Aluminum sideboards shrink block loading, tie down time


Safety was the main motivator behind selecting the aluminum sideboards, affirms Brian Bussell, accounts manager – Jacksonville District, Cemex.

When it comes to transporting product, Cemex’s South Jacksonville Block facility in Florida plays it safe with custom aluminum sideboards from Unique Technology, a Sarasota, Fla.-based company that has provided masonry delivery solutions for 17 years. The sideboard panels are made using an expanded aluminum mesh sheet and welded to a 1.5- x 5-in. aluminum angle for a lightweight yet strong product. To meet Department of Transportation regulations, the angle has a heavy wall outside radius that helps prevent chafing to nylon strap devices used to secure loads. The radius angle also distributes weight across multiple load units.

Safety was the main motivator behind selecting the aluminum sideboards, affirms Brian Bussell, accounts manager – Jacksonville District, Cemex. In fact, they are mandatory companywide. Bussell also notes that about six months ago, the South Jacksonville Block location installed custom 90-degree panels. By utilizing these corner sideboards, yard staff and driver have been able to reduce load time by 20 minutes when compared to the alternative of shrink wrapping cubes.

Unique Technology offers panels in sizes that range from 48- x 30-in. to 96- x 36-in. The company also offers two corner sideboards: 48- x 48- x 30-in. and 48- x 48- x 36-in. Panels can be modified to fit any application, although they are primarily used to transport full pallets of masonry goods. Other industries that have embraced the sideboards concept includes ceramic tile, roofing shingles, as well as chemical companies that transport 50-gal. drums.

— Unique Technology, 941/358-5410; www.uniquesideboards.com