Feature Lift trucks
Articulated truck option helps seed company to grow at low cost
Thanks to the aquisation of a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 articulated lift truck, CN Seeds has been able to reconfigure its existing warehouse using narrow aisles in order to maximise available space and save the cost of building additional warehousing
ased in Ely, Cambridgeshire, CN Seeds supplies professional growers with a wide range of herb, vegetable and flower seeds. Seeds are expensive and if they are not stored properly, they can easily perish. In simple terms, they readily absorb moisture from the air, which shortens their life, so the relative humidity within CN’s warehouse has to be carefully controlled. However, thanks to consistent year on year sales growth, CN’s 45,000 sq ft humidity controlled warehouse at Ely was reaching capacity. Faced with the prospect of building a new store – and incurring the significant construction and ongoing running costs that would entail – CN decided to reconfigure its existing facility by narrowing the aisleways and introducing Flexi artic- ulated truck technology.
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Originally the store had been divided by two aisles with single pallet runs on the outside of each and two further back-to-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 the dehumidified warehouse.
The warehouse is now served by a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 AC model. “All rebuilt Flexis are specified to the latest standard at our UK produc- tion plant. Which means that our clients have the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that 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. The Flexi G4 AC is said to be one of the most popular articulated trucks in Europe. Built on a standard platform it offers low maintenance costs and low rental costs. Its unique 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 bat- tery for long shift working. No chains or slings are required during battery change over operations. Many cus- tomers 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
By using a Flexi VNA G4 truck, CN Seeds has been able to reconfigure its warehouse to use 1.8m wide aisles and maximise available space
High spec trucks chosen for cold storage C
eliminates the risk of the battery being dropped from height.
old Move, specialists in temperature controlled storage and distribution has chosen Toyota Material Handling UK to provide warehouse trucks to
support its operation. With three depot locations in the North West, Cold Move is able to offer specialist services in the temperature controlled stor- age and distribution sector including; 48,000 pallet spaces in its state-of- the-art frozen warehouse, blast freezing and specialist distribution through- out the UK. The new fleet includes BT Reflex reach trucks and BT Levio powered pallet trucks. The BT Reflex reach trucks are fitted with cold store cabs which are carefully designed to provide an effective working environ-
ment fully insulated from the cold conditions. The BT Levio ride-on powered pallet trucks feature a platform and fixed backrest which offers increased protection for the operator. In order to monitor and reduce operating costs Cold Move chose to implement a new Toyota battery change tugger, which enables quick battery changing providing maximum capability with minimal downtime and risk to operatives during battery change functions. Cold Move also employed the use of high frequency chargers which helps to reduce draw on electricity, reduce watering and improve carbon footprint. Toyota Material Handling UK
T: 0870 850 1400
www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk Materials Handling & Logistics SEPTEMBER 2011 Enter 352
At CN incoming orders arrive in bulk bags and are unloaded from trail- ers 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 than using a reach truck, which we had consid- ered,” 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 Flexi G4 AC rebuild programme offers the latest Flexi energy technol- ogy and safety features on a product that can save up to 30 per cent on the investment cost.
Flexi Narrow Aisle Tel: 0121 557 6242
www.flexi.co.uk
Enter 351 S7
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