Tractive Power has further strengthened its relationship with one of the UK’s largest dairy producers—Arla Foods—by delivering a TP500 Dairy Cage Pusher to its new Bellshill depot in Glasgow. This marks the sixth Tractive Power electric tug in use across Arla’s network and the fifth installation within Arla’s UK facilities, solidifying Tractive Power as the preferred supplier of material handling equipment across its dairy operations.
The Client: Arla Foods
Arla Foods is a leading name in the UK dairy industry, processing around two billion litres of milk annually. With well-known brands like Cravendale, Anchor, and Lurpak, Arla is continuing to expand its operational footprint to meet rising consumer demand.
The company is actively scaling up its production and distribution capacity, most notably through a 40% increase in capacity at its Lockerbie site and the development of a state-of-the-art depot in Bellshill. The Glasgow depot will serve both direct-to-store deliveries and third-party distribution through Arla’s growing pallet network.
The Challenge: Efficient, Single-User Dairy Cage Handling
With expanding production and tighter delivery windows, Arla needed a reliable and safe solution for moving dairy roll cages efficiently, especially during high-demand periods like Christmas.
Traditional methods, which often required multiple operators or manual effort, were no longer fit for purpose. Arla was searching for an electric tug system that could:
- Reduce manual handling
- Enable single-user operation
- Offer proven reliability in demanding conditions
- Scale easily across multiple sites
The Solution: TP500 Electric Tug with Remote Control
Tractive Power supplied the TP500 Tractive Pusher, a battery-powered, pedestrian-operated unit designed specifically for handling heavy wheeled loads, including dairy roll cages.
Outfitted with a remote-control system, the TP500 allows one operator to move multiple cages safely and precisely. Even in tight or congested depot environments. This level of operational flexibility is particularly valuable during peak distribution times when labour resources are stretched.
Key Features of the TP500:
- Moves up to 50,000kg (ideal for large-scale cage handling)
- Remote operation for safe, single-user control
- Battery-powered for quiet, emission-free use in food-grade environments
- Designed for rugged, round-the-clock warehouse operations
- Low-maintenance and highly reliable in high-throughput settings
Proven Performance Across Arla Sites
Following successful implementation at previous locations, Tractive Power’s electric tugs have become Arla’s go-to solution for internal logistics. The TP500 continues to outperform competitor models in terms of:
- Consistency
- Power
- Control
- Durability
As a result, Tractive Power has now become Arla’s preferred supplier for electric dairy cage pushers, offering reliable solutions for both everyday operations and seasonal demand.
Meeting Seasonal Demand with Scalable Solutions
In preparation for the busy Christmas period, Arla has once again placed an annual order with Tractive Power for additional pedestrian tug units. These tugs help accommodate the increased volume of dairy cage movement, ensuring production and distribution continue seamlessly through the holiday season.
Why Arla Trusts Tractive Power
Tractive Power’s ability to tailor solutions for specific applications has been instrumental in improving Arla’s operations. Our commitment to performance, safety, and support ensures that our clients receive more than just equipment—they receive a trusted partnership.
Improve Your Dairy Logistics with Tractive Power
If you’re looking to improve how your team handles roll cages, trolleys, or any heavy loads, our electric tugs offer a safer, more efficient alternative to manual handling or forklifts.
Explore the TP500 Tractive Pusher
Contact us to discuss how we can support your production facility or distribution centre.