KEITH Manufacturing elevates Dock Safety and efficiency with Freight Runner® System

Published on June 9, 2026 Time: loading...

KEITH Manufacturing Co. is redefining material handling safety and efficiency with its Freight Runner® Dock-to-Trailer System. This Auto Truck Loading (ATL) solution automates pallet transfer between dock and trailer, removing the need for personnel or forklifts to enter trailers. By replacing traditional dock plates with a hands-free automated pathway, Freight Runner provides a direct dock-to-trailer connection that significantly mitigates risk in one of the warehouse’s highest-risk areas. With nearly a quarter of warehouse injuries occurring at loading docks, this system addresses fall hazards, forklift impacts, and manual lifting injuries while also limiting exposure to extreme temperatures at dock doors.

The system enables loading or unloading trailers in as little as five minutes, a fraction of the time required using conventional forklift methods. This efficiency reduces driver idle time, improves trailer turnaround, and minimizes staging requirements, all while protecting product integrity and enhancing equipment utilization. By eliminating the need for workers to enter trailers, Freight Runner minimizes product damage and ensures safer, more consistent operations for warehouses, 3PL facilities, and cold-chain logistics applications.

Freight Runner is engineered for closed-loop distribution and dedicated route networks. Synchronizing dock and trailer conveyors ensures seamless, hands-free transfer between facilities. This integration is particularly valuable for sensitive industries such as food and beverage or refrigerated supply chains, where maintaining temperature control and product quality is critical. The system’s automated workflow reduces dock congestion, streamlines staging processes, and simplifies operations across diverse material handling environments.

Adaptable configurations make Freight Runner suitable for a range of applications, from traditional warehousing and logistics to assembly lines and trailer interiors. Its “drop-in” chain and runner conveyor design allows for straightforward installation, integrating with existing infrastructure without major construction or facility modifications. Trailers can also be equipped for independent operation, powered electrically or hydraulically, expanding the system’s benefits to off-dock locations. Corrosion-resistant roller chains and low-maintenance engineering provide long service life, ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

In refrigerated or cold-chain operations, Freight Runner’s shortened loading and unloading times limit door-open duration, improving temperature control and energy efficiency. By reducing manual intervention, the system protects workers from repetitive strain and potential injury while simultaneously safeguarding transported goods. For operators seeking both enhanced safety and operational speed, Freight Runner represents a transformative solution in automated material handling.

KEITH Manufacturing Co. brings over seventy years of expertise to the Freight Runner system. The company’s legacy includes pioneering the first commercial moving floor in 1973, establishing a global standard for safe, efficient bulk material unloading. KEITH WALKING FLOOR® mobile systems continue to set benchmarks across agriculture, recycling, biomass, renewable energy, construction, and industrial markets. With decades of engineering excellence and a commitment to innovation, KEITH supports OEMs and fleet operators worldwide, providing dependable, high-performance solutions tailored to modern material handling challenges.

By integrating advanced automation, operational efficiency, and proven safety measures, Freight Runner sets a new standard in dock-to-trailer logistics. As warehouses and distribution centers strive to meet increasing throughput demands while prioritizing worker safety, KEITH Manufacturing’s automated solution offers a compelling, practical approach to transforming traditional loading dock operations.

The Freight Runner Dock-to-Trailer System exemplifies KEITH Manufacturing’s commitment to innovation and safety. By automating the riskiest points of material transfer, the system enhances dock efficiency, reduces injuries, and ensures faster, hands-free pallet handling across diverse operational environments.