Loading tow trains ergonomically for just-in-time part supply

•Investigates how to store bins on a tow train to minimize the worker’s physical strain during loading / unloading.•Develops a mixed-integer program formulation and proves NP-hardness of the problem.•Develops an exact DP-based and a heuristic GRASP-based solution procedure.•Conducts a real-world-oriented computational study.•Derives practical recommendation for tow train setup and design.