology division was completely reorganised. ‘We have redesigned all products from scratch by adding a certain customer benefit to them. We have the components produced especially for us at selected locations,’ says Michael Menzel, Managing Director of mydocking.
Small team - great success
The company employs 20 people who develop, procure and market the products worldwide.
Turnover amounts to around EUR 30 million. The components are produced in Romania and in a Polish plant belonging to the Novoferm Group. The product range includes dock levellers, dock levellers, dock shelters and dock leveller buffers and systems.
Unique in Europe
mydocking sets itself apart from the competition with a patented energy-saving function, among other things. In addition, spare parts for competitor products are also offered in the web shop. ‘Thanks to our many years of experience in development, we have virtually become a third-party provider alongside the established brands in the specialised trade. Generally speaking, specialist retailers are supplied with very few spare parts by the manufacturer because they would like to take over the service themselves. In addition, we have numerous universal solutions in our range so that we can cover various brands with our product. We have been guaranteeing our customers delivery within 24 hours for many years. Thanks to this unique selling point, we have made a name for ourselves throughout Europe,’ adds the Managing Director.
Top success through unique products
The mydocking team has developed control units that cover the entire loading bay. For example, the worker is guided by LED lights. In addition, all systems can be retracted at the touch of a button. ‘The dock leveller goes into the idle position, the traffic light is switched and the sectional door is both closed and locked at the same time. Our patented dock levellers with a telescopic lip close the gap between the loading area of the lorry and the loading ramp. We have developed a function in which the telescopic lip follows the lorry, so to speak. This is a world first that will soon be on the market,’ adds Michael Menzel. All control units can be programmed via an app, networked with each other and transported in any system - including those from other manufacturers.
Special corporate culture
The key to mydocking's success lies in teamwork. ‘Teamwork is not just an empty phrase, but something we live by. We organise many events together. For example, we recently had a family day where we brought our relatives along. Our employees are our greatest asset. We spend so much time together here that work has to be fun. We have virtually no staff turnover - if you start here, you stay,’ smiles the Managing Director. The company also attaches great importance to in-house training. ‘Many of our successful employees are former trainees - who we also train further. We do have some older, experienced employees, but the average age is under 40.’
Pioneer in the Group when it comes to digitalisation
mydocking has really pushed ahead with digitalisation in the coronavirus era. ‘We hardly have any paper at all, we are connected to other companies in such a way that orders no longer have to be written. Instead, the data is sent automatically so that invoices are no longer necessary. We are currently pioneers in the Group and are transferring digitalisation to the other Group companies. This helps us a lot in the individual processes. We were able to increase our turnover by 50% in the year after coronavirus. Our aim is to double our income every five years,’ explains Michael Menzel.
