ATLANTA – Cargo-control company Kinedyne introduced several new products to help make cargo access faster and easier as the effect of e-commerce continues to spread beyond traditional final-mile transportation.

“E-commerce is creating new cargo challenges, and Kinedyne is delivering new cargo solutions,” said Paul Wolford, vice president of sales and marketing for Kinedyne, during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show. “In the beginning, e-commerce had the greatest disruptive effect on end-of-the-line, also known as ‘final-mile’ or ‘last-mile’ delivery activities, but now companies throughout the supply chain are looking for ways to minimize transportation costs for cargo as it moves more swiftly throughout multiple transportation modes.”

Wolford explained that Kinedyne is bringing new technologies to North America that will help supply chains optimize the speed, cost and efficiency of controlling cargo as it transitions from its original state (as a raw commodity) to a high-density state (in shipping and in hubs) to a low-density state (as it makes its way through the last mile).

Among the products introduced were a load-rated curtain-side system for trailers, a unique double-decking system designed specifically for curtain-side applications, and a fast-access curtain-side system designed for urban operations.

The lightweight curtain-side system opens and closes at lightning-fast speeds, but is engineered to restrain lateral cargo movement. The system is suitable for trailers up to 53 feet. With rapid access on both ends, the cargo space can be opened and closed within mere seconds. The lightweight system is versatile and adaptable to a number of logistical challenges, such as palletized cargo, double-decking, rack-mounted goods and the transport of beverages

A load-rated curtain gives a trailer the combined advantages of flatbed access and a van’s walled structure. The double-decking system maximizes load density, allowing loading and unloading access of both cargo levels from the sides and rear, and all of its components conveniently stow in the trailer to avoid loss or damage.

“Popular in Europe, load-rated curtains become part of a vehicle’s overall load securement system,” Wolford said. “They save time, weight and fuel, while providing sideways restraint to otherwise fully secured loads up to the curtain’s stated rating.”

At this time in the U.S., those loads must still be otherwise restrained, but Kinedyne says it will work to get regulations changed to reflect those in Europe, where the load-rated curtains actually are legal as a securement device. Forward and rear cargo restraint must still be provided by headboards, tailboards and other traditional load securement methods.

The double-decking system for curtain-side systems lets users optimize cargo capacity. The system accommodates cargo of varying dimensions and heights and is easy and intuitive to operate, according to the company. System configurations can support between 13,000 and 24,000 pounds on their second loading levels.

A fast-access curtain-side system for the urban core was specially developed for fast and repetitive city distribution and short truck bodies of up to 28 feet. It’s ideal for quick and safe side loading and unloading in busy city centers, according to the company The cargo space can be swiftly opened, accessed from both sides and closed again within seconds. This system can be combined with a sliding roof and rear doors, creating a totally open cargo access environment.

A flexible quick-release latching system for curtain-side operations is simple, versatile and fast. The system is particularly well suited for truck bodies that are tapered at their top, Kinedyne says. Skewed body construction often occurs when unique cargo must be accommodated, such as beverage and glass truck applications. This ergonomic system replaces cumbersome buckle closures and heavy roll-up doors that require stretching and straining to close.

The sliding roof system uses patented folding plates and can be paired with an extended range of aluminum rails or combined with other curtain-style rapid-access products. The sliding roof makes the loading and unloading of long cargo easy and convenient and allows the use of over-head cranes. Users can choose between a traditional rear-to-front sliding roof or a sliding roof that opens and closes at both ends. Special patented security accessories are also available.

All Kinedyne’s curtain-side and retractable roofs are equipped with advanced, patented roller technology that makes opening and closing them faster, safer and less ergonomically challenging. The three-roller design includes a steel horizontal roller that ensures effortless sliding and prevents the curtain from binding even when being briskly opened and closed.

To bring these new technologies to North America, Kinedyne tapped the resources of its sister company, Wistra Cargo Control, and one of its European suppliers, Versus-Omega.

All products are expected to be commercially available by January 2018.