Warburtons Bakery Increase Capacity Thanks To Electric Tugs

A bespoke MasterMover electric tug is making it easy to move large loads of bread across Warburtons’ bakery in the heart of Scotland, leading to increased capacity and improved productivity at the site.

The challenge

At Warburtons’ bakery in Bellshill, Scotland, the production team faced significant challenges in moving long lines of bread trolleys, each weighing up to 250kg, across the busy site.  

This manual handling process was not only labour-intensive but also posed risks of fatigue and injury for the team, especially during peak production periods. Additionally, the time and effort required to move the trolleys were limiting the site’s overall productivity and capacity. 

Recognising the need for a safer, more efficient solution, MasterMover’s sales partner Safetrade 247 introduced the possibility of using an electric tug to streamline the process. Working closely with Warburtons, we collaborated with Safetrade 247 to develop a bespoke solution tailored to the bakery’s specific requirements. 

The opportunity

The MasterMover SM100 TOW was selected as the ideal choice for the task. Paired with the innovative design of a custom push plate that could seamlessly link the MasterMover SM100 TOW to Warburtons’ bread trolleys. This ensured safe, smooth, and efficient transportation across the production site, significantly reducing the physical strain on the team while maintaining the integrity of the products being moved. 

This solution not only improved safety on-site but also streamlined the production flow, enabling the team to focus on core tasks rather than the laborious transportation of heavy trolleys.

The introduction of the electric tug demonstrated the value of a custom-engineered approach, where collaboration and technical expertise addressed Warburtons’ unique operational challenges. 

The results

Since the introduction of the SM100 TOW, Warburtons has seen a significant improvement in productivity and site capacity. The tug’s ability to handle multiple trolleys at once has allowed the team to move products more efficiently from the production line to the distribution area, ready for dispatch. 

Since its introduction, the SM100 TOW’s capability in moving products safely and efficiently on-site has led the Warburton’s team to place an order for another MasterMover electric tug.

Martin Moore of Warburtons summed up the project:

This partnership between MasterMover, Safetrade 247, and Warburtons showcases the power of collaboration and engineering innovation in overcoming everyday operational challenges.