Extending their reach
May 18th 2006

Originally perceived as something of a quirky niche product, the articulated forklift concept is now well established in the UK. The ability to load like a counterbalance combined with a capacity to work in very narrow aisles has made it a popular choice with buyers seeking to get the most from their storage cube.

Narrow Aisle Flexi has been producing VNA forklift trucks for some 30 years. During this time they have enjoyed considerable success in the home market but, with the number of forklifts sold in the UK likely to remain fairly static this year, Narrow Aisle has been developing a serious strategic assault on a variety of key overseas arenas which will lead to increased Flexi volumes during 2006.

“We identified new and growing markets that we know offer tremendous opportunities,” says John Maguire, the company’s sales and marketing director. “We exhibited at several European shows last year and were extremely encouraged by the response.”

Establishing a foothold in some of these fledgling sales territories will no doubt present Narrow Aisle Flexi with a host of unforeseen new challenges - fulfilling a recent Flexi order for a client in Azerbaijan threw-up several logistical problems all of which were successfully – albeit somewhat unconventionally – overcome.

Being among the pioneers of articulated forklift technology, it is fair to say that Narrow Aisle Flexi has always been a very design-led business. In the last 18 months the company has introduced Flexi HiMAX and Flexi GAS. Powered by LPG, Flexi GAS is the first LPGas powered articulated forklift truck with the ability work to in a 1762mm aisle. The HiMAX meanwhile brings the benefits of unguided VNA storage to hi-bay warehouse operators with lift heights upto 12metres. Both Flexi GAS and HiMAX were extremely well received in the UK and are on target to exceed sales forecasts, with shipments to Europe, USA, Asia and the southern hemisphere in 2006.

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