The home improvement boom has resulted in strong sales growth for International Wholesale Tile. However, the national retail distributor of stone and tile for floors, patios, walkways and countertops wasn't ready for such growth and needed to lease two more facilities.

According to Rick McCoy, director of warehouse operations for International Wholesale Tile, "When we make the decision to move into a new warehouse, we want to be able to do it on a fast timetable."

Both new warehouses have multiple door slots: 20 in Dallas and 25 in Palm City, Fla. At first, Dallas was not fully equipped with pit-style dock levelers, and the company was concerned about the routine handling of pallet loads that weigh as much as 3,800 pounds.

So, the company implemented dock bridges (SPX Dock Products, 866-696-2464). The equipment's modular design offers a low-cost, easy-to-install, easy-to-maintain way for International Wholesale Tile to load and unload its often very heavy inventory. After the Dallas facility used the bridges for a few months, McCoy purchased 15 for Palm City.

The bridges are securely anchored to the dock using four bolts, providing high stability. McCoy notes the deck prevents sliding of the forklift wheels and ensures that the forklift will not drive off the dock.

"I have worked with a number of leveler types in the past, including pure manual and hydraulic," McCoy says. "With this one, we don't have to deal with the time and expense involved with digging and pouring a concrete pit."

Operation of the bridges is simple. After the trailer is positioned and the dock door is raised, a step on the release pedal and a slight push causes the vertically stored unit to gently descend until the lip is resting on the trailer bed.

With the ongoing growth projected for business, International Wholesale Tile expects to set up operations in different parts of the country. Or, the company may need to move from the current facilities into larger buildings to support the growth.

"When that happens," says McCoy, "all we have to do is loosen up the bolts on the bridges, move them to the new site, and we are ready to start moving inventory."