Material Handling equipment in the modern supermarket has changed over the last 25 years. Re-stocking items throughout the day instead of just overnight or in the mornings, more options in the produce department, bakeries loaded with an assortment of fresh breads and pastries instead of only one variety, butchers handling a range of exotic cuts from prized wagyu beef to tomahawk ribeye, and the front-end in concert with modern technology offering self-checkout and curbside pickup for online ordering as a service that has become wildly popular. Let’s explore some of the must have equipment from New Age Industrial for today’s grocery store.
Starting with the front end of the store, we have curbside delivery that has expanded the handling needs beyond the shopping cart. The Curbside Solutions Cart from New Age Industrial is a 6-tote cart designed for online order picking and curbside delivery. For a more versatile solution the Narrow Aisle Stock Truck is capable of holding 12 totes with the optional removable shelves (sold separately) and has the added advantage of folding and storing within a two-square-foot space.
The next stop is the produce department. Getting the produce from the cooler to the produce shelves requires equipment that can move large volumes of product. The Produce/Stocking Cart is a durable all-welded car with a solid top and marine edge to contain spills. Produce Crisping Carts are perfect for assisting in making sure you are putting out the tastiest produce possible and features a drip pan to catch water as it drains through the trays. This helps reduce slips and falls.
In the deli department, Mobile Slicer Stands are invaluable. With a tray rack to hold extra trays, a retractable tray shelf to slice to, a solid top that is easy to clean for the slicer to sit on, and 4 heavy dusty casters, this stand will be a best friend to all deli workers. The Extreme Duty Utility Cart is perfect for hauling boxes of deli meats from the dock to the cooler to the display case.
The butcher’s counter is one of the busiest places in the store. With unprocessed meat moving in, being processed then moving to the various locations, the need for handling equipment is high. Mobile Dunnage Racks are great for moving heavy boxed of raw products. While Platter Racks are ideal for moving packaged products from the cutting table to the display coolers for the customer to grab. In all the processing between, Lug Dollies are the gold standard in handling and processing raw meat.
Back in dairy section, things move fast. Milk Crate Dollies function as storage and transport for stacked milk crates in different configurations. Another family of storage product are Dunnage Racks which keep product off the floor. New Age Industrial dunnage racks are tough and can withstand the weight of liquid product stacked high for years.
Night stocking requires the toughest of carts to move heavy loads of product. One problem is, where do those carts go when the night stocking operation ends, and the operating store begins? New Age manufactures the Folding Utility Cart. This cart is perfect for heavy loads with its 1500 lbs. capacity and six-wheel zero turn configuration. When the stocking operation completes the cart folds to store on end, maximizing available storage space.
As we’ve explored some of the must have equipment for today’s grocery store, it’s evident that innovation and efficiency are key drivers. Whether it’s the Curbside Solutions Cart facilitating online order picking, the Produce/Stocking Cart ensuring the freshness of produce, or the versatile Folding Utility Cart streamlining night stocking operations, these tools not only meet the diverse needs of the supermarket but also contribute to a more efficient and customer-centric shopping environment. The evolution continues, and with robust handling equipment, supermarkets are well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the grocery industry.
New Age Industrial is the leading aluminum extruder and fabricator of storage and transportation equipment in the United States. We use a Flexible Manufacturing Process to design and build heavy-duty yet lightweight aluminum products that can be customized to fit your exact needs, completely stress-free. Our unmatched versatility in product design and in-house team of experts make New Age Industrial the Top Choice for material handling and food service equipment. Our products are Proudly Made in the USA!