Hörmann – Decades Manufacturing Loading Dock Equipment – Now Available in North America

With more than 20 million doors produced and installed since 1935, Hörmann now operates 40 highly specialized factories worldwide, producing state-of-the art residential garage doors, commercial sectional doors, high-performance doors, and building components.

Here in North America, Hörmann operates six modern manufacturing facilities and 23 sectional door distribution centers, and we’re passionate about delivering the most complete range of quality, up-to-date door and now dock system solutions available. This article begins with a brief history of when Hörmann in Europe entered the dock equipment market and when Hörmann in North America added dock systems to their product offerings. In addition, we’ll cover details about the wide range of loading dock equipment offered to the North American market and why Hörmann equipment is superior to competitive brands in many ways.

Let’s get started!

Hörmann added loading technology to its product portfolio in 2002through the acquisition of Dutch company DynaSeal B.V. (now Hörmann Alkmaar B.V.). This addition enabled Hörmann to offer a more comprehensive product line that included loading technology in addition to its established portfolio of industrial door products.

In July 2025, Hörmann North America announced that they expanded their product offerings to the North American market to include loading dock levelers and accessories. With this addition to an existing expanse of commercial sectional, residential, high-performance, and rubber doors, Hörmann even further solidified their position as a complete source for all door systems and loading dock equipment in North America.

For the North American market, Hörmann offers:

Loading Dock Levelers

Models include: Hydraulic pit levelers and mechanical edge of dock levelers

Dock Shelters and Seals

Models include: Flexible dock shelters and cushion dock seals

Electrical Vehicle Restraint

Dock Bumpers

Models include: Laminated, steel-faced, and molded

Accessories

Stop & Go communication system, LED loading dock lights, wheel chocks, pit kits

Hörmann’s Quality Construction – Hydraulic Pit Models

Hörmann dock levelers are constructed with high-quality materials for a premium choice in dock levelers. They are well-designed solutions for seamlessly bridging the height difference between varying truck beds and docks for easy movement of material handling equipment. 

A sturdy steel construction with anti-twist platform easily compensates for truck bed tilting, even if the load is not distributed evenly. The S 235 steel platform is made of a single piece, up to a 6’0” x 10’0” size. Reinforcement beams are specially designed to prevent lane grooves and exceed ANSI-MH-30-1-2022 standards. The standard platform thickness on hinged lip models is a sturdy 0.25”, and the lip is made from a single piece of ½” S355 thread-plated steel. Hinges are constructed from S420 steel grade, which is a high-strength weldable steel designed to endure the rigorous activity in your loading area. Thirty-two closely spaced hinge strips (78.7-inch wide leveler), supported by a 1.1” diameter axle, ensure superior force distribution compared to hinge bushings. The open design prevents debris from accumulating in the hinge, and the 2-piece shaft design facilitates easy maintenance and removal.

In addition, Hörmann hydraulic dock levelers are also equipped with two main lifting cylinders (most competitive models use just one cylinder) with automatic emergency-stop valves, which immediately secure the dock leveler if a truck drives away while a load is still on the leveler platform. Use of two cylinders also provides a safety net in the event one of the cylinders is not operational so that the leveler still is able to operate, which eliminates downtime during busy operations.

Standard Built-In Safety Features

While some competitive brands offer full range toe guards as an option, at Hörmann, they are included as standard. In addition, the platform is manufactured using anti-slip deck plate as standard. The steel surfaces undergo shotblasting to ensure quality and are then 2C PU-coated in-house. Finally, Hörmann simplifies maintenance by including built-in maintenance supports on every dock leveler.

Optional Equipment to Further Support Energy Efficiency

For added energy efficiency around the dock space, Hörmann offers efficiency upgrades such as side seals that close the space between the leveler platform and the dock floor. Choose from either vinyl draft strips or preassembled brush seals. Either way, these simple additions reduce the amount of debris that can fall beneath the dock leveler, and they support overall energy efficiency by preventing drafts from entering the building and retaining the conditioned air inside the building. 

Hörmann’s Quality Construction – Mechanical Edge of Dock Levelers

Just like the hydraulic pit levelers, Hörmann mechanical edge of dock levelers are constructed with high-quality materials for equipment that can stand up to rigorous daily use. The platform is made of S 235 (0.25” thick) anti-slip steel, and the hinged lip is made of ½” thick S355 anti-slip steel. Closely-spaced hinge strips (32 on a 3.25 foot wide dock leveler) provide superior rigidity and strength compared to hinge bushings. In addition, the open design prevents dirt from collecting in the hinge, so performance is safe and consistent. The steel surfaces are sandblasted and supplied in 2C PU-coated black, and galvanized finish is available on request. Overall, the self-supporting steel articulated design is resistant to working stresses up to a 35,000 lb static load capacity (rated load according to MH30.1-2022). Steel formed bumper blocks with molded rubber bumpers and toe guards are standard.

Hörmann’s HR has an advanced design that outperforms competitive hook-style restraints. A patented Triple Range Hook secures trailer rig bars that are rectangular or pentagonal with 4-1/2” vertical center plates and is designed to safety secure rigs while the hook is positioned at various heights. The Hook is upwardly biased and rotates to increase engagement if contacted by the rig when the trailer shifts during loading / unloading. An elevated hook shank maintains engagement and eliminates false-negative rig bar sensing from gaps created by bouncing, and an exclusive gear motor with a one-way braking system keeps the hook continuously engaged. The HR system is equipped with an IP67 compliant motor with watertight connectors and corrosion-resistant zinc plating but only uses electricity when engaging or dis-engaging the rotating hook, and the hook maintains engagement with the rig even if power is lost. 

The overall quality construction of Hörmann dock shelters give them a distinct advantage over competitive brands. They are made with high-quality materials including a sturdy, galvanized, pressed-steel frame along with side and top curtains made of double-layered, 3mm thick polyester monofilament thread backing fabric with double-sided UPVC coating. In contrast to conventional polyester curtains with sewn-in rigid stays, the monofilament threads in the material perform a tarpaulin tensioning effect to the truck body and thus provide an excellent seal.  The curtains and frame are manufactured as easy-to-assemble individual elements that can be screwed together for quick installation. These simple parts are easy and inexpensive to replace and repair.

Hörmann’s dock shelter warranty is a testament to the quality of the product:  20 years on the hinge, 10 years on the primary structure, 5 years on cylinders, control box, and power pack plus 1 year on all other components.

Hörmann dock shelters accommodate all over-the-road trailer sizes, so for locations where a variety of trucks access the docks, dock shelters are a practical choice. They can be sized to ensure an effective seal around the truck no matter the size and they may be customized for any loading scenario.

For docks that will accommodate standard, consistent truck sizes, for the best possible seal, cushion dock seals are recommended. Hörmann offers two dock seal models: Model 100 Series with a fixed head pad and Model 200 Series F-Header with a curtain style header. The Series 200 is designed for use where a door height of 9’0” or greater exists and when a variety of trailer heights must be serviced. The flexible head curtain extends the truck coverage area to successfully seal the area around varying truck dimensions.

To round out a complete offering of loading dock systems, Hörmann offers three types of dock bumpers along with lighting and communication accessories such as LED loading dock lights and “Stop & Go’ Communication System.

Dock Bumpers

For environments with low traffic needs, molded rubber bumpers are an economical bumper that effectively protects the dock and building. Hörmann includes molded bumpers with our edge-of-dock levelers; they’re made from reinforced prime rubber and are available in several shape and sizes. 

Next, laminated dock bumpers are a tried and true method for protecting the building in low to medium traffic applications. They’re made using reclaimed, bias ply truck tires for outstanding performance, and beefy 3/8” thick steel angles are used as the structural anchoring point to the dock for a sturdy installation.

Have a high-traffic dock? Upgrade to steel-faced bumpers that offer outstanding resistance to abrasion from the up and down trailer movement caused by forklifts entering/exiting the trailer. The heavy-duty steel face ‘floats’ to allow the bumper to compress while providing high surface abrasion protection.

Dock Lights

LED loading dock lights are a smart and affordable dock accessory. They are energy-efficient and can light up any dock environment. Because they use about 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and they’re extremely impact-resistant, it makes sense to choose LED loading dock lights in place of conventional lighting fixtures.

In addition to LED loading dock lights at the dock, add a Stop & Go communication system for increased safety. When integrated with loading dock systems, a Stop & Go signal system alerts truck drivers and dock personnel to the status of trucks backed in or backing into the dock. These communication systems are designed with long-lasting, energy-efficient LED lamps for years of reliable, uninterrupted service.

Wheel Chocks & Pit Kits

Once the dock levelers, shelters/seals, and bumpers have been selected, for customers looking for the entirety of related equipment to be included in their loading dock package, Hörmann also offers wheel chocks and pit kits. 

Wheel chocks are made of recycled rubber tire laminates that are compressed and fastened together under high pressure galvanized steel sides. They fit snugly against the truck tires to prevent unintentional forward movement of a stationary trailer. 

For cost savings related to forming dock leveler pits, steel pit kits are an efficient option that allows for a neat and clean appearance without the added costs related to forming a conventional pit. Reinforced sides, back and front curb angle are provided so the pit is formed to the correct size, eliminating costly mistakes.

With Hörmann broadening product offerings in 2025 to include loading dock systems, their position as a comprehensive source for commercial and high-performance door systems and loading dock equipment in North America is further solidified. With so many door and dock innovations and options now available, it just became easier to accommodate renovation and new construction specifications no matter what.