Seeds like a good deal
September 1st 2011 Articulated truck helps seed company to
grow at low cost
Cambridgeshire seed supplier CN Seeds reconfigured its
warehouse and bought a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 AC model
to serve the facility.
Originally CN's store had been divided by two aisles with
single pallet runs on the outside of each and two further backto-
back runs in between.
Arranging the racking in this way gave CN high quality
storage but did not utilise the available floor
space effectively, so by reconfiguring the site
around 1.8 metre aisle widths CN has been
able to add an extra 176 pallet locations –
nearly 25 per cent more places - within its
dehumidified warehouse.
At CN, incoming orders arrive in bulk bags
and are unloaded from trailers using a
counterbalance truck. The seed is cleaned and
repackaged in 25kg bags which are put away in
the humidity controlled store on a Chep-style
pallet before they are picked for onward
delivery to CN's customers.
"The articulated truck option was more
space efficient for us than using a reach truck,
which we had considered," says CN Seeds' Dan
Nye. "Furthermore, the Flexi is easier to drive
and faster in operation than reach trucks –
which, given that each pallet load of cleaned
and packaged seed can be worth as much as £40,000, was an
important consideration too."
The warehouse is now served by a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 AC
model.
The Flexi G4 AC is built on a standard platform and offers
low maintenance costs and low rental costs. Its twin load wheel
drive offers safe traction in all conditions especially when laden.
An electric-powered truck, the Flexi G4 AC is powered by a
heavy duty battery for long shift working. No chains or slings
are required during battery change over operations.Many
customers in the logistics industry need to operate two or three
shifts per day and this often requires battery
changeover to take place. The Flexi battery is
removed simply and efficiently at low level from
the rear with the driver using a hand pallet truck
or another forklift. This process is very fast and
eliminates the risk of the battery being dropped
from height.
The Flexi G4 AC rebuild programme offers the
latest Flexi energy technology and safety features
on a product that can save up to 30 per cent on
the investment cost.
"All rebuilt Flexis are specified to the latest
standards at our UK production plant. This means
our clients have the peace of mind that comes
with the knowledge they are acquiring a
completely up to date product that will give many
years of efficient and productive service," says Flexi
Narrow Aisle's
John Maguire. More articles from Narrow Aisle Flexi: | 
