Newrest is one of the world’s largest catering companies. They deliver inflight meals and services to airlines across the globe. And they needed a smarter way to load the airline trolleys at their Copenhagen facility.  

 

The Challenge: Heavy Manual Lifting & Inflexible Equipment 

Before partnering with TAWI, Newrest’s operators were performing repetitive, physically demanding work and manually filling airline catering trolleys. This task regularly exposed staff to awkward postures, heavy lifts, and the risk of musculoskeletal strain. 

Existing solutions on the market offered little relief. Most lifting systems were fixed in a single position and difficult to reposition. This rigidity caused friction and stopped them from having the flexibility their operations needed. 

Key challenges: 

• Repetitive manual lifting when loading airline trolleys 
• Ergonomically demanding work postures 
• Floor-fixed equipment that could not be moved between workstations 
• Limited ability to adapt workflows as volumes and facility layouts evolved 

 

The Solution: A Mobile, Customised Lifter 

TAWI worked with Newrest to develop a solution to address the specific demands of inflight catering operations. The result is a mobile, battery-powered TAWI lifting trolley. It’s fitted with a customer-specific lifting tool that efficiently and ergonomically handles airline trolleys. 

The custom attachment allows operators to lift trolleys in one movement. It can handle four half-size airline trolleys or two full-size trolleys. 

Most importantly, operators can move the lifter wherever it is needed most. In a catering environment where volumes, schedules, and processes can shift at short notice, that flexibility matters. 

“The mobile design means Newrest can take the lifting trolley to where it is needed — not reorganise the entire operation around where the equipment happens to be,” said Markus Carlbom, TAWI Global Business Manager Airports & Ports. 

What the TAWI Catering Trolley delivers:  

• Reduces manual lifting and awkward postures throughout the production process 
• Deployable across multiple workstations without relocation of fixed infrastructure 
• Mobile, battery-powered TAWI lifting trolley, no floor fixings required 
• Custom-designed lifting tool built specifically for Newrest’s airline trolleys 
• Handles up to four half-size or two full-size airline trolleys per lift 

The Results: Improved Operator Wellbeing and a More Agile Operation 

The TAWI catering lifting trolley has made a big difference at Newrest Copenhagen. The combination of handling capacity and mobility gives Newrest the safety and flexibility they were looking for. 

From an ergonomic standpoint, the solution reduces manual lifting and awkward postures when workers load inflight catering trolleys. The lifter handles the physical load, so staff can work more comfortably and safely throughout a shift.  

On the operational side, the mobile design has given Newrest a high level of agility. The team can quickly reposition the lifting trolley. This helps them adapt to shifts in production volume and reconfigure workstations when necessary. 

With TAWI’s lifting trolley, Newrest can support a more sustainable working environment for their team and operations. 

Key outcomes at Newrest Copenhagen: 

• Reduced manual lifting and improved operator ergonomics across trolley-handling tasks 
• Lower risk of repetitive strain injuries for production staff 
• Greater production flexibility as equipment moves with the workflow, not against it 
• Faster adaptation to changes in production volumes, airline schedules, and facility layout 
• A versatile solution that serves multiple workstations with a single piece of equipment 

Discover more ways that TAWI’s portable lifting trolleys can help with material handling tasks. Or explore how TAWI helps airports.