Every October, Stanair sees a clear rise in emergency callouts. High winds, heavy rain and falling debris put strain on critical equipment, often leading to disruption. Roller shutters can jam or misalign. Gate motors may struggle under pressure. Dock shelters and levellers face added wear. These problems are more than inconvenient. They can affect productivity, safety and day-to-day operations. 

Storm Amy brought early challenges this year, with wind speeds reaching up to 80 mph and amber warnings issued across the UK. Although the worst impacts were elsewhere, our teams in Peterborough, Kettering, Rugby and Milton Keynes were already called to sites with storm-related faults. 

 

In one case, a shutter motor failed during strong gusts, leaving the main entrance partially open for several hours. At another site, a gate sensor failed due to water ingress during prolonged rain. These weren’t dramatic incidents, but they caused delays, forced workarounds, and added pressure on site teams. 

 

Equipment that runs without issue in summer can quickly come under strain once conditions change. Wind tests fixings, supports and guide rails. Rain exposes weaknesses in seals and sensors. Colder temperatures affect motors and control systems. As daylight hours shorten, the signs of wear become harder to spot before failure occurs. 

Industrial sites are particularly vulnerable at this time of year. Shutters, dock levellers, gates and barriers are all in frequent use, and when they fail, the knock-on effect can be costly. 

 

One of our senior engineers summed it up: 

 

“October is when we start seeing small issues become big ones. The equipment has often been showing early signs of wear, but the weather tips it over the edge. A routine service at the start of the season helps avoid most of these breakdowns.” 

 

In the past year, we’ve attended callouts where equipment faults could have been caught with a basic inspection. Even minor repairs or adjustments made in advance can prevent hours of downtime later. 

 

For our customers, downtime doesn’t just cause frustration. It can delay deliveries, interrupt production schedules and affect staffing. And while these issues might not grab headlines, they are felt every day across busy industrial sites.