Flexi time
June 1st 2005 Needing trucks that could handle loads in very narrow aisles, global electronics giant, Samsung Electronics, also reduces double handling with Narrow Aisle’s Flexi The European spare parts distribution hub of Samsung Electronics distributes a huge range of parts – around 36,000 different lines – to the whole of Europe and the Middle East. With the business expanding, the Samsung warehouse team was looking for a versatile truck that could carry out multiple tasks, from loading and unloading, to picking and placing and stocktaking and at the same time tackle the extremely low laden utilisation of handling equipment, typically only 20% of travel is with a load. A Flexi from Narrow Aisle has provided a solution to all these requirements in a single truck.
The Flexi works in the same aisles as dedicated VNA turret trucks running on guide rails, which operate in aisle widths to 1750mm. Samsung Electronics was looking for a truck that could handle loads in the very narrow aisles to support the conventional VNA trucks during downtime and also carry out loading and unloading duties.
“We use the Flexi outside in the loading area, to gain access to parts required to make up an order and for stock maintenance. Basically, we were looking for a vehicle that could slot in anywhere in our operation. Our business needs are constantly changing and the Flexi helps us respond quickly to demands.” The huge bonus of the Flexi is that it gives warehouse operators like Samsung Electronics the opportunity to use the truck to suit its specific business needs, which means the Flexi is fully utilised at all times of the day. For some operators the key aim is to achieve more pallet space within the building envelopes, for others it is the ability to operate ‘Road to Rack’ with no double pallet handling.
Full articulation and a unique design actually give the Flexi the ability to work in very narrow aisles down to 1750 mm wide.
Compared to a conventional reach truck, this allows operators to store around 30% more pallets simply by eliminating the extra space a reach truck wastes to turn into the racking and in clearance over the high reach legs. This saving increases to a dramatic 50% when compared to counterbalance fork truck aisles.
At the same time, the Flexi is equally at home in the loading applications, giving companies the opportunity to eliminate ‘double handling’ systems where a counter balance working outside brings the pallet into the building and places on the floor, a reach truck then has to be directed to pick up the pallet and place it away in the rack location. Instead, they can use the Flexi to load and unload lorries and deliver pallets directly into racking in a single operation.
This ‘Road to Rack’ approach dramatically increases efficiency and productivity, by abolishing double handling and the need – and cost – of an extra truck.
When working in the yard, the four large diameter resilient rubber tyres give excellent grip, even in wet or slippery conditions while the four-wheel design provides superb stability even over uneven surfaces. The standard triplex full free lift mast, ergonomically designed cab and high operators seat affords exceptional forward visibility for safer, more efficient vehicle unloading/loading.
Samsung Electronics first saw the Flexi in operation at the IMHX show at the NEC in 2004. “We had planned to achieve a number of objectives in the warehouse and when we saw the Flexi in operation, we identified it as the ideal vehicle to handle multiple tasks. Many companies do not realise that the laden utilisation of their material handling equipment is lower than 20%, the Flexi is one step closed to improving that terrible statistic.“ More articles from Narrow Aisle Limited: | 
