Weighbridge System Installation Keeps the Cider Flowing

When installing a new weighbridge for the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill, upsetting the apple cart was simply not an option.

In order to keep production flowing and ensure that the company was able to provide accurate records of receipts and dispatches and most importantly traceable records to HMRC, Avery Weigh-Tronix service engineers installed a complete new weighbridge system in just one weekend.

630 tonnes per day

The weighbridge system is at the heart of the mill’s cider production.  On a normal day, the mill will weigh and record numerous raw material deliveries and up to six tankers of cider weighing 25 tonnes, which is equivalent to 27,000 litres, before it leaves the production plant.  During the cider apple harvest the company weighs up to 630 tonnes of apples per day, or twenty three 28 tonne loads.  During this busy time, the weighbridge is open every day of the week between 7.00am and 9.00pm.

Fast installation for reduced downtime

After using their previous weighbridge for more than 35 years, the time had come to invest in new technology.  In order to reduce installation time, Avery Weigh-Tronix engineers created a bespoke bridge which was designed to drop into the existing weighbridge pit – reducing disruption to day to day processes.

Legal for trade, traceable transactions

Each transaction is verified by the newly installed legal for trade weighbridge and a ticket is produced for the driver.  In addition, the Weighman weighbridge software from Avery Weigh-Tronix provides traceable records for both suppliers and HMRC.

Avery Weigh-Tronix also provides ongoing weighbridge service and maintenance, which includes an annual calibration to ensure that it remains legal for trade.

The Shepton Mallet Cider Mill has been operating for over 100 years. As a major production facility, the team of cider makers has over 200 years of expertise amongst them producing some of the UK’s leading cider brands including Gaymers, Blackthorn & Addlestones.

Says Bob Chaplin, Fruit and Orcharding Manager for The Shepton Mallet Cider Mill,  “The weighbridge is vital for the ongoing production of our ciders. Vital raw materials can’t enter the site without it and our cider cannot leave without accurate verifiable records.  It was vital that the new weighbridge was installed and calibrated in just three days to minimise disruption for our staff, suppliers and customers.”