Introduction
Located on the historic Rowntree Cocoa Works site in York, the Nestlé factory carries a legacy of confectionery innovation dating back to the 1890s. When Nestlé acquired Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, it inherited not only the iconic factory but also legendary brands like KitKat, cementing the site’s place in chocolate history.
Problem
Once home to a major production hub and a global research centre for future sweets, the Rowntree Cocoa Works continues to shape the world of chocolate. Today, it produces KitKat bars for global distribution, maintaining a perfect blend of tradition and modern efficiency. This continuous, high-volume production requires a reliable system to safely and efficiently move all necessary ingredients from the receiving area into the factory without disrupting the demanding production schedules.
Solution
To handle the critical logistics of material intake, every ingredient that goes into a KitKat passes through an Edmolift low-rise goods and loading bay lift. This system was specifically designed to handle the demands of a busy production environment. Key features were integrated to maximise throughput and safety: the lift includes a powered bridge plate for smooth transitions, a robust 1500Kg capacity to handle large loads, and comprehensive safety features including barriers and interlocked gates—all ensuring smooth, safe, and efficient handling of materials.
Results
The installation of the Edmolift low-rise lift successfully integrated modern efficiency into the historic facility. From historic heritage to cutting-edge production, the Nestlé York site demonstrates how innovation and tradition can work hand in hand—supported by smart solutions that keep the sweet success flowing and ensure the seamless, high-volume production of KitKat bars for a global market.