Hotel Chocolat

Who is Hotel Chocolat?

Hotel Chocolat is an international chocolate shop chain renowned for their originality, authenticity and ethics. The chain opened its first shop in 2004 and now has 103 shops as well as cafes and restaurants.

The Challenge

The operators were regularly reaching into the machine to remove the depositor plate which was a manual handling and safety risk. The other issue was the time taken to remove the depositor plate. An instrumental tool in their production process, the plate needed to be handled with care without the risk of injury. The machine manufacturers were looking for a solution which would fit their application rather than a standard product.

The Solution

The Pronomic P model was recommended by the client’s machine manufacturers. Modifications were required to the lifting attachment forks to make the unit fit for the specific application. Nylon strips were added to the forks to facilitate a smoother surface for the plates to slide against and a lock at the end of the forks held the plates in place once loaded. In addition, the forks were very long to reach right into the centre of the equipment with a corresponding counterbalance on the main unit.

The Benefits

By using the Pronomic unit, the client minimised the risk of injury to both operators and depositor plates. Transportation time of the depositor plate from the machine to the wash station was reduced, meaning greater efficiency and less downtime. The portable electric lifting trolley was chosen due to its manoeuvrability and ease of use. The client found it was easy to get into position and was able to make very precise movements.

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If you’re facing a similar challenge in your workplace, contact us on 01778 345 365 or email [email protected] & we’ll be happy to help.