Ease a Tight Squeeze

When it comes to making a lasting first impression, Sell-Mar Enterprise, Inc. knows how to shine. Specializing in architectural metal and glass storefronts, this wholesale distributor ensures every business they outfit looks its absolute best. But behind those sleek façades is a bustling manufacturing operation—and a shipping and receiving challenge that threatens to slow everything down.

Relocating from the Bronx to a 16,000-square-foot facility in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., in spring 2023 gave Sell-Mar more space—but also more headaches. The shipping dock was cramped, at the end of a steeply sloped driveway, and completely ill-equipped for the demands of moving heavy glass panels, machinery, and forklifts. Something had to give—and fast.

Overcoming Challenging Dock Constraints

Sell-Mar’s shipping and receiving area is tucked into a confined space at the end of a sloped driveway with a 10-degree pitch, just off a sharp street bend. Contractors picking up finished products—especially glass panels requiring specialized transport—needed a safer and more efficient method.

Although the facility included three loading dock bays, there was no effective way to raise incoming deliveries or lower finished goods by 48 inches. The company also needed a solution for lifting and lowering its 18,000-lb. forklift when necessary.

The Hydraulic Lift Solution

Sell-Mar found the answer in a three-sided pit-mounted Kelley KDL Series Hydraulic Dock Lift, boasting a 20,000-lb. capacity. Deliveries can be offloaded onto special carts and wheeled down to the dock, where they’re loaded onto the Kelley lift for easy transfer.

Joe Duque, N.Y.C. Area Account Manager for Alta Material Handling, surveyed the site and collaborated with Sell-Mar President Ramona Mejia on specifications and installation details. Doug McLeod, Director of Lift Products at 4Front Engineered Solutions, helped ensure a seamless installation.

“Compared to other manufacturers we considered, Kelley could meet our move-in timeline with a much better lead time,” Duque explained. He also noted the importance of verifying promises from manufacturers to avoid delays.

A Lift That Keeps the Day Moving

Mejia emphasized how essential the lift became almost immediately:

“We knew from the start that we needed a better solution for loading and unloading. Our shipping and receiving area wasn’t designed to handle deliveries and shipments to and from ground level.”

With contractors arriving throughout the day, the dock is constantly active. The Kelley lift allows personnel to move efficiently, reducing wait times for contractors and enhancing workflow—saving both time and money.

“The lift has made a huge difference,” Mejia said. “Even though I’d never used a hydraulic lift before, it was clear from the start that it was well-built and high quality. Our staff was skeptical initially, but now they appreciate it. I asked them, ‘Would you rather lift 500 pounds of glass by hand?’—and they’ve seen the light!”

Increased Efficiency, Safety, and Value

The Kelley lift has added tremendous value to Sell-Mar’s daily operations. It allows employees to work smarter, not harder, and ensures customers experience minimal wait times when picking up finished products.

Solve Your Docking Challenges with Kelley

If your facility struggles with tight dock constraints or inefficient loading processes, Kelley can help. Contact us to explore solutions that improve safety and streamline operations: email: kelley@4frontes.com | call: 800-558-6960.