As a major player in the European joinery market, JELD-WEN Europe leads the way in manufacturing high-quality doors, windows, patio doors, and stairs. With over 1,200 staff in the UK and operations spanning four production facilities, JELD-WEN required a smarter, safer, and more efficient way to manage internal logistics at their Sheffield site. This was especially important for their busy door manufacturing lines.
Tractive Power was commissioned to develop a custom tractive solution tailored to the company’s specific workflow. Meeting growing production demands and reducing manual handling risks.
The Challenge: Improving Conveyor and Dolley Handling
At the Sheffield-based factory, JELD-WEN’s existing system relied on roller conveyors to move doors to the end of each production line. Once there, doors were manually transferred onto a conveyor dolley, which needed to be manually pushed and pulled into alignment with the next conveyor section.
This system presented two major problems:
- Time inefficiencies due to the manual repositioning of the dolley
- Health and safety concerns surrounding repeated manual handling of heavy doors and equipment
JELD-WEN’s goal was to automate the dolley movement and door transfer process. Supporting a higher production volume and improving workplace safety.
The Solution: A Bespoke Tractive Power Integration
Tractive Power conducted a site assessment and designed a customised solution using the TP250 Tractive Pusher fitted with 5th-wheel hydraulic steering. This enhanced version allowed for precise, powered movement of the conveyor dolley—eliminating the need for manual handling when aligning with other conveyor lines.
In addition to moving the dolley, Tractive Power integrated a motorised control system into the unit to power the conveyor rollers. This addition enabled doors to be automatically loaded and unloaded onto the dolley, streamlining the transfer process between workstations.
Key Features of the Custom Solution:
- TP250 Tractive Unit with hydraulic 5th-wheel steering for powered dolley manoeuvring
- Integrated motor control system to drive conveyor rollers
- Smooth automated loading/unloading of doors onto and off the dolley
- Significant reduction in manual labour and handling risks
- Improved speed and accuracy in the production flow
The Result: Streamlined Production & Safer Workflows
With the new Tractive Power system in place, JELD-WEN significantly improved the efficiency of their door transfer process. Manual handling was almost completely eliminated, and production staff could focus on more skilled tasks rather than repositioning dollies.
The bespoke system not only improved output speed but also contributed to a safer working environment—a core priority for any large-scale manufacturing business.
Why Work With Tractive Power?
This successful collaboration with JELD-WEN highlights Tractive Power’s ability to design and deliver bespoke material handling systems for complex production environments. Whether you’re in joinery, automotive, rail, or manufacturing, our custom tractive units can be adapted to fit your exact requirements.
Our team specialises in:
- Tailored electric tug and pusher systems
- Integration with existing machinery and conveyors
- Health and safety-focused designs
- Scalable solutions for multi-site operations
Need a Custom Tractive Solution?
If you’re looking to streamline production, improve safety, or reduce manual handling in your facility, Tractive Power can help.
Contact us today to discuss your bespoke tractive unit requirements or arrange a site visit.