Independently-owned UK-based articulated forklift truck manufacturer, Flexi Narrow Aisle, has announced that in the first six months of 2012 orders for its Flexi range of articulated forklifts reached record levels.

Overall sales were up 60 per cent on the corresponding period last year.

This builds on the company's excellent performance in 2011 when annual global order intake reached an all-time high.

The company has achieved significant success in developing the international market. Flexis are now sold in over 40 countries worldwide through a distribution network which provides comprehensive after sales service and maintenance back-up.

"We are an internationally focused manufacturing company with great products and a respected brand and this is reflected in the growing number of overseas buyers who are investing in Flexi articulated truck technology," says John Maguire, sales and marketing director of Flexi Narrow Aisle.

UK sales are performing well too - with the logistics services, retail and manufacturing sectors being all key markets growing well.

The first Flexi articulated truck was launched in the early 1990s and since then over 5000 units have been sold throughout the world. Over the past five years the Flexi range has been developed significantly and the trucks can now lift loads weighing 2.5 tonnes and lift to heights of up to 13 metres.

The success of the articulated forklift concept has been built around the fact that its clever design allows it to load and unload trailers like a counterbalance forklift truck and work comfortably within very narrow aisles saving up to 50 per cent of space required without compromising productivity.

The Flexi range continues to be developed to cover the requirements of customers operating in hugely diverse industries.

"Each model in the range has been designed to offer reliable, safe and efficient operation to cover most industry requirements without resorting to 'customisation' of one product with the risks that this process can present," says John Maguire.

The fourth generation Flexi range - the Flexi G4 - has become the most popular articulated truck in Europe. Built on a standard design concept and platform, its design meets both US and European safety standards and. offers proven low maintenance costs and, therefore, low rental costs.