The hospital's catering and hospitality manager, Michael Eastham, introduced the VARIOCART to support his team of 65 staff, delivering up to 2,500 patient meals per day. Built with strength and design in mind, VARIOCART has extra-strong welded seams and a smart shelf connection to deliver 300kg load capacity (100kg per shelf) – an unbreakable trolley, even in the most demanding of environments. It is flexible, with adjustable board heights and 11 levels for individual configurations. And with an optional ergonomic handle that ensures a more upright walk and improved handling, it makes work easier and safer too.
Michael Eastham said: "Trolleys are a vital piece of equipment in the kitchen operation, whether we're getting ingredients from the stores or delivering plates outside of the kitchen environment. And it's already evident that Hupfer's VARIOCART is much better for staff moving around the site – a much smoother trolley than we're used to. "The position of the handle also makes it easier for staff of all heights to move the trolley from one location to another, with better posture. We know that offers long-term benefits for the safety and wellbeing of our team."
Supporting sustainability
There are further benefits to Hupfer's best-in-class trolley, particularly in healthcare where NHS sustainability targets continue to dominate purchasing decisions. VARIOCART is delivered flatpack to cut transport space by 75%, reducing storage costs and carbon footprint through optimised deliveries. It's made from approximately 85% recycled materials and climate-neutral shipping is available.
In addition, Hupfer will buy back VARIOCART trolleys at the end of their working life to be recycled (or arrange for local recovery if it's more eco-friendly to do so) under its Buy Back Guarantee, which applies to all of the manufacturer's stainless steel and aluminium shelving and trolleys. Hupfer will deduct the scrap value of the trolley from any quotation for replacement products, giving UK customers the opportunity to earn rebates, support the circular economy and boost their sustainability performance. If the customer does not require a replacement equipment quote, Hupfer will instead assist in finding a local recycling company to ensure recovery.
Michael Eastham adds: "This is a brilliant initiative for life cycle works, knowing that the product will be recycled at the end of its working life rather than putting the onus on operators to close the loop. VARIOCART is a fantastic product and I've already recommended it to other NHS Trusts and MFT (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) sites."
Marc Sumner, sales and marketing director for Hupfer UK, said: "We were always confident that VARIOCART would turn heads in the market for its performance, load capacity and ergonomic features. With the addition of the sustainability benefits and our Buy Back Guarantee scheme, it's clear that this product is a game changer in general purpose trolleys for busy catering operations." Find here more information about the VarioCart.