DPD Cardiff Depot

We worked with DPD to install a large, bespoke loading bay canopy at their Cardiff depot, helping protect the building from the elements and making day-to-day loading easier, whatever the weather.

Background

DPD’s Cardiff depot sits in a coastal location, right by the sea and the docks – so it’s no stranger to strong winds and driving rain. When the loading bay doors were open, the weather would often blow straight into the building. This made it harder for staff to work comfortably, and keeping the area clean and dry was a constant challenge.

They needed a practical way to keep the worst of the weather out while giving drivers a sheltered area to load vans safely and efficiently throughout the year.

The requirement

DPD were looking for a canopy that could:

  • Provide reliable weather protection across a wide loading area
  • Avoid using front posts that might interfere with vehicle access
  • Complement the look of the building with a clean, streamlined design
  • Handle the site’s exposed location without issue

They also wanted the finish to blend in with the building’s existing colour scheme, so the structure looked like part of the original design.

The challenge

Because this is a busy working depot, we had to plan the installation carefully to avoid disruption. The works were split into phases and scheduled around quieter times, with the site kept usable whenever things picked up again.

We factored in the site’s exposed location using our site-specific calculations. The wind load here meant the structural calculations had to be tailored more precisely, and the canopy was adapted to suit – giving the depot a long-lasting, durable solution that works in all weathers.

The solution

We recommended our Connekt canopy – a robust cantilevered system that’s ideal for wide, open areas.

We visited the site and offered technical advice on how to get the coverage just right. After speaking with the estates team, we agreed on a slightly deeper projection than first planned to make sure the canopy would fully cover the bay doors.

The final design measured 28,000mm x 4,000mm, supported by five rear posts and four large spanning frames – keeping the area completely open at the front, with no obstructions to vehicles or staff.

Results

  • A fully covered loading area that protects staff, vehicles and the building
  • A clear, open design with no posts in the way of day-to-day operations
  • A sleek, colour-matched finish that complements the building
  • Installed on time, with minimal disruption

The finished canopy has been a great addition to the depot – smart, practical, and designed to meet the site’s unique demands. DPD were really pleased with how everything turned out.

Back to all case studies

Loading Bay Canopies