At SHS, our expertise lies in the Design, Supply, and Maintenance of material handling equipment. Coop partnered with us to make back-of-store deliveries safer and more efficient, tackling the challenges of heavy roll cage movement across varied store layouts – with an expected 50% reduction in manual handling injuries.
CHALLENGE
Coop faced several operational challenges:
- Heavy cage handling: Long drags of loaded or empty roll cages created fatigue and increased injury risk.
- Inconsistent store layouts: Varied terrain and gradients made standard handling methods unsafe or inefficient.
- Operator strain: Manual handling placed physical demands on colleagues, impacting safety and operational performance.
- Inefficient traditional mitigations: Two-person deliveries and half-cage loads improved safety but increased cost and slowed operations.
A tailored solution was required to protect colleagues, reduce risk, and improve delivery efficiency.
SOLUTION
Through our Design pillar, SHS developed the LIFTEK Cagemover, a bespoke solution engineered for Coop’s unique operational needs. Backed by our in-house R&D team and 25+ years of expertise, LIFTEK transforms the movement of heavy roll cages, whether fully laden or stacked empty. Key features included:
- Ergonomic operation: Smooth, low-effort handling reduces strain and fatigue.
- Stable cage support: Secure positioning prevents shifting during transport.
- Adaptable design: Handles all 14 cage types in Coop’s network and negotiates varied terrain and gradients.
- Efficiency gains: Speeds up deliveries without extra staff, improving operational flow.
RESULTS
Deployment of the LIFTEK CAGEMOVER delivered immediate improvements:
- Enhanced safety: Reduced manual handling injuries and long-term risk exposure.
- Operational efficiency: Faster, more consistent cage movement with fewer resources required.
- Rapid ROI: Equipment pays back quickly through reduced staffing needs and fewer incident-related absences.
- Standardised operations: Provides consistency across diverse stores, supporting colleague wellbeing.
WHY SHS?
This case study highlights SHS’s commitment to delivering innovative, tailored material handling solutions through our three pillars: Design, Supply, Maintain. By combining expert design, purpose-built equipment, and ongoing support, we empower clients like Coop to achieve safer, more efficient operations - with a measurable impact on people, performance, and productivity.